Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-01-09
.frcC schools atthc South.

Free schools AT the South,
There is no doubt that more might have
been done, since the emaucipation of the
negroes at the South, for their elevation
and instruction, than has been done, vet
we think that far too little credit has been
awarded to the faithful efforts which have
actually been made, both bv the nation.
and by associations of private citizens at
the North, in this direction. The credit.
at least, Of having inaugurated the good
work now being done by free schools at
the south, belongs to Northern citizens.
principally in their relation as church
members or members of benevolent and
philanthrophic associations. The begin
nings which were made soon after the
war, by these religious and philanthrophic
associations were the seeds from which
has sprung the present free school system
ut the South. The National appropra-
tiOnS, however Inadequate, have given en-
enlargement to the work, and, coming
when the need was sorest, have done very
much to forward the enterprises of he
various societies engaged in educational
work among the negroes and poor whites.
wrhe work once fairly under way, has car
ried on itself. 1t appears, from statements
and statistics furnished by gentlemen
who has been intimately connected with
educational progress in the SOuth--the
Rev. a. ID. Mayo-that for the past three
years the southern people themselves have
patd Us much money for education as the
North and the Nation together have given
for that purpose since 1869. something of
the marvellous growth Of the educational
movement among the people of the South
may be estimated from this statement
Less than ten years ago the
negroes and poor whites were
not only unwilling, but wholly IN
able, to do anything for themselves in
this direction They could hardly be per
suaded to patrOnizc the free schools which
were established in their midst by outside
interest and outside money. From such Il
condition as this to have reached the
point, in 50 short Il time, where they are
both willing and able to support, in large
measure, their own public schools, is Il
marvellous instance of the growth of Ell
lightenment and of material resources in
this 50 long povcrty-stricken and spirit
less section of our country
The legal aspect of the public school
system in the South is equally cncourag
ing. Rev. Mr.. Mayo says that, within the
past few years, the free school in all its
departments, for both races and all
classes, has been established By law
in every Southern State In several States
country district schools, of four or five
months duration, are supported, and the
larger towns are rapidlycstablishing grad
ed schools Of six to nine months duration
in the year Nor is there dearth of work
ers in the field. Great numbers of young
people, especially young women, from the
leading white families are teaching in the
commDn schools for the means of lveli-
hood, and many thousands OF the superior
colOred youths are engaged in the same
work.
Another encouraging feature of the
work at the South is the fact that the col
legiate, academical and professional schools
upset by the war, have been restored, and,
in all respects but cndOWmcnts, are. on
the whole, III better condition than thay
originally were. \ great revival of pUpll-
lar interest i'll education seems to be
sweeping over the South, and all
CLASSES are joining hand in hand
to carry forward the good work.
Now, if ever is the time for IL general
awakening Of the people of the North, to
aid their brethren in the South. Sym
pathy instead Of being drug in the
market, is now away above par with the
better class of people in the southern
States, and they will eagerly and thank
fully receive and use whatever encourage
ment may be offered by their friends at
the North. 1t is the best of times at the
beginning of a New Year, for the North
to put its shoulder to the wheel, and help
the struggling South to push its chariot
of good resolves over the last rough place
in the upward path.