Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-04
MEMPHIS APPEAL
ACCEPTING THEINEyIrARLE.

The attempt to force social equality be-
tween the whites and blacks has been fsil.
ure After the Republican party had eI
hausted all other resources for perpetuating
race prejudices, it passed the civil rights bill.
1t was supposed that a law 80 unnatural
would insugurate a new conflict between the
races, and thereby prolong sectional hatred,
without which the Republican party could
not subsist. The Radical leaders instructed
the coored people OF the South to avail them
selves OF the rights which Congress h q si7el
them By taking possession Of the railroad
Cars, the hotels the theaters and other places
of amusement. Great was the CONSERVATION
throughout the South. A new issue had
bsen preeipitated upon the country which
threatened the most dire consequences. For
awhile the blacks were clamorous for
what they called their rsghts, and a conflict
seemed inevitable. But it was soon discov-
cred that social equality could not be regu-
lated by law, and the civil rights bill, like
all laws repugnant 10 public seatimen',
could not be executed. Even the cOlored
people themselves are now opposed to social
equality. A few days since a white teacher
was assigned to colored school in New
York, and there was general revolt among
the blackp, who insisted that they should be
taught by only color. people. The New
York Herald says:
The color line qussuon In public schools has
received novel illustration At Stapieton, Staten
Island. small building has been fitted up for a
school for the colored children in the district.
gentleman named TfoOridge OF decidedly African
cast of feAtur has taught at mat school since it
was established. few days ago Mr.. TTowbridge
prosti ated by illness and could not perform
his duties. The trustees assigned young white
lady 10 teach the children until Mr.. Trowbridge
should return. The forty-three scholars who at.
tended the school at once unanimously objected
10 a teacher whose complexion snouid not be like
their own. and refused TO proceed with their
on the trustees and asked for eolored teacher.
The officials replied that it would be difficult 10
bridge exp cted 10 be absent, therefore extra
teacher was sent. The scholars all Withdrew, and
the school has been closed until the acceptable
person shall have recovered.
This is intended as retaliation on the
whites who refuse to be taught by colored
teachers. 1t is in direct opposition to social
equality and the objects for which tn civil
rights bill was passed. In electic4s, in
churches, in their mode of thought and liy-
ing, the blacks have shown a determination
to segregate themselves from the whites, and
now, since they have shown determination
to have none but colored teachers for schools
they should not complain if forced to prsc-
lice what they preach, in railroad cars, at
hotels, theaters and all public places. 1t is
natural for birds of a feather to flock to-
gsther. The blAckbird and the pigeon can
never be made 10 sssimilale, and the same
natural laws will ever separate the races. In
Commenting on the course of the blacks of
New York, the Lynchburg HHgiaiaR
says: "Before the war the blacks
generally worshiped in churches occupy.
ing the galleries that we're provided for
them) with the viii e or when they had
church sdi6ces of their Owo, hey usually,
almost universally, employed white min
isters. But peace had scarcely come, with
their freedom sckuoWiedge d, before they
made their emancip ltion complete, by throw
log off all their nhts pulpit teachers, TO
substitute those Of their own color. Aud
then they went 10 work-oftentimes and
most generally with the aid and co-opers-
tion of the while people-to erect other
churches for themselves. Nobody blamed
them for 30 doing; and the impression pre-
vailed among those whose altsrs they de-
serted, and whose teaching they renounced,
that if their happinsss could be promoted
thereby, or better teaching could be secured
to them, it was all right. And this
feeling was more fully manifested 10 the
helping hand afforded them by the white
people 10 the erection of their church
buildings, although it was never anticipated
that the time would come when white dema-
gogues and traitors TO their own race wou Id
attempt to prostitute these, or degrade those
who should be called 10 minister at the new
altars, in the service of political party
that was to be banded against all the best
elements of the superior race. Aud yet,
this is one Of the realities with which We
have to deal; and the example we have
given, as occurring i'll New York, may serve
to point moral that Lynchburg and the
State, with their large educational interests,
should not fail to apply"