The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-04-17
ALeycI TeRIIcd i.tIIon16ronI.t,

A few years ago, George Peabody, a
Massachusetts, yankee" gave three and u
half millions OF dollars to the cause Of
education in the south. 1t was given
under such conditions that it inutes almost
solely 10 the benefit OF the white race.
Still it was a magnificent charity, and en-
titles its generous donor to the lasting
gratitude Of not only the South but the
whole country.
And now au other "YankGe"- time
q Connecticut "Yankee"-has given an
other magnificent sum to the cause OF
education in the same section. Although
it is not 80 large in amount as tue gilt
Of Peabody, yet is rather nobler in intent,
inasmuch as 1t goes to race that has high
or claims on the charity OF the whites, be-
cause Of the wrongs it has suffered, than
the whites Themselves. Therefore the name
Of Mr.. John F. Slater, Of Norwich, Connec-
tiCut, deserves to be held in great honor
for the million dollars which he has given
for the Secular and Christian Education"
of the blacks OF the South.
The document in which Mr.. Slaler speci
fies the uses to be made fthis money is
most admirably conceived and expressed.
1t is full of genuine philanthrophy and
humanity. 1t briefly alludes to the wrongs
which the ex-slavcs OF the South have suf-
fered in the past, to the wrongs which they
still suffer; to the cloud Of ignorance and
poverty that still settles upon them. and to
the necessity for efforts for their education
and elevation in the scale Of manhood and
womanhood.
Mr.. Slater has named as trustees of this
fund Northern and Southern men OF the
highest character, chosen for their sympa-
thy with the colored people and also with
reference to their sound discretion and
good business qualities. Among these
trustees are ex-President Hayes aud Chief
Justice Wait To them he has confded a
wise ard LIBERAL latitude Of judgement in
carrying out his objects, charging them
only, but most "solemnly," to see that the
fund shall never be used save for the benefit
otthe poor and the lowly among the blacks.
1t is not to promote the high.
est education, but to effect the dissent.
nation OF common education, coupled with
Christian indoctrination, not after the
order OF any sect OF. creed, but confined 10
the spirit of gospel procept and example.
Itisto be used for the benefit OF the many,
and not OF the few. His first object is to
qualify colored teachers for teaching col.
ored schools, and he is willing, to this end,
to give some assistance 10 tho colored Nor
NAL school ut Hampton, Va, or 10 any
similar schools that may arise, He'directs
that the fund shall not be used for the
erection OF any costly building, as he seeks
no monument OF that kind; but, as far us
possible, that the proceeds IRON the invest
mcnt shall go to the practical object he has
in view.
We presume that Mr.. Slater expects TO
supplement this charity with additions to
it, either during his lifetime or at hi, death,
but in tho meantime he desires to see the
work begun, so that he can ascertain where
it can be supplemented to advantage.
1t would seem us II the South ought after
all to have pretty good opinion OF
yankees" at whom they have been 50
long accustomed to turn up their nose.
The Yankees are money.making people,
but they have done more for education and
charity than any other people in the United
States, by far. The South has received
great gifts from the North-from her Van.
derbilts, sLeAIoynes, Peabodys and Skaters
gifts that ought to convince tho people
Of that section that she seeks not their
oppression or injury, but only to bring
them into line with the results Of the war
and the general progress Of the country and
the civilized world.