Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-08-11
EDUCATION N THE SOUTH.

Tenn, few days since, stating that Dr.
 Alticus c. Hayzood agent of the John
 r. Slater Educational Fund, delivered an able address on the education of tue Negro, and that it was the strongest ap-
 peal for the education of the colored
 race. based on the necessities of morals
 and good citizenship, humanity and
 christian duty. yet de ivered by a s"uth- ern speaker. He stated that every child
 white or black. should have au equal
 chance for eGmentary education m th,
 common schools: So far we agree with
 the Doctor; but he goes further and
 saws that such education to be efficient
 and reach the case, mus be backed by
 the government What Dr. Haygood
 means by "baclIed by the government IS not quite clear. but as such backing
 would amount to but little unless 1t was In the shape Of funds, itls but reasonable that such construction should be put upon bis words \ blll was introduced m Congress last winter granting aid to the educational fund of Certain -outh- ern States, but it failed to pass. That there is need of funds iu some of the Southern States for educational pur poses, we have DO doubt, but We ques- rion the right or justice Of the Nation taking the responsibility Of educating rhe people of that or any other section Of the country. Such n measure migh. not have been out Of place for the na- ton to have rendered temporary aid C
 some sections of the south immediately after the war, but nearly twenty year
 have passed since that date The South. so we are informed. by leading Southern
 -tatesmen, and tbe local press, is in t nourishing condition and is growth,
 more thrifty and prosperous every year
 They tell us that the South has thor
 iughly recovered from the effects of th,
 war, that more ground IS being plOweD
 tnd more government land is benz taken ID than for many years past. This
 -tatemeut Is also confirmed by the Gen
 ral Land Office which reports a large
 increase in the amouut of land beinl
 aken up for homesteads and preemn- ions. The public schools Of most state
 gre good, and when they do not seek [. pass beyond the elinentary hranch-. the results are good and no iujnstir, has been done the taxpayer Bn' when enthusiasts seek to go be voud this and teach music the Ian ruages, and the higher branches, We contend that It is an abuse of the pub- Inc chool system, and great iniusjIct 70 that class who pay most of the tax4- for the support of public schools. Iii though for Us to ask them Co give our .hildren a common school education ve should not ask for more. Teach boy to read, write. cipher and l:t'le reography-make him thorough in Ines, ranches, sn3 if there is anything !, lim they win put him on the high road .oward finding i-. If the general gov .-ument is called upon to aid crr.ai states in educating their child-eu. 'h ,llk Of thr fax for such purpose woUl5 | .ome from those who have alraa3y cor- ributed tovard the public school fun0 f their own section, and for this reasoI | he tax would b. unequal and cons,- luentlv unjust. "Every tub -houh tand upon lts own bottom" We vel | amember the time when there were ., public schools ID the western States The people Of those States were poorer ! han those of any section of our countrl | o-day. They struggled on without ai5 | rom any source, made homes for them elves, built up the ,untry. and latrI ID helped to save 1t from disolurioI After many trials and hardships anc | ears and years of toll they have sur | eeded in establishing schools, and hav. | made arrangements to educate heir ovi | thaThiea-ii others, whIaI | .iil be the case II gov,rument ad i. yteuded r. other sectiong.