The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-07-28
The Separation of the Public
Schools on the Color Line.
Is it Yielding to Slave Born Prejudices
or Wise Policy
Ely EMERSON BENTLEY.

of New Orleans separating the public
schools on the coler line gives rise to
many suggestions worthy of earnest
consideration by all citizens of Lou
isiana. It is the initial step of a policy,
which, if unrebuked, will control
throughout the State. Is it dictated
by wisdom, OF the expression of slave
born prejudices Let all feelings OF
partisanship or sectionalism be set
aside. and the matter viewed on its
merits.
The Democratic party has acquired
control of the State government. The
administration is sworn to support
the laws. The laws forbid the separa-
ton of schools. The City Board of
New Orleans has ordered separate
schools. Will the Governor execute
the law AS yet there is no intima-
ton that he will, and there is no
Democratic demand that lie shall.
What is it to take an oath to do
thing and then fail or refuse to do
it ? Certainly it is something we can
not commend. 1t does not inspire
a respect for the law or its admins
ira 80 1t does not conform to Il
high ndard of public morals. The
Democ ltic party pledged itself to an
impartial administration of the law.
1t could not plead ignorance of either
the spirit or letter. Now what is the
honorable course for that party to
pursue If an individual gives his
note or promise to pay on demand,
and afterward repudiates or evades
it, we apply to him II stigma. Shall
the party commanding the intelli-
gence of Louisiana be adjudged on II
different basis ?
The proposition appears clear
enough that when one involuntarily
promises to do any thing, he should
be held to the performance of the OBJ
legation. If Louisiana Democracy
disapprovcd of existing laws its
pledges should have been more care
fully worded, and the first step on
acquisition to power should have
been the lawful ahrogation of obn"x,
ions statutes. But since it has failed
to do this it should faithfully admin
ister the laws, until through the legiti
mate operation of public opinion they
arc annulled. The constitution pre-
scribes method for amendment, ant
the Legislature may grant an oppor
tunity for an expression by popular
vote.
The wisdom of this line of policy
} would consist in the maintaining o
, complete confidence between the adj
ministration and the people, and III
violence charged against impulses o
I, common honesty. The attempted
administration of an unpopular law
l would result in its speediest condem
nation and repeal and no scriou
, grievance, if one ensued, could Ion.
continue.
1t is idle to attempt to Justify
failme to administer the public
school law on the plea that its cxecu
5 ton is not demanded by any consid
) cradle number of the people. w
have seen that in anticipation of
: separation of schools, over 500 repre-
: sentative, intelligent, wealthy, prop
:, erty-holC ing colored citizens prompt
/, ly protested against the injustice G
7 the measure. 1t is delusion to be
l lieye the petitioners were not in nc
cord with the great majority of til
colored people Of the State. Hereto
5 fore the law, being unquestioned, wa
J administered by local option, will
:. scarcely an exception. In deferenc
to deep rooted prejudices, which onl
< time can fully erase, in some comm
f mites the people of their own accor
: consented to the attendance of thei
e children in separate schools in OIL
n ers, for the same reason, children {
n both races were guided by one inclina
ton. There was no antagonism {
the lawful rights ofany in this course
for they were voluntarily held
:, allegiance to be exercised justly an
peacea6ly as public opinion gay
!, warrant. Does this policy not con
mend itself to the advocates of loct
self-soverument, as a primary for