Daily Republican., 1879-09-11
THIRD EDITION.
WtlminglOn Abrosd-1ts People
HIS schools. etc.


Wtlmingsen Abresd-Its People
ITS schools, etc.
MKssRs EDIroRs:-During my recen
tour through some Of our adjacsn
States q would like to say sister states
but they disown Delaware, namely
Pennsylvania, Jersey, New York, Conn.
Mass, etc. l was worried almost :
despair by the frsqueus and piquan
acoostings TO whiuh was subjected, il
reference to the people and their doing
in Delaware-this state, was the tar
get.-As you may perceive at q glance
Twas thrust into position worse T..
far than embarrassing; and If l attempt
cd TO pailate or extsnuats the condi
tion Of things at home, l would b.
sharply intercepted by the remark thai
ave people out here read the news
papers and know just what is going on
and We are borriied at the transactions
of your people," and would finally FL
the whole situation in Delaware adjec
lively as "uncivil." One Injured Il
Spartan hardiho0d or celebrated for sto
uicism even, could not but be moved
eth T to desperation or profound pity
aoco ding as his knowledge of the jus
tics of such definition would justify
I, tn refore, ''ipso facto' Of the condi
tlon of things at home in Delas are
dar~a not assume belligerent rtfront
cry, pre.-rripg to follow the wisdom O
the aphorism, 'ths easiest way is the
bss,,' hence, pitied myself to the ex
trenie. but pitied my state and city 4
great deal more. Ysu can readily ap-
piec ate the forcs of the foregoing hy-
periodical expression. / am sure.
1t would seem that my auditors felt
that there was no reason for repressing
anv inquiry that their active and in
ten ely criticising minds suggested in
reference to any and all the general
and mu uicipal interests Of the city and
eavir"ns, the State government, the
Courts Of justice, all the way from the
Supreme down to the Mayors; the Chas.
Green case; the biased, DISTINGUISHING
assessment system, etc., etc., and last
ly the school system, particularly in
reference TO colored education, was
most rigidly and exhaustively review
cd and commented upon. The forms
an phases Of their questions thereto
relating, reached psrplexity in the
acme; thick and fast they came to the
contrary Notwithstanding, and no no
tice was apparently given to the spirit
l tried to display tnat would have done
immense credit to the moral caliber of
Dj0yen - OF old.
A ftw of the questions may not bs
out of place: Query you leading col
Ored men Of your city appealed to the
Board OF Education for graded school,
did not your" Answer-Yes We did.
Query, what was your object for sp-
plying for such thing, what did you
want ?" Answer-Simply to have the
course of studies 80 revised and graded
that scholars might go forward and not
be forever studying the same lessons, or
BE- compelled 70 leave the city to get
their meagre wants supplied, a thing
they have to do if they want passahe
education. "Why, are there no gram
mar or high schools or acadamies in
your city" Answsr-Yes, but they
are for whites, and it seems to be
against the religious principles and
philanthropy of the Wilmington people
to open their school doors to black
children. " What do you say is that
truel" Answer-Only too true. Then
your petition met the greatest favor
most certainly, did it not?" Answer
None whatever. " You astonish us !"
what was their objection based OIL ?"
Acknowledging tenable or sensible,
only cast prejudice. " Your State and
its people are sorrowfully behind the
age and We deeply deplore their condi
ton. We have thrown open the doors
of our schools to any body or establish
cd safabls schools for both races, think
ing shas the most philosophical and ct
fectivs way of crushing this hateful
pref udice and to cvilize and christian
ize community"
Now, gentlemen, | have given you
as much as my time and your patience
will allow. of sketch of some of the
| encountered and in
ending this writing, | must tell you
that was actuatej 10 write by two
factors, namely lst, the nondescript
farce of last Tuesday, known by the
misapplied honor Of an election, and
ID, by reading the late report of TIL,
SUP erintendent of Schools, which ap.
peared in the REPUBLICAN, on the 9th
ult. Forsooth, such an election farce
as took place here on Tuesday, the 2i
inst, is viewed by the public mind as
belonging amongst the list OF bad things
that our fellow men 80 often do in this
,ity and State, and the Northern aud
Eastern worlds conclusion is that We
,an't do anything noble, virtuously
and fair here, and hence the whole
State is stigmatized and ridiculed Sc
verely. l heartily agree with you in
laying that the superintendent s report
lis one of interest &c ;" but | must in
he same breath ask you to agree with
ne, in a like manner, that the interest I
annot possibly reach one whose mind t
md soul are hankering for a sameness +
f school advantages for both human |
aces, 80, the interest can be only g
TASTY felt. a
When l reflect that I, IS years ago, '
7as compelled to seek educational ad, t
antags in good old Pennsylvania to t
ct my rnodicum Of academic training, G
can't make sufficient draught upon '
~ imagination to catch even the s
b hade of shadow of an interest in the '
eport, not being able to trace a"y t
marks of an educational encouragement
Or my race; and what is more hupiliat.
ng, cannot see scarcely any Improve
lent in the school system in favor of t
olored education in Delaware. TO say i,