The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-08-27
Thoughts Upon the Education and Ell.
eYati0n Of the COlOred Race.

Editors Press and Bdnner:. u.
The education Of the colored race does not
imply only the few hours pupllage that the
race receives daily, fora few months IN ayear.
The education Of this people, like all others,
depends upon their scholarship, husbandry
and economy.
Is acquired by literary attainment. by nus,
bundry, Is meant whatever may be acquired
by muscular brawn and experimental eXer-
tlon. BY ccOnOm l mean, frugal thrift IN
domestic concern frugality In general. .
These would seem to set forth three distinct
educational spheres, rather than name or par,
ticulariZc the attainlncnts essential 10 Sooa
education. Whatever appear In these three
general branches In the natural per'ou OF our
lives, are the proper requisites OF a good euu-
Tie elevation Of race depends upon the
practical application Of the broad principles
Of education either spiritually, morally or So
cially. Docs the colOred race possess all OF
the above mentioned general attachments
and application of principles? 1t Is surety
admissible to say no. How do | account lor
that? | account c~ircumstantlally. pecullariY
and Internationally, and OF course, so VisiDle
that 1t needs no comment. But from those
circumstances, would they be Justiiasie 10
remain In that condition? No, nor 40 tney
think 80, the great difficulty Is. that they ave
not been properly taught, for py observation
1t can he readily seen that, Ike any otler
race. they need teachers of ability and integ-
rity literally, spiritually and socially.
or course we are bound TO acknowledge
from our sense OF right and wrong, that our
teachers, preachers and sociolOglstS nave Deen
I'm q measure deficient or indifferent: ineTc
be some exceptions among theseVelal GLASSES
of teachers just dcnolninated Dut IL Is oy IIe
average or majority that we are ever 10 pe
measured or balanced In the civic equilibrium
Of races, And, while this must be regarded as
q fact, the next consideration Is, what avs
are most necessary and applicable, by inc
coditlcation and practical enlorceinenI ol
-..t,t~l, ,,o =, q. n rrI Va of thIc healthy anu elC-
waiting socially? By'a law not written, Q;e.
not lcgislativeJ Are the legislative laws IN
sufficient? No, they are good enough Gut'
they want enforcing. Why do not the civil
are not to institute nor encourage litigation,
br,t rather to decide between litlgants. by lar
the best plan Is, to so socially organize as W
make personal abuse, secret violation OF Inc
laws OF the land, petty thens, blgalnles, &C.
violation Of the rules OF society,",
Throw aside friendship of q vicious nature,
castaway that dcleterious pusillanlinlty
which looks upon the covering. or the moral
dcpravities Of the race , rs a G m wrai mani ou.
ncr can 1t be effected? By social education OF
n mild and persuasive, though socially, Iorcl-
Bile and Discriminate nature.
The object being to make our peopio z en-
tue, looking upon 1t as sacred personal ornu-
ment. 1t Is only by patiently finding OUT,
and scrupulously observing the benehcent
laws of the Creator, that man can rise, rom
grade to grade in the scale Of civilized beings.
While / joyously bchold the increasing aoil-
ity of the teachers OF the common Scnool LOT
the colored race in this county, ana conse-
0ucntly the increasing intellectual! develop.
mrnt or the scholastic population. l have yet
to acknowledge the regret, 1 feel, on seeing,
that the growth of that high moral endow'
mcnt. Sclf-rcspcctO OF u social ana clFlllZllG
character, Is very tardy. Such us would teaeh
properly to apply the knowledge acquired I'D
opp,mnn SchnnlS. Learn n,lrcntS their SOCIAL
duty to their children, and children tneits 10
parents. The sense, necessity anu oolleatlOh
Of an orderly social unity. The 1orcc ana 90.
legation Of the laws of our country anu The
ORR duty to the church Of God, the practice
Of such religious and moral virtue rs Will III
| us alike .ur the duties Of our country ana lhe
abode OF happy spirits. Understanding TN
maxim, "IIOnor all men, honor the hlnE,,,
which Is alike the lesson OF religion and PHI
Idcsire to urge the beglnni..g of an organi
Zation for the civilization or my own race
such, as has exhibited Itself In the elite o
our white friends; embracing every art am
science already known. or which industr..
may hereafter develop, accidcntelicit, or tim
unfold. ,,,
by the emitted effort of those PREACHERS. sclloc
teachers, fathers u mothers, who look iol
ward to q day or purer mor:llS, more perfec
education and n healthier social position, D
bringing the youths of our country in til
bonds of moral integrity, thus enabling thel
to cultivate the advance ments made by com
mon s,:hpols and to he requirement Of highe
education. We could afford to give every
thing, (werc 1t possi'1le,D for uprightneSs {
conduct, noblcncss and elevation of charat
ter. The aged country in which we live, VIII
the example OF Il great race OF people belor
us. demand mon and womcn, In whose near
| thoughts and deeds, native and s~pontaneou
must begin to grow, or we will never be see
amid that brilliant array Of talent, of gcniul
ami of social virtue, which illulnincs the CT
clcS of the elite of our country.
The gems of morality must be planted J
the moral nature while young. early In III
That is the soil in which it flplrishes IN
=: gathers strength. slirer End deeper, Train u !
young, the innocent in heart and son., i
!: """" ne smi .bls % isy il pt Al IS SUI '; si %Ss