The Indianapolis journal., 1883-07-05

frage. The principles of the fathers require
that they should also have provided for uni
versal education. This would have been
comparatively unimportant if the number
of illiterate voters had been small The vast
extent OF the evil is now only too well
known. The total number of men of voting
age who could not read and write in the late
slave holding States was in 1870 l,l67, 900.
In 1880 the number of illiterate voters had
increased to 1850 600 In each of eight
Southern States the illiterate voters ex-
ceed in number the majority of votes ever
cast even at the most exciting elections.
Most seriously important OF ALL the
illiterate voters of the South have in tine last
ten years increased almost two hundred
thousand. This increase of ignorant voters
exceeds the number of votes cast in any one
OF twenty of the States at the last presidential
election.
1t will not. I trust. be thought that I
would disparage the efforts that have been
made since the war by the churches. by phi
lantnropic associations, and by individuals
to uplift the colored people of the South. Far
from it. The figures of the census are spread
before you to show the magnitude OF the
work we are considering, and to show that it
can be dealt with only by the whole power
of our now united people. Under slavery
there could be no system of free schools.
The general education both of white people
and OF colored people was wholly neglected,
Only the large property holders OF the South
were provided with educational facilities.
They had in their own States schools, acad-
emies and colleges and the best coll
leges OF the North, and the universities of
Europe were open 10 them. But when the
war ended the irnpoveriShment of the South
was more complete and disastrous than ever
before befell wealthy and civilized commit
nifty. Their la"fls remained. but they were
wasted by the wages of war. Their labor
system was destroyed, and their currency
and credits persisted with the Confederacy,
Without capital. without credit. without a
labor system and burdened with debt they
were in no condition TO establish free schools.
The colored people were eager to learn. To
them education was a badge OF freedom. But
incumbered with we know not how many
centuries of barbarism behind them, and GER
tainly with two or three centuries of bond
age. they were utterly helpless to do any
thing which presupposes knowledge and eX-
perience in relation to the complex methods
and organizations of social lie in highly
civilized communities.
The difficulties of the situation in the
South are manIfestly due to slavery. The IL
lteracy of large masses of blacks and whites,
the lack of familiarity with school organiZa-
sIon, the indifference and hostility to educa-
ton, the impoverisment of the late slave
holders, and the inability of the colored peo-
pie to bear the expense of schools, either
public or private are all results of slavery
tional progress.
do not debate the question who was re-
sponsible for slavery. 1t is perhaps enough
to say that the Union and constitution
breathed into this nation the breath of life.
To the Union and to the constitution we are
indebted for our present prosperity, power
and prestige and the still more inspiring fu-
tare which lies before us. The Union aud
the constitution, to which we owe all we
are and have been, contained and recognized
slavery. All who took part in forming the
Union or in framing the constitu-
ton, all who maintained them down
to the war which brought emancipa-
tion are in some degree and in some
sense responsible for slavery. The only
American citizens who are in no way re-
sponsible for slavery and its consequences
are the sons of Africa. They are here by
the crimes of our ancestors and the mIsfor-
tunes of theirs" And it is especially these
colored people who now eagerly and with
uplifted hands implore the nation for that
light which education alone can give, and
without which they cannot discharge the
duties which the constitution requires by
making them citizens and voters.
In the history of popular education moth
ing is better settled than this The only
power able to establish and support an eff
cient system OF universal education is the
government In the South, by reason of sa-
very and its pernicious legacies to provide
Tor Jne Tree euQfStlOn OF all DY Otate author
ity, is simply impossible The colored peo-
pie were held in bondage, and therefore in
ignorance. under the constitution OF the ma
ton. They were set free and made citizens
and voters by the most solemn ex expression of
the nations will, and now therefore, the
duty to fit them by education for citizenship
and suffrage is devolved upon the whole
people.
The Southern States, with commendable
zeal have begun the work. The best minds
in those States support it, The intelligent
and able general agents of the Peabody fund,
of the Slater fund and of many philanthrop-
ic enterprises in the South, all concur in
reporting that the educational work of the
Southern State governments is generally in
capable and trustworthy hands What is now
needed is pecuniary aid-that aid which the
nation is abundantly able to furnish. Ignor-
ance if widespread, anywhere in our coun-
try imperils the welfare of every other part of
the United States and of the whole Nation
To educate all the citizens of the United
States, is at once our highest duty and our
highest interest Education is the friend of
whatever is most to be desired i'm civilized
society 1t is hostile only to that which is
bad There is no safe foundation for free
governments without il. Let me in conclu-
sion recall to your minds weighty words
spoken fifty years ago by Edward Everett:
I'VE have in the order of Providence allied
ourselves to family of sister communities.
We have called them into full partnership
in the government the course of events has
put crowns on their heads and scepters in
their hands, and we must abide the result
The real government in this country is
that of opinion, and with the means and
authority for universal education in our
hands, it is Optional with US whether the
power to which we have subjected ourselves
shall be power of intelligence or of ignor-
ance reign of reflection and reason, or a
reckless strength; reign OF darkness or of
light"
To complete reconstruction and regenera-
ton in the South the only force now left to
the government or the people is popular ed
ncation Let national aid to this good cause
be withheld no longer. Let it be given by
wise measures based on souud principles and
.,arafnllv pnardpd LET he ui,tarn