The state journal., 1884-06-28
A Sad Commentary.


TIE outrageous treatment received
by the colorcd lady graduates at
rehearsal last Wednesday morning is
a damning blot upon the escutcheon
of the much boasted free school sys-
tem. While the colored people desire
no moro favors nor any better treat
ment than that accorded to others,
they do look for common respect
somewhat above that due TO brute
animals, and even the Goldfish ariS-
tocrdcy Of these parts might conde-
scend to this
1t seems that during the rehearsal
Of the graduating class at the Opera
House the white ladies (?) of the
class two in particular, were very
much affected on account Of having
to remain in close promixity to the
colored ladies. Fearful of contamina
tion, they took up their skirts and
removed their chairs to a less danger
GUS position, but being unable to
longer stand so severe a shock upon
their nervous systems withdrew
altogether from the stage. The
two colored ladies, in the meantime,
suffered these indignities without
murmur and remained on the stage
at least twenty minutes. This state
of affairs becoming insufferable to one
of them she proceeded to her home.
The action Of these shallow brain
and worse than supercilious misses
deserves the severest censure and
condemnation. 1t is proof positive
that education does rot always edu-
cate; that there are some beings not
susceptible to its elevating and refn-
ing influences. No better illustration
is wanting. We might excuse these
young ladies ~ for they are incapa-
BILE, we fear, Of knowing or feeling
the depth of their degradation in this
instance, and would, in all probability,
meet censure with the silly giggles
Characteristic of warped minds and
impoverished consciences. But, we
cannot overlook the laxity Of discip
line which seems to exist in the girls
high school, and which has evidently
lent encouragement to the perpetra-
ton of this offence. Such things
must certainly have occurred before,
else this exhibition would not have
been given at this late date, after four
years of daily contact. There is rot
tenness somewhere, some connivance
and liberation of abuse to colored
pupils, or why these scenes?
If memory serves us right we
think that we do know and can cite
two or three instances in which col
ored scholars have been similarly
treated in that school before. These
gainedlittle attention fromthe teachers
although being cognizant of them.
During the past term a certain class
proposed trip TO Steelton to inspect
the works for the purpose Of further
instruction. The colored members OF
the class received notes from their
classmates, who had assumed the role
Of teachers, to the effect that their
presence would not be needed. This
becoming known, their trip was in
terferred with and abandoned, as they
preferred rather to lose its benefits
than suffer the company OF two re-
spectacle young ladies of color This
did not happen upon a school day
but as the class is not social organl-
cation, and as their intended trip was
for the avowed purpose of improving
their knowledge, the same purpose
which brings them together day by
day, we consider it unjust and de-
served the determined action Of their
superiors. We could give other
cases. were it necessary at this time.
What stronger proof could we have
of discrimination? Must these things
be? Must we stand by supinely and
submit to the heaping of these indig-
mites upon our people? Do we not