The Portland daily press., 1885-03-07

the Prestons and Hamptons, distinguished
families of the state. The Carpet-bag, Gov
ernor Moses occupied it during his official
TERM He has now believe less sumptu-
Gus residence in Massachusetts peniten-
tiary, this magnificent place, with its elabor-
ate and beautiful grounds is now owned by
Rev. Stuart Dodge, son of the late William e.
Dodge of New York, whose family occupy it
as winter residence.
Columbia has more than recovered from
| the paralysis and destruction of the war
No city of the south suffered more fearful
doom. Her business streets were swept by
| the flames, and leyeled TO the ground. Her
most beautiful residences were DESTROYED, as
! were all her public buildings, except the
| State capitol, which was battered bv Sher-
| mans artillery, but not greatly injured.
| Nearly all traces of this ruin and desolation
| have vanished. with likewise, as far as we
can perceive, all the bitterness and wrath
which the war engendered have heard
the story of those dreadful DAYS from the
| lips of those who witnessed its horrors. and
not without sympathy for them in the mise
rles they have endured. But out OF that
| terrible experience there has finally dawned
happy day of progress and prosperity for
this beautiful city. The people realize now
that the removal of the olghting curse of
slavery lis for them and their State one of the
oSbiSudub IceuitS Oh tne CIVIL war,
LIZ was slavery that kept South Carolina SO
long from that prosperous career upon which
she has now seemingly entered. Now she
realizes that her own safety and welfare de-
mand the education oil her illiterate citizens
South Cardinals greatest need is for schools
This fact is thoroughly appreciated by her
public men, and / am told that measures
have been taken for the introduction
tnrougno1e the State of an improved school
system. by legislative enactment special
| system OF graded schools, like that of North
ern cities, was in 1880 inaugurated in Co.
lumbla, which provides instruction for both
Wnite and colored youth, although, as might
pc expected, In separate schools. The color
line will hardly be obliterated in this State
during the present century.
According to official reports the last dec
| ade has witnessed remarkable progress in
the education of the colored people. In
1850 there were 81 $40 colored persons in the
State who had some knowledge of the art of
reading and writing. There are Is, 900 more
colored than white pupils in the public
schools of the State. This is not slrpris-
ing fact when we bear in mind that the COL
ored scholastic population is $4,000 in ex-
cess of the white. OF the 1926 teachers
employed Ia the public schools. 1887 are
colored, with average monthly salaries of
$26 for males, and $24 for females. These
State is accomplishing great work for it's
own honor and welfare in educating its
iiliterate population. In this good work
Northern philanthropy is doing much to
helD, by its training school, for colored
preachers and teachers of both sexes.
But the poor whites, or Iow whites as they
are called, folm, by all odds, the most needy
and wretched part of South Carolina's illit-
crate population. Language can hardly
convey to the reader the miserable appear.
ance, Of these ignorant, idle and shiitless
people. They are seemingly devoid OF all
personal ambition or pride. They are far be-
low the colored people in intelligence and
perseverance, and form, as class, we'll
nigh hopeless field for philanthropic effort.
AS far as can learn few attempts have
been made to reach and elevate them by the
churches here.
While am concluding this rambling let
ter the Columbia Guards are escorting the
Governor of the State through the streets to
the scene of the presidential Inauguration.
They leave for Washington by the one
O'Clock train to-day. A. w.