National Republican., 1880-12-31
The Two Civilizations.

are among those who entertain the firm
belief that in this Nation, which prides it.
self upon its. progress the door of educa-
tion should be thrown wide open TO all
classes, grades, distinctions and colors
that mingle in American society, and
form the sub-structure of the free institu-
tions of the American Republic. Unfor-
for almost century this Ma
tion has been marked by two civilizations,
which existed sectionally, and were di-
vided by the line that separated the in
stitution of slavery from those States in
which it had long since disappeared. In
the slave territory the door was closed
against education for the colored race,
which was numerically predominant
The wealthy whites educated their
sons and daughters in part by pre-
ceptors within their own mansions
until they were prepared for the higher
walks of education, and then they were
to great extent transferred to the col
leges and scminaiies of the free States to
receive the finishing touches of culture
and refinement. The "poor white trash"
and the slave Jared alike in the South, so
far as the means of education were con-
ccrned. No free schools invited either
class to the benefits and blessings Of men
tai culture, and both were held in igno-
rance until the South rebelled against the
Government, and under the process of
subjugation of that rebellion the institu-
ton of slavery became extinct, and four
millions of slaves were set free and made
citizens.
Since the close Of the war, with few
honorable exceptions, the eX-slaveholders
have clung to their ante-war prejudices
against the free education of the people,
and hence have adhered TO the policy
which declares in substance that educa-
ton is not good for the poor man and his
offspring, be he white or black. In this
way it is proposed to perpetuate the civil
i2ation of the South, which was born of
slavery, and make it distinct from that of
the North, which is based upon popular
education. We had the pleasure of read
ing quite recently in the Richmond (Va.)
Wing very sensible and well-written
editorial on the question of popular edu-
cation, which encourages the hope that
civilization and popular education are
permcating that section, though slowly
and not without obstacles, as is evidenced
by the readiness of the Southern anti-edu-
cationists to seize upon the views of Mr..
Richard Grant White in his recent de-
scription of the public school question as
an argument against popular education.
The Vicksburg (Miss.) Commercial is de-
lighted with Mr. Whites expressed opin-
ions that there is much more crime in
communities in which schools are abun-
dant than in those in which there are
few schools. This view is suited to the
taste of that grade of civilization which
is hostile to popular education. The
Meridian (NIiss.) Mercury is in ecstasies
over Mr.. Whites opinions, and declares
that " the public school system is Yam
lce importation, forced into our system,
as other novel innovations of reconstruc-
ton, to aitlict Southern men and women" F."
insisting that taxation for the mainte-
nance of public schools is unjust Other
papers in the South join in this prejudiced
clainor against popular education for the
reason that their ideas of civilization lead
to class society, in which the aristocracy
rule the illiterates by the millions, and
which protracts that power upon which
the South has rested its political hopes.
All observation and experience teach that
where ignorance is most dense, crime and
outlawry are most rife.
We are of those who believe that it is
the duty of the Government to place
within the reach of every American child,
black or white, native or foreign-born, the
rudiments of good English educa-
ton. We have serious doubts of the wis.,
dom and beneficence of that policy which
educates in the higher branches at pub.
lie expense. The rudimcnts should be
provided for, while the ornamental cul.
ture ofthe masses should be left to theii
own efforts when they have been started
out in life fully prepared for its ordinary
pursuits and business. Educate the peo.
pie at public expense up to this point
and then leave them to work their pas
sage in future advancement. In this way
the two civilizations which now prevail
in this country may be blended in one
without sectional lines to mark theil
boundaries. The whites and blacks
North and South, should have equal ad
vantages for acquiring what is known n.
a common-school or rudimental educa
tion at public expense, and then the Gov
ernmcnt will have discharged its Who'll,
duty to all the people of the United States
in the way of popular education.
The Mcnacing Peril of the South.
Instead of acting wisely and treatin,
the colored citizen with measure of jus
tice in both business and political relations