Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-09-28
POPULAR EDUCATION.
THE SOUTHERN PROBLEM FROM 4 NORTH
ERN STANDPOINT.


The feeling and conviction, on the part OF
the white people of the South, that the eleva-
tion of the negro race is indispensable to the
safety of society, and that their present con-
dtion of ignorance and debasement is full OF
danger for both races, is most wholesome
and necessary sentiment Nothing should
be done to release these white people from
their proper duties and responsibilities con-
nected with the education of the negroes, and
their moral guidance and control. The whites
and blacks together form the political commu-
nity or socety.in the Southern States, howev-
er they may be separated by social or other
distinctions. The people of the two races
Jointly and equally, in proportion to their
numbers, constitute the state in our political
system and it is in every way best for all the
interests concerned that they should learn to
bear the burdens and perform the work of the
state or civilized community. together, learn
ing the Importance of cooperation for the
accomplishment of great objects of civilized
life, and developing mutual respect, sympathy,
and confidence. AS education is in our coun-
try one of the functions of the state, it is
better for the people Of these Southern COM
munities to attend to the organization and
direction of the activities connected with this
function, and to bear their necessary cost,
even though it may involve some temporary
Inconvenience, than to shift the responsibility
>and expense for such objects to the nation at
large.
A system of national education for the
blacks, or the appropriation of national reve-
nues for their education, would be source of
evil and injury to both races and to the nation.
do not think that the poverty of the South
ern people is so great as to render national AID
for educational purposes indispensable or re-
ally desirable. Such restitution or paucty OF
resources us now exists in some OF the Southern
States need not be permanent, and IS not
likely to be 80. There is alreadya marked and
steady increase in the wealth of many of
these States; and on the other hand, degree
of self-sacrifice for the sake Of objects really
valuable is an improving and ciyilizng lnf1u-
ence Of which the Southern people should not
be deprived. :,
The advantages of education will be valued
more highly if they are obtained by the provi-
dent foresight and public spirit of the local
communities, than if they are derived from
gifts bestowed by the national government !;
and much better use will naturally be made OF
them. 1t is important to develop spirit OF
self help and independence among the black
people and avoid anything that would incline
them to look to the national government for
interference in their behalf, or for special fos-
tering or protection of the interests of their
class. 1t would be easy to injure and degrade
many of the colored people by creating condi-
tions which would have the effect of leading
them to expect the interposition of the nation
al government, for their assistance, in every
experience of hardship and difficulty. Their
chief dangers and calamities are likely to be
produced by their own Incidence and want of
self-restraint, and they should not be encour-
aged to expect, from any source but their own
efforts to improve their condition, relief from
suffering which is the natural consequence of
September atlantic.