National Republican., 1883-07-28
A BAIT FOR co1oRED VOTERS. u

Prof Grccner's Opinion or the sixth
Flank In the Lynchburg Platform-The
Revolution in Democratic idea OF the
Negroes Rights.
REPUBLICAN reporter called on Hon
Richard T. Grcener, professor in the law de-
partment OF Howard university, last evening
TO get his opinion of the sixth plank OF tho
Virginia democratic platform, recently pro-
mulgated at Lynchburg. This plank has
caused variety of comment among those who
have watched the progress of politics in the
Old Dominion in recent years. 1t reads as
follows;
sxth-No mixed schools.-we oppose the
mixing of the white and colorcd races in the pub,
lie schools ana the placing of colortd trustees ana
teachers over white children, aud are in favor OF
preserving the school organization for the two
races as separate and distinct as possible, giving
the coIored people for their schools all the prefer
uncoS and privileges which we demand Tor the
whites, including cOOrcd trustees aud teachers,
and making no discrimination in the distribution
of school funds on account ufcolOr, and we pledge
the democratic party to perfect this plan as best
for al concerned.
Prof Groener, who is one of the most pol
ished and cultivated men of his race in this
country, said that he had read the plank with
some astonishment and his surprise was of
the agreeable sort. 1t was great triumph
for the Colored schools to receive even men
tion in the bourbon platform of Virginia,
aud il showed that the democrats were at
last recognizing the situation. few years
ago the subject of colored education was such
bugaboo that no bourbon could speak
Of it except with batcd breath. TO
get any sort of recognition must
therefore be u great victory for those who be-
lieve in the assimilating power of the two
races. As to mixed schools, the professor said
he believed in them. He was educated in
mixed schools, but that was in Massachusetts,,
where the colored element is not numerous
nor the white prejudice not so strong rs in
Virginia. Certainly any schools at all arc
better than nonc and it was probable that
the great masses of colorcd people
would prefer them unmiXcd. There
were many advantages in having them
unmixed. 1t might help to cultivate the
qualities of pride and individuality among
the colorcd pupils. As to placing Colorcd
trustees or teachers over white children, no
colored man desired such u thing. Here in
Washington we have colored trustees, but
they are supposed to be appointed with
special reference to the colored children. The
pledge of the Virginia democrats to give the
olored people all the privileges tho white
enjoy, including colored trustees and teach
ers, and an equal share in the school fund,
should be satisfactory to the colored people of
| Virginia, if carried out.
Prof. Greener said that such concession
on the part of the democrats was undoubtedly
attributable to Malone and the resoute fight
he had made against bourbonsm. The dem
ocratic pledge of free schools to all alike was
distinct triumph for him and he should
have the credit. As to the effect of such
plank on the colored voter it was hard
to form definite opinion. 1t
was doubtless intended as n bait, however
sincerely meant, and it will probably catch a
number of ballots aud possibly enough to
give Virginia to the democrats. The people
of Virginia had given many evidences that
they were relaxing their prejudice against
| color Malone himself was an example. He
WAS the original author of the tissue ballot,
but, perceiving the error of his ways be-
came the entering wedge for reform.
At one time tho people were OPP
posed to public schools of all sorts.
Lately the legislature had appropriated
nearly 100000 to build q colOred normal
school at Petersburg Indeed there had been
great progress in many of the southern states
on this subject, and the negro bids fair to
have an equal chance in the race for life in
this country.
| Prof. Greener does not believe there is a
fixed prejudice anywhere against educated
and refined colored men. Some people, how
ever, make no distinction between the edu-
Gated and uneducated and the former some
times suffer for the sins of the ignorant
The Daughter OF a Vice President in Want.
A special to tho Philadelphia Press from
| Wheeling, w. Va, says that an aged lady,