Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-28
NATIONAL AID TO EDUCATION.

The question Of national aid TO euucalion
is revived with new emphasis by the lac's
brought out at the meeting oil the eau-
ca,ional convention in Louisville, Ky. This
convention represents twenly-thrce OF the
States in the Union, and the reports
of the delegates show condition OF al
fairs in the S juth which is truly disgraceinl
to the na,ion. The great need oil the south
it appears, in educational matters, as well US
n everything Else, is money No section OF
the country is so hopelessly Impoverished,
Money is exceedingly scarce, wages are the
lowest possible, and yet the expenses oil liv'Hs
are no less tlian in other paris OF the country
The people of the South, both white ana
black have 10 live 50 close to the margin all
the while that Their, is nothing left over and
above the expenses of mere snOsislanci'
What can such people be expected 10 do
in the way of supporting aud cncoufaS'
,nr education in their mids. ? Good
schools are expensive Ever the we'll
to-do classes of the North grnmoie
over their school taxes, and are always com
planning that they are unable to pay them
Here is q section of the lunlry impoveri5h-
ed by war its old life and customs and
methods. both social aud business broken
IN and changed its leading class degraded
almost 10 the level of the lowest its active
life almo, nj a stan,istil. Here and theit
Northern cnterpris, and capital have steppc'
in and started it'll. eddy of prosperity in
the sluggish stream; but in thu
main The South is still dispi'ile'
and helpless. Planters cAnnos atrorc
to pay their old slaves living wages ana s.
the cotton fields remain untitled, an! TN
poverty of the people grows more oppless
i've every year. Slch is the present state
of affairs in the greater part of the Sjulh
That the people should be able to supper
schools of their own under such circumstance
is out Of the question. Whatever cduca
tional advantages they have must be furnish
ed them from outside. Aud yet, with al
that has been done for them by religious ant
benevolent societies, the ilitcracy OF thI
South is still overwhelming There
are 1850, coo illteratc voters in thu
South to-day. What does this signify TO the
nation 1t means perverted Southern
vote. 1t means material for demagoguc'
and designing politicians. 1t means pc!ilcA
corruption aud wire puhns and trading foI
Office.
For all this the remedy-or, At least, The
beginning of rcmcdies-is education. En-
tighten the minds Of the coorcd people ant
the poor whites Of the South, and you vii
correct the abuse of the franchise. New en-
orgy will be awakened, new methods intro
ducod into the business and social interests
Of he South. aud reform will he likely tC
follow. To do this effectively, the nation
must lend its aid The nation is responsible
for the colorcd citizen. lie is our ward,
and as such deserves recognition and aid
from the government.
The question of appropriations will be Il
prominent one at the next session OF Con
grcss Millions will probably be assigned tc
different portions of The country, for rivci
and larbor Improvements and other material
interests. Thousands Of dollars vii, 90 IL
the South and Southwest for various pur-
poses. Why should not there he a national
appropriation for educational work in the
South? a resolution to this effect was in
troduccd in the educational convention by
Congressman Willis, and tie matter will
lrnbahly b. brought before the Houses at the
ucxt session. Ii is to be hoped that III view
of the very great need of the South iii thi.
direction, some such appropriation may hs
granted.