The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-12-16
CON NGRESSI0NAL.
interesting Discussions in both
Houses Yesterday.
A Remarkable Speech on Education
by Brown, Of Georgia.
Senator Vest Goes out of his Way to
Mention "That old ScoundreI,
Iohn Brown"
The Army Appropriation Bill the
Text for Some Eloquence
in the House.
SENATE.

civil service OF the United States and tC
promote the efficiency thereof. Also 9
bill to prohibit Federal officers, claimants
and contractors from making or receiving
assessments or contributions for political
purposes.
Mr.. Gall offered resolution instructinS
the Judiciary committee to inquire into
and report uuon the alleged abuse oi
power by the U. S. Courts. Laid on the
table, 10 be called up by Mr.. Call here
after.
The Senate resumed the consideration
OF the bill devoting part OF the proceeds
OF the saies-ot public lands to public edu
cation, and Mr.. Bnruside, its introducef,
advocated it. He was followed by MIR.
Morrill, also in support OF the bill.
AN ABLE AND LIBERAL gPEEcH.
Senator Brown followed Mr.. Morrill, iu
support Of the bill. He pointed out that
nearly all Of our prominent men, from
Washington TO Garfield, had been Of poor
parentsge, and had by their thirst Ior
knowledge and industry worked their
way to the top. Doubtless thousands o!
boys OF equal capacity with these had re.
mained mute and inglorious through the
absolute impossibility OF overcoming M
favorable circumstances and obtain
ing the necessary education to lit them
above the mass. II was wise TO do away
with this lack OF facilities, and enable
every boy to sharpen his faculties to
the utmost.
Mr.. Brown referred to the great advau.
tage enjoyed by New England in compar.
isOn with other sections OF the country,
by reason OF her supremacy In education.
She had furnished or educated most OF the
men who had controlled our public affairs.
The growth Of Prussia, and German pre-.
dominance, were explicable by the edu-
cation OF the whole mass OF the people,
makirg every individual man an intelli.
gent aid to the State in war or peace.
There were special reasons why the South
should favor this bill. The Senator from
Vermont (MosrilD had referred to the
alarming amount Of illiter1cy in the United
States, but had not analyzed it. Uniortu-
nately it WAS impropOrtiouately great in
the South. One reason for this was,
under the old system OF Southern society
more attention was given to the education
OF the ruling classes than TO that OF the
whole msss. Another reason was the
non.eduCation Of slaves He did not de-
sire 10 discuss the moral aspect OF slavery.
In former days every body believed it to
he right. The people OF New England,
who imported the negroes, as well as the
Southern people who bought them, be.
lieved it right. He merely wished to point
out that there seemed to be Providence
in the way the black race had reached its
higher place. They had greatly advanced
intellectually before the abolition ol
slavery, but there was necessarily ltmita.
ton to such progress under the old sYs
TEN. There was but one way Ia
abolish slavery, and the two sections we're
arrayed against each other on the subject,
II the AbolitiOnists had offered to buy
and pay for the slaves, the offer would NOT
have been accepted, nor would the whole
people have submitted to taxation ioI
that purpose, claiming their right under
the Constitution to hold the slaves. Prov.
idenCe knew how to carry out its own de-
signs. The passions and prejudices oi
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 result OF the war, and while
neither side contemplated the abolition oil
slavery at the beginning, the termination
OF the struggle was its abolition. Thus
another step was taken In this wonderful
development OF intelligence in this race,
From prisoners OF African chiefs they be,
came American citizens. It was dangerous
10 euiranChise so much ignorance, aud the
danger was continuous. All now agreed
that the blacks should be educated, but
the South was too poor to do it alone.
They lost $1,000 ,00O, 900 in value OF slaves,
which they d-constitutionally before
the war. They spent 5000, ,0000 900 more
in maintaining their armies, and immense
amounts by the destruction OF property.
He thanked the trainers Of the bill Tor
providing that the greatest amount ol
money appropriated by the bill should 60
to the States where there WAS the most II.
literacy. He complimented the negroes
on their self control and peacelulness un.
der their new political condition. He had
more belief than hehad once held in their
future advancement among the races.
The whole country was interested
in the intelligence OF the colored popula'
ton. There was complaint that the
negroes were cheated at the polls. Ignor'
ancs can be echea;ed anywhere. Educate
these people up to knowledge OF theiI
rights and OF the form aud spiritot oul
government and there will be less danger
He hoped that the blacks and whites alike
would ne educated in the tone OF Repub
llican institutions Rs originally formed
They must be taught 10 preserve not Only
the Integrity OF the nation but that OF thl
States. Since this has been and must b.
A union Of States, whatever might b.
taught Of the merits Of the war, let all mel
do what can be done for the common ad
vaucement oi the country. Mr.. BrowI
lthen described the establishment and con
duct Of q, college in Georgia under tho lant
grant &C. Of 1859 II was doing much goo
in disseminating practical kuowledG
among the colored people. He did no
think the constitutional objections I
the bill valid. Some said this WAS
State, not national matter. Under th
strict States rights Interpretation OF tn
Constitution prior to the war this wa
doubtless true, but we don't live Ander tn
d, Constitution We lived under then. Th
amendments made at the termination {
: the struggle have greatly enlarged tn
powers OF this government. Again III
3 objection does not apply since the generi
Q government has always and undoubtedI
!. had the right 10 dispose OF the proceeds
: public lands. He reiterated his belief thl
I; Republican institutions could be Il
:, Sured by the spread OF education, and O.
!, peAled TO the Republicans Of all parts
Q the country TO secure general benefit |
= these means,
N. 1Naa1 ~ hta Haatr ay, N1a q