Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-06-29

PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCI:ES. -Slperinten-
dent Caislc assisted by the Chairman OF the
school Board and vice principal of Wash
ington school. examined yesterday, all the
divisions of Snowden school for colored
bows. and the male divisions of Gusts
school.
At p. III. the Cards of Honor were dis
tributcd AT the assembly room Of the Lee
building that of the Seaton building being
out of order The Superintendent medal
was awarded to Beverly J. Bolding
Mayor Bcckham, before distributing, took
occasion to address 4 few words to the boys
He said many of them no doubt, thought
the Mayor 4 terrible person, always to be
dreaded; he wished TO show them that nc
was just like other men and had IL pleasant
side when away from his office, He had
boys of his own and he sympathizcd with
boys, and il gave him great pleasure to he
able TO come as the instrument for reward
ing good boys instead Of Furnishing bad ones
The color line had been abolished and they
had the same right To aspire 10 office and
position 4, his boy. and ne hoprd they
would take advantage of their oppurtuni
ties ami crafty themselves Enr usefulness
The city had been embarrassed IN its iinan-
cc- and had not been able. to do for It's
was at hand and whatever the school board
found necessary. means would be provided
to do.
SONS were sung by the boys. at intervals
during the exercises and ut their conclusion.
Superintendent Calmc took his leave Of The
school. Nearly twelve Years ago. he said
he had called God 10 witness THAT he re.
rognlzed and accepted the civil and p0iti-
cal equality of all men before the law, and
mat he would execute the Office of Supcrn-
lcndent OF schools to the best Of his iudw-
mcnt and ability" and his conscience as
,urcd him that he had fulfilled his oath,
Those present would bear him testimony
that he had acted impariialy. without re-
gard TO race or color, and whatever he
might have left undonc to promote the wei
fare OF The schools, his ability. not his will
was to be charged the OMISSION For sev-
crai years past, the great increase of his pr-
waite cuisines, had rendered the office Il bur
den almost insuilrrahle, and he wa
sincerely glad to he relieved of it. but he
could not but regret parting with the cx-
ccllcnt corps Of teachers with whom his Of
fetal connection was to bcscvercd. He mad.
first in the Commonwealth adopted the
plan OF colorcd teachers for colorcd schools.
and experience had strengthened his con-
vlctlon that he was right in doing so: blood
and race are the strongest Of ties. and the
cp!orcd man and the colorcd woman could
not but feel more anxious and work harder
Tor the elevation Of thcirracc then the white
man or the white woman He was clad to
know, too, that the Alexandria colorcd
TEACHERS stood at the head of their as5oci-
atcs in Virginia, and that, at Hampton. last
year. they were not only the most numerous
hut the most advanced body of teachers ut
The normal school. They were nearly
all AleXandrians and he WAS proud of them.
He had always looked upon universal
education as nseparablc from universal sut-
irage. but there was another thing he
thought, also, inseparablc from BOTH and
that was universal participation in the
public burdens. Those whom he would
like to address on that subject were not
here, but he could not retire without raising
warning voice. Ifthose who chiefly de-
pend upon the public schools show an I'M
willingness TO contribute their mite TO their
support, and throw the entire burden upon
property, an opposition to the public
school system will arise which will cripple
and may even destroy it,