Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-01-23

crease of the whites and blacks in
the states along the Atlantic and the !
gulf, from Virginia to Louisiana,
and including these two, there will
be heavy majority of colored vot-
ers. The black race finds in those
states the conditions under which it
fourishes and increases, and conse-
qnently the negroes are increasing
more rapidly than the whites. And
when this Ignorant mass of citizens
learns its real strength, it will reach
out and possess the power which the
law and the constitution places in
its hands, despite the efforts of the
whites. The present condition of
things cannot go on forever. Power
will necessarily pass into the hands
of the eolored race, and it must be
prepared for it. Here IS the gravest
problem that now presents itself in
American politics.
There is but one thing to be done
educate the negro. Educate not
only him but the illiterate every
where. The danger is less only in
degree in every state in the Union.
There is now pending in the House
measure to effect this, which was
passed by the Senate last April. 1t
is the Blair educational bill. A re-
sumo of its provisions is herewith
given:
1t appropriates for educational
purposes the first year after the
passage of the act the sum of $1,000,
900; the second year, $lO,OOo,OOO;
the third year, $l5,OO0,OOO; the
fourth year, $l3,OOO,OOO; the fifth
year, $ll 200, 900; the sixth year, SO,
900, 900; the seventh year, $1,000
900; the eighth and final year, IS.
600, 900; or a total of $77,oOO,OOO
This money is to be annually divid
ed among the states and territories
in proportion to their illiteracy
Y Particular care has been taken not
, to trench upon the rights of states
the bill expressly providing that The
, amount given to any one state shall
D not exceed the amount expended
= out of its own revenues for the
maintenance of public schools. This
money is not to be devoted to the
building of school-houses, but to thu
teaching of all children of schoo
age, without regard to race or sex
, and with equal privileges, and on
tenth of the amount devoted to eacl
state may be used for educating
teachers. And it is especially pro
vided that if any state misapplie
, its fund, or fails to comply with The
conditions of the act, or if it doe
not distribute the moneys raised
f"r common school purposes equal!
for the education of all children
without distinction of race or color,
it shall be deprived of the benefit
of the bill.
1t is difficult to see what improve
ment could be made in the bill, o
what objection could be found t.
it-except some hide-bound Boul
bon, who believes the negro shoul'
= yet be slave, should object on tina
ground. There is no partisan ad
vantage to be gained in it, nor an
party question involved in it. TIL
. South would get the bulk of it, be
cause it has the most of the ignoran
, class, and the bill provides that tn
!, money shall be distributed on tn
basis of llliteracy.
The need of this measure is press
ing. 1t should be acted on at ono
by the House, that the other appro
priations may be adjusted with rel
erence to the outlay which it woul
S demand. 1t is costly measure, az
J, parently, but it is far cheaper t
= educate the ignorant, than to ru
y the risk of the grave dangers mer
t acing the republic from its illiterat
e citizens.