The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-12-09
A CHANGE MUCH NEEDED.

A CHANGE MUCH NEEDED.
Ii recent events count for aught,
we may cast hopeful glance forward
to the not far distant day when the
solid South" will be numbered with
the many cratic things of the dead
past. For quarter of century this
section o: country has been depressed
and ground down under Democratic
rule, while under Republican govern
ment the Northern States have been
building up their schools, churches,
manufactures, and agricultural indus.
tries to an almost incomprehensible
extent. The south has industries
that should have been developed into
wide proportions and monster enter
prises since the war of the Rebellion,
and for such IA state of affairs ample
time has elapsed.
And why has this degree of pros
perity not been witnessed I 1t is
simply because lawlessness, Incidence
and indifference have sliced hold
upon the people, and in such Il com.
munity nothing can lie expected to
thrive. They hold out no induce.
ments for capital to invest, while the
reverse IS true--the manner in which
their almost every form of State and
municipal government is controlled
drives people from their midst and
imbues their minds with the idea that
to steer clear of such an estate is the
wiser course.
The manner in which the dominant
party of the South has succeeded IN
maintaining control of the political
affairs of the several impregnable
States where Democratic bayOnets
have been used to serve their ends, is
one of the prime causes of the deplor.
able condition of that unfortunate
section to-day. Had more attention
been given to the upbuilding of
schools and various branches of
American industry, the spectacle
would have presented very different
aspect, and one more becoming the
intelligence of many of its leading
men whose main ambition seems to
be to keep control of politics and al
low the rising generation to grow up
in ignorance.
The rapid development of the North
in the past twenty years is due in
very considerable measure to the ex.
cellent educational advantages afford
ed. for where you find good schools
there yOu will also find intelligence
and thrift-inventive genius and
capital working had in hand in com.
mon cause. Every child here has a
grand chance for education. There are
ten million children enrolled in the
schools of the Northern States, whose
minds are being directed by nearly
two thousands teachers. At least
nine months of school Is held out of
every twelve, and the system has al.
most if not quite reached its highest
development.
To be sure the South has suffered
from the effects of the Rebellion, and
in that particular was called upon to
surmount difficulties not thrust upon
the North. But has the proper effort
been put forth to accelerate the
growth of this temporary injunction!
Let us compare figures with the above,
and then draw conclusions. In all
the sixteen States there is some sort
of school system in operation. in
West Virginia and Maryland the
pupils do not get more than four or
five months schooling yearly. and in
the more southern States, taken as a
whole, it is claimed they do not get
more than years schooling in a life
time. One great reason for this lack
of interest in school matters Is be.
cause the reigning classes and the
professions do not favor them un.
reservedly. and because there is a
lack of powerful press to sustain
them.
The want of thorough system OF
schools has resulted in the degrade
ton of labor, and an utter lack of
skilled labor. 1t has likewise pro.
duced host of ignorant voters. and
so long as these states remain under
the control of the present Indifferent
officials, Just 80 long will the drag in
educational affairs continue.
But there is bright prospect for a
change, and the sooner it comes the
better. The recent result in Virginia
is but forerunner of coming events.
Even the heretofore fortified and
double.barricaded commonwealth of
Mississippi threatens political disrup.
ton, and If the better element of
other Southern States can be brought
to the surface long enough to root
out this sleeping and dying Demo-
cracy and place live Republicans at
the head of their affairs, we will see
wonderful progress in the material
interests of that long neglected Sec
ton. a total reyolutionization In the
present delectable school affairs, and
q lovely country made enticing and
inviting to capital and intelligent
labor.