Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-11-29
EDUCATE THE SOUTH.

Bricks Without Straw" advocates the
appropriating of government funds for
education in the South. This appeal for
government aid is echoed in pamphlet
before US, published by the unanimous
vote Of the City Council of Charleston,
South Carolina. II consists Of the edu-
cational report of the mayor of that
city.
Il is very evident that the late Presi-
dent Garfield foresaw the necessity Of
government aid in this direction. He
said in his inaugural The census has
already sounded the alarm in the appall-
ing figures which mark how dangerously
high the tide Of ilEteracy has risen among
our voters and their children. To the
South this question is Of supreme impor-
lance. But the responsibility for the
existence Of slavery did not rest upon
the South alone. The nation itself Is
responsible for the extension Of the suf-
rage, and is under special obligations TO
aid in removing the illiteracy which 1t
has added to the voting population II,
Is not necessary TO rehearse the causes
which resulted in giving the ballot to the
freedman. A million ignorant black
men. debased and degraded by slavery,
were suddenly tured into voters, with all
the rights and privileges accorded to the
bss, and highes, in the land.
Il is useless TO say that the South KEEP,
these men in Ignorance, and now should
care for them or take the consequences.
The whole nation IS in peril from such a
horde Of lhtera;e sovereiens. If it Is
the duty Of the South TO educate her IL
i.crate. she Is unfortunately unable 70
perform that duty. Her plantations and
her business were destroyed by the war,
while many Of her active, enterprising,
business men were killed, manned or rem
dered helpless by poverty. To supper,
local government, and restore lost prosper
ity upon the new basis, taxes her utmost
energies. In certain sections, something
has been done towards educating the
blacks. In Charleston, during the year
1850, there was expended for educational
purposes, the sum Of SOL 900 besides
special appropriations Cor high schools
and for the city college. This tax was
three and a half mills on the valuation,
for the support Of common schools, while
B0ston's school tax, for the support OF
her whole extensive educational establish
ment. was but two and half mills.
While Charleston IS thus heavily taxed,
her schools are oveTcrowded, and there
are not accommodations for much over
half of those who should attend. No
doubt other sections Of the south are
making as heroic efforts, but the sudden
doubling Of their school population, with
q decrease Of one-half in property yalu-
alton, renders them powerless to supply
the demand for educational facilities.
Now that the South sees It's needs in
this direction, and asks for aid, a good
opportunity Is afforded the government 10
show a generous spirit toward that SEC
ton. We could not send government
money into the South TO repair the ravages
Of war, for that would encourage rebel
lion, but a distribution of educational
funds on the basis of illiteracy as shown
BY the last census. would relieve the Peo-
pie Of a great burden, and send funds
where they are most needed. The prop
osition to Sc, apart the remainder Of the
public domain for educational parPoses Is
an excellent one. A national Board OF
Education should control the distribution
of funds appropriated for this purpose,
and also enforce such wholesome laws as
10 prevent the incresce Of illiteracy.