The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-27
National Educational convention.


lowing, which were referred to the
committee on resolutions:
Whereas certain measures were
pending before the last congress of
the United States which proposed an
appropriation to be distributed among
the several states in aid of popular
education, and
Whereas the measure provides that
this distribution shall be made for z
term of years upon the basis of illit-
eracy, and afterwards upon the basis
of school population, and
Whereas the measures referred
to do not claim for the fed
eral government the right to control
education in the states, but provide
simply handing over the amount ap-
propriated to the constituted authori-
ties of several states, the same to be
applied under the state laws, and also
require the state to appropriate an
amount equal to what they receive
from Congress:
Resolved, That this committee most
heartily approves the adoption of some
measure of material legislation, which
shall embody the principles set forth
in the foregoing preamble.
The discussion on the subject of
federal aid to education was then
opened by Rev. j. L. NJ. Currey, of
Virginia, agent of the Peabody fund,
who said the question was reducible
to two propositions: First-The
basis OF our free government
is the intelligence and integrity
of our citizenship, self-government
is impossible with the ignorant. More
education. more liberty. The best
is that which governs
the least. The minimum of educa-
ton is the maximum OF government
al restraint. Oppression and igno-
rance go hand in hand. Education
the teacher for the sheriff,
the school house for the prison, the
workshops for the almshouse. Sec.
ond Universal education is impossi-
bic except through educational pro-
cess and revenues. Universal educa-
ton has never existed, except when
by the government. Be-
fore the war the wealth of the South
was greater per capita than in any
other country in the world; the supe-
rior education of a few was remarka-
BILE, but there has been
no general education, and a
large mass even of white people are
in deplorable ignorance. Denomi-
the whole community. The cheapest
defence of the state for property and
life is the education of the people. In
the entire South at present the school
fund is paid almost entirely by whites,
yet it is distributed equally to both
whites and negroes. All honor to
Kentucky for it's recent action in put
ting the children of the two races on
the same basis. The speaker had
heard with irrepressible alarm that
there was in some states movement
to divide the school tax so that the
whites should raise the funds
for their own children, and make
the negroes raise their own fund
for the colored. Such action would
Overturn the education system Of the
South, and would eternalize the igno-
rance of the negro. Between 1870 and
1880 there was a diminution of value
0f taxable property in all but three of
The Southern states. The South was
impoverished by the war. History
presents no parallel to its condition in
1865, nor is there anything in history
more sublime than the efforts of the
South to rise again. No people have
ever accomplished SO much in so
short time with so many obstacles to
yet illiteracy in the South is
fearful; 80 per cent of the white pop
ulaton and 70 per cent of the negroes
Ire illiteratc. Even Kentucky has
1900 illiterate white voters and So 600
tliterate colored voters. A similar
condition exists in all the Southern
States. There are $4,000 illiterate
voters in the South. What has al
'eady been done for the education of
he negroes is encouraging in Its re-
suits, and should stimulate us to
greater efforts. the emancipation of
,he negroes has saddled the South
with greater burden than she can
small part of the taxes, and
hey have ideas of future pros
1erity without effort On their part.
They are deluded and misled by de-
signing and wicked men; they are the
prey of demagogues. Other foreign
people come here acknowledgements
came by cruel compulsion. Their
is like that of no other class.
The speaker thanked God that slavery
was abolished, but the nation had
reed colored mep, and the nation
must care for them. Negroes are
rec, but they are still slaves to igno-
'ance. The government should COM
olete the good work it has begun, and
low that they are legally free it
hould loose them from the letters of
lliteracy. The speaker recited the
ignorance of many whites in the
south, and closed with recital of the
,erilS which beset the free institu-
ions of the country. he said SAID it is
he duty of the nation in times 0i>
,eace to guard against internal foes.
We need school houses more than
lrmies. What better use could be
made of small portion of the i'm
nense revenues of the United States
han applying it to the cause of edu-
,ation?
Congressman Willis, of the Louis
lille district, KY, followed in an ex-
:ellent speech in the same line of
bought, concluding with reference
o the condition Of education in this
tate.
Congressman Morey, of Mississippi,
avored the same principles, and said
he S.uth had broken loose from the
Id mornings into a broad stream of ma
ional life. lie was for federal aid, be-
ause upon it depends the perpetuity of
rational institutions. A bill embody-
Dg the principles enunciated here
will be presented to congress, and be-
ore ten years it will be matter of
Wonder that any diversity of opinion
.ver existed. Mr.. Dickerson, secre-
airy of the state board of education of
Massachusetts,, favored the extension
# federal aid. DR.. Basil Manly,
PRESIDENT of the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary, Louisville,
poke mainly on the condition of edu-
alton in the South. This concluded
he discussion on the SUBJECT of fed
raj aid to education. The next ques-
ion taken up was the education of
he colored race. The discussion was
opened by Prof. Simmons, colored, of
he Baptist Theological Seminary, who
covered a wide field, going outside
# any reasonable probabilities in his
Iemand for his people. Simmons is
fright fellow, but does not know
When he has goad thing for his peo-
lie. DR.. Bennett, of Fisk University,
Nashville, Tenn. followed Prof. Sim
mons in thoughtful address, in
which the interests of the colored peo-
lie were considered, and the conYen-
ion adjourned for the day.
killing in Florida.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Sept. 20-The