New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-04-28
1NrELI1aENoB WITHOUT scHooL1Ne.

INTELLIGENCE WITHOUT SCHOOLING.
1t is common reproach to the negro
that he is ignorant. Waving the ques-
ton whose fault it is that he is unlearned,
we would suggest that the lack of book
learning does not necessarily constitute
| ignorance. Before the invention of print
ing, when book was worth farm, some
times an estate, there were men high in
rank, power and intelligence, whose prac-
teal wisdom raised them to the position
of statesmen, quite as ignorant of mere
book learning as a plantation negro. By
converse with other minds, by thought on
great subjects, by the weight of heavy
responsibilities, their intellectual facul-
ties were developed; and, although in
these days of free schools, newspapers
and cheap literature, there are compare
lively few desirous of an education who
can not obtain one, yet there are among
the colored people many who find it now
too late 10 make up for the disadvantages
of their youth. To these the new RESPONSE
bilities of freedom, the rush of events,
the dread of everything that might en-
danger their dearly priced freedom all
these have constituted an education,
sharpening their faculties, strengthening
their judgment, and cultivatipg all their
mental powers.
OF course we do not propose to UNDER
value learning, or to intimate that any
amount Of natural intelligence, even
though sharpened by experience in bust
ness, elevated in tone by the culture of
Christianity, and expanded by intercourse
with men, eau surpass or equal in intel
lectual power the same natural intelli-
gence, improved by education. In fact
there is no danger that such fallacy
should ever obtain, even among the most
conceited of ''smart" illeterate men. On
the contrary, the tendency among such is
to overrate the improving effect of a
classical education" and to imagine
that if they are SO ''smart" without that
what would they have been
with it. But this is from the purpose,
which is to call attention to the extraor-
binary development of practical intelli-
gence which has taken place in our col
ored population within the past ten yearF.
1t is positively amazing to hear some of
them talk. Their clear statements of the
existing state of public affairs, their astute
analysis of the characters Of public
men and the tendency of measures;
their rushing and burning sloquence in
discussing the wrongs and the rights of
their race, would be listened to
with open -mouthed surprise by some of
their self-styled superiors who know not
he mental power which may spring from
the exercise of the heart We speak not
now of our colored legislators who have
learned the rules of Legislative bodies and
can use accurately the technical terms
connected Herewith, but of the poor and
and simple, occupying subordinate, some
times even mental positions. Among
them the flower Of wisdom springs spon-
taneously along the unculiivated high
road Of their daily duties, and brings
forth plentiful fruit in their eager desire
that their children shall enjoy the bless
ings Of which they have been deprived.
To achieve this result thousands Of this
devoted and unselfsh race are now lead
ing lives of heroic selfsacrifce, showing
By their daily walk and the innumerable
instances Of self-surrender which make it
sublime, that they appreciate schooling"
If they have It not, and are resolved to
give il to their children.