Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-25

This is great country for problems.
They correspond in dimensions with our
vast extent of territory, stretching from the
Atlantic 10 the Pacific and from the gulf to
the lakes, and presenting almost all varie-
ties of climate and nearly all varieties of
grains and fruits These problems, too, are
all on tire; and this is because they are not
committed 10 an emperor or a king or queen,
but are to be considered. comprehended and
settled by and for the people Of the country.
One of these flaming problems relates 20 the
baleful illiteracy which exists in large por-
tionS Of the south. This is not partisan
political statement, but fact, and as much
felt among the intelligent whites of the
southland TO greater extent. probably
as among the people of the south.
Fortunately this is one of the problems
that is working its own way 10 a solution.
1t is intimately connected with another
probem-that involving the relations be
tween the white and black races. Popular
education commenced its work in
the south when northern male
abu iAah' u
second and peaceful invasion Of
the South, at the clsSe Of the war. What
has been done by one of several religious
organizations. which are occupying the field
cutting good work, was told in part on
Sunday in the Congregational church by Rev.
Dr. J. f. Roy, field secretary for the Ameri-
can Missionary association in the South for
seven or eight years, and now connected
with the management in New York and
by the Rev. Mr.. Clark. a negro educated by
the society. and now pastor of a church at
Athens, Georgia. A most significant fact,
to be stated in connection with this, is that
on Sunday. October ~, son of the great
eN-cOnfederate secretary, the late Howell
Cobb. was occupying the pulpit of the black
man, while he was speaking in behalf of
the education Of his race in Springfield, and
illustrating In his own utterances what had
been done by educational and Christian
work for one of many born in slavery. After
operating in the South for only twenty
wears this one society has 5000 competent
teachers in the field, in uuiverSi-
ties, seminaries, colleges. normal in-
stitutiOns and select schools, with one
hundred and twenty-fOur new churches
well equipped with educated pastors What
these churches and schools are doing for the
south can hardly be properly estimated
certainly not over-estimated. So great and
so wholesome are their influence that state
and local aid has been given TO the schools
and leading ex-confederates are among their
and sustained for nearly quarter of cen
tury by the money and personal efforts of
the people of the north.
That the ignorant blacks-the ex-slaves Of
the south-are capable of what may be
called higher education, is proved by the
testimony of United States Senator Joseph
Z. Brown, of Georgia. 1t was his firm con-
victiOn that the blacks would learn the ele-
mental branches readily. but that they could
not be taught Latin or Greek, or the higher
mathematics. Having this view, the friends
of Atlanta University had him placed on
the board of examiners, and when classes
in the different departments were ready TO
have their attainments tested, a public eX-
animation was held. As the senator had prt-
dicted, the primary branches had been aC-
quired easily. but the pupils also passed most
creditable examinations in the languages
named and in algebra, geometry, etc, etc,
sh,+
he did willingly and with real enthusiasm,
that the blacks were quite equal to whites
who were placed in the same circum-
stances.
DIR. Roy gave a most interesting account
of work among the white mOuntaineers of
tho south, occupying a territory running
from Virginia TO the southwest five hun
dred miles long and two hundred miles
wide, and sustaining 100000 people.
These were largely of Scotch-Irish eXtrac-
ton. and were hardy and lberty-loying,
like all inhabitants of mountainous regions,
but shut off, as they were, from railroads,
and therefore from civiliZing influences,
they were in gross ignorance. These men
crossed the mountains, in great personal
peril during the war, TO reach and Join the
union armies. Among these people the
great religious bodies are now planting
schools and churches, and as the territory
is rich in grain and grazing lands, and in
coal and iron, it needs only an enlightened
and enterprising people TO make it one of
the most prosperous portions of the coun-
try.
Secular and Christian education south
and north is being pushed with remarka-
BILE degree of enterprise and is accomplish
ing an inexpressible amount OF good to in
diyiduals and the countrr