The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-28

dren. II this proposition is an insult to
the colored race, it is also an Insult to
the white race, for IL proposes to treat
both races precisely alike, and the white
children are to have no more right to
attend the colored schools than the
colored children will have to attend the
white schools. The separation IL not
made for the purpose Of putting an
affront upon one race or the other. but
to avoid and remove from the school
room those race antipathles. of the exist
enoe and aggressiveness OF which the
expressions Of the colored delegation
are striking and melancholy proof.
These antipathies exist, and whether
they were created by God or are
tho outgrowth of circumstances.
they must be recognized and dealt with
30 that the cause Of education and the
interests OF society may be as little
affected by them as possible. With
separate schools, tho children OF both
races may receive all the benefit from
our public schools they are capable OF
receiving; with mixed schools the race
antagonisms will necessarily, In the
future as they have In the past. In great
part. destroy the benefits OF the public
school system, and convert q public
blessing into public evil.
the Democratic government OF Lou
isiana ia disposed to act with great lib
crafty In this matter. The burden OF
sustaining the free schools. and 1t is no
light one, falls almost entirely on the
white people. The colored people pay
very insignificant school Tax, and yet
no one, not even the EXTREMIST Demo-
orat, has suggested that there should be
any discrimination against the colored
children. The Democratic party is
pledged to free school system for all
the children of the State. But It is not
pledged to mixed schools and social
equality. It will carry out It's pledges
In letter and spirit; It will afford Che
white and colored children equal edu-
cational facilities. and 1t will accord
whites and blacks equal rights before
the law. Ii the oolored people are not
content with this and with the good
will and aid and example Of the whites.
to seek to educate their children and
work out the destiny OF their race In
quiet and peace and obedience to law,
they will have only themselves to blame
for their failure to profit by the bless |
ings Of freedom and good government
There is difference of opinion as to |
the status of the colored race. We may |
believe the negro incapable Of reaching |
and sustaining high grade Of civiliza-
ton; but there are men Of larger expe-
renee and greater wisdom than ours
who believe that he is, and that his
present condition OF ignorance and
degradation Is the consequence Of GEN.
turies OF servitude. This Ia an ethno-
logical question and should have no
part in our political discussions. We
the fact that Providence has
thrown the white and black races to-
yether In this country In about equal
numbers, and 1t Is claimed by large
,nd intelligent portion of mankind
hat the blacks are capable, by instruc.
ion, of reaching the plane of civiliza-
ion occupied by the whites. Circum-
stances have thus made 1t the duty Of
he white people Of Louisiana, as an en-
ightened and Christian community,
o give the colored race an oppor.
unity to prove this proposition and
o aid them In doing 80. 1t Is the
purpose Of our government and PEG.
lie to give them this opportu-
,ity. But IL the colored people begin
heir experiment by attempting to die
ate the conditions upon which thcy
will accept aid and encouragement; II
hey shall threaten the peace OF society
It every step they take, and organize
ebellion against every institution the
wisdom and experience Of the gov
establishes. but which does
lot conform to their aggressive pre-.
udices. they will make only retrograde
teps. and before half a dozen years
lave passed they will give to history
mother melancholy illustration Of the
Of their race to rise above
he level of savages or slaves.
BERNAU AND THE BACKBONE.