The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-31

ficiency of these children demonstrates the
fact that the only difference between the black
and the white child is in the color of the skin
and that there is no degree oftrainlng (which
white child is capable that the black child is
not also. These children are solving a prob
lem here which has puzzled the best minds of
the United States, and what blessing this
illustration would be to the children of my
country could this school be transplanted as
an example of what freedom of action and ed
ucation does for the colored child. The intel
ligence displayed by these children and their
careful training by the schoolmaster illustrate
the great difference between the influences,
freedom and slavery. A great section of the
United States would look upon this school to-
day with wonder and amazement, while an
other section would see in these evidences OF
intelligence the denial of the assertion that ne
groes are not capable Of selfgoverDmenta and Of
becoming good citizens. am as much gratified
at your system of education and methods of
training as am at what | see. You are teach
ing these children to become good citizens; you
are putting in their minds the means oftaking
care of themselves both civilly and politically,
and no man is to-day capable of estimating
the value OF that learning to every little child
here present. The rudiments of an education
is the foundation of all usefulness. When ed
ucatioD is acquired as an auxiliary to industry
mankind prospers; when it is taught so ae to
increase idleness. then mankind suffers. I
thank you, both children and master, for this
Illustration OF what can be done for the col
ored child where freedom and proper training
go hand in hand"
DEMOCRATIC OPINION.
The remarks of General Cameron impressed
the children very much, and the next day the
master conveyed to the General the request of
the children for his photograph, and reference
to this fact started the conversation at the
Governors table.
When we had turned homeward from the
visit to the school, Colonel Duffy, our Demo
cratic companion, said: II never saw more
intelligent lot of children in my life for their
age, and there was one thing fully as notice
able as their efficiency in education, and that
was their cleanliness, both in person and sur
roundings Their system of education is also
best tor the district school l ever saw" Il
would regulate by law our system of education
just as we find it npon this island" said Gen
eral Cameron in reply to Colonel Dufy's re-
marks; lit is just what our white as well as
colored people need to fit them for practical
life"
FAREWELL REGRETS.
This was but one of the many interesting
and important incidents that occurred during
our stay at this negro paradise" as it is call |
ed. 1t is SO named because of what l have
said in reference to its history, climate and
government. Each colored person has equal
political rights with the whites and equal pen
alties, honestly and impartally imposed. We
left this land of law and order, flowers and
fruit on March 2 with regret. Here Sunday |
is vigorously observed and all crime severely |
punished. Our daily bath in the surf had to |
be left behind-that play III the breakers which |
General Cameron has so often taken and so |
much enjoyed during the past two weeks. AS
we steamed out for Cuba and looked back |
upon the magnificent island, so richly clad by
nature; the cozy bay, with its beautifully col
ored waters; the crowd of black faces which |
had become familiar and now gathered on the
wharf and in and about the shipping-all of |
us wondered whether time and inc nation |
would again combine to bring US to this beau i
tiful picture. F. A. B.