The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-12-23

bought Them believed it right. He merely
wished to point out that there seemed to be a
Providence in the way the black race had
reached its higher plane. They had greatly
advanced intellectually before the abolition to
such progress under the old system There
was but one way to abolish slavery, and the
two sections were arrayed against each other
on the subject. Ifthe Aboltionists had offer
ed TO buy and pay for the slaves, the offer
would not have been accepted; nor would the
people have submitted to taxation for that
purpose, claiming their right under the Con-
stitution to hold slaves Providence knew
how to carry out His own designs The
passions and prejudices of both sides were
aroused, and the only way to eradicate slavery
was to tear it out by the roots. The institution
was staked on the results of the war; and while
neither side contemplated the abolition of
slavery at the beginning, the termination OF
the struggle was its abolition. Thus another
step was taken in this wonde. full development
OF this race; from prisoners Of African conflicts
they became American citizens 1t was dan
gerous to entranchse so much ignorance, and
the danger was continuous All acknowledged
that the blacks should be educated, but this
the South was too poor to do alone. Ihey lost
two billions OF dollars in the value of slaves,
which they held constitutionally before the
war. They spent two billions in maintaining
their armies and immense amounts by the
destruction OF property. He THANKED the franz
ers OF the bill tor providing that the greater
amount of the money appropriated by the bill
should go to the States where there was the
most illlteracy. He compllmented the negroes
upon their self control and peaceableness I'M
der their new condition. He had more belief
than he once had In their future advancement
among the races. The whole country was in
terested in the intelligence OF the colored pop
ulatlon There Was complaint that tue negroes
were cheated at the polls Ignorance Can be
cheated anywhere Educate those people up
TO knowledge of their rights and OF the form
and spirit OF our government, and there Will
be less and less danger He hoped blacks and
whites alike would be educated In the love OF
republican institutions as originally formed,
They must be taught to preserve not only the
integrity OF the nation, but that OF States;since
this has been and must be a union OF States.
Whatever might be thought OF the merits of
the war, let all now do what can be done for
the common advancement Of the country
Mr.. Brown then described the establishment
and conduct of the college in Georgia under
the Land Grant act OF 1852 1t was doing much
IN the dissemination of practical knowledge
among the common people. He did not think
the constitutional objections to the bill valid.
Some said this was state, not national matter.
Under the strict states rights Interpretation OF
the Constitution prior 10 the war, that was
doubtless true, but we do not live under the
Constitution we lived under then. Laws made |
at the termination of the struggle have very |
greatly enlarged the powers or this govern
ment, and it has always and undoubtedly had |
the right to dispose of the proceeds OF the pub
lie lands. He reiterated his belief that the re-
publican institutions could best be insured by |
the spead OF education, and appealed to repre- /
sentatives OF all parts OF the country to secure |
general benefit by this means.
Mr. Brown stood at desk upon the Repub- /
lican side of the chamber and faced the Repub- I
lican members while speaking, but he was lis
tened to with marked attention by ali present.