National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-24
LET US HAVE EDUCATION.
Augusta (Gn.) sentlnci.1

Frederick Douglass writes strong letter
through The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN
pleading for the passage of the Blair educa-
tional bill by the national House Of Repre-
sentatives. 1t seems now that there is
distressing probability that the bill will
remain chung up" in the House educa-
tional committee until it is too late to be
acted upon at this session. Both the friends
and enemies Of the bill are strongly of the
opinion that, II the measure gets before the
House, nothing is likely to prevent its be-
coming a law. Hence, its enemies are using
their every endeavor, by hook or by crook,
TO permanently pigeonhole the bill In the
committee. On the vote In the committee
to postpone consideration Of the bill until
the third Friday Of April, all the Democrats
except two-Messrs. Gambler and Willis
voted for postponement. Among the oppo-
nents of the Immediate consideration Of
this bill were also two Republicans.
II Is evident that the intention OF those
members who voted TO postpone the bill Is
TO kill ito smother IL in the committee.
The New York star glOats over this calam-
itous probability. Its hCartless correspond
ent announces that when the bill comes up
on the third Friday, II will be for adverse
action. Now, this may or may not be true.
The Sentinel Is unable to know the inten-
tons OF the thirteen representatives who
compose that most important committee.
The chairman, Mr.. Aiken, of South Caro-
lima, is one Of tho four southern members
on the committee. II the political fogy-
isms Of the by.gones should so handicap
the consciences Of these southern conser-
vators OF the constitution OF our fathers,
which permitted the government to hunt
fugitive slaves, and stlll permits appropria-
lions for rivers and harbors and for monu.
ments and for land scrip and for exposi-
tions, then the failure OF the educational
bill will lie like stencil on the door-sill Of
every northern member.
1t has all along been charged that Mr..
Carlisle has packed his educational com
mittee against this bill. Mr.. Morrison, the
twin political brother and coparcener OF
Mr.. Carlisle In the manipulation OF the
House, seems unalterably against the Blair
bill. His idea is, that the enactment Of
this law will prevent the reduction of the
tariff In the direction OF free trade, If Mr.
Morrison will only put his ear to the ground,
he will hear a "mighty rumblng through
the landn whose unmistakeable meaning
L., that the south, II not the entire country,
is more In need of free schools than IL Is in
need OF free trade. We call not only Mr..
Morrison's attention, but the attention OF
the representatives In general to the fact,
that the south is not now clamoring
LOT lIcc llcT lkc
| her educational interests, are In quest
| of protection. Another fact: The new
south does not mean to be cheated out of
| her proportion of national benefits by the
| few southern traditionists whom her gener-
| osity has placed In positions OF honor, and
| by the northern Democrats who are ever
| fastening to vote almost fabulous sums for
pensions and railroad monopolies. The
| people OF this section are rapidly arriving
~ thn hnt "a
ments have ruled them long enough and to
their hurt. il they are considered In the
Union, they wish to share its benefits, what
| ever may be the theories of free traders and
states rights doctrlnaIres.
The Blair educational bill Is as nearly
perfect as the illiterates Of this country can
wait for 1t to be made. 1t gives as much
money to the white child as 1t does to the
colored. Thus the white illiterates of the
Democratic party, demand of their repre-
sentatives the passage of this bill. 1t has
been the fashion in the south to neglect the
education of the poor whites. Before the
war there were, In proportion, more high
schools in the south than in the north, but
they were for the rich mems sons and
daughters. The poor grew up in.lgnorance,
and thus the large stock OF white illiteracy
In the south. The white illlterates OF the
south demand the passage Of this bill and
the representative who dallles shall be
| damned.
The enactment Of the law will send thrill
| of Joy through every nerve and sinew OF
the Industrial and social life the south; Il
will awaken such a genuine love for the
national Union as has never been felt since
| the early DAYS of Webster, Calhoun, anC
Clay. The Democratic party on trial a
the head OF the nation, was placed there by
the votes OF the south; let It not be sc
foolish as to fail to send into every city OF
the south money and employment to Its
young women and men Just as 1t sends pen
sion money into every city of the north.
The colored people expect Of the Repub
llcans the passage Of this bill. Its adoption
is second only to the emancipation act; II
should have accompanied II. The colored
people have stood by the Republican party
as sieadfastly as they could; they have vir.
| tually saved that party In power at least
once. They are now sorely in need of this
aid; without 1t they must remain in igno
rance quite long time yet. The writer
was member of the last Repub
lcan national convention, and member o.
the platform committee, and through thu
courtesy of that sterling Republican, the
Hon. William Mckinley, we wrote the con
Guiding clause Of the last Republican plat
form. 1t is, therefore, with some reason
thatwe affirm that no Republican can eithel
openly or clandestinely hinder the passag,
OF this bill, In view OF the fact that they
committed their party to the inau
guration of ga wise and judicious system
OF general education by adequate appro
priation from the national reuenuc Whercve
The same is needed.n Under this can am
but traitorous Republican fail to vote TO
the Blair billP The country certainly need
it. We have been connected with the edu
cation of Georgia for the past ten years
and 1t is our candid opinion that withou
the passage Of some such bill as that whicl
has just passed the Senate for the secont
time 1t will be absolutely impossible Il
greatly decrease the illiteracy among tn
coiored people OF , the south. IL the bill
blame at the doors of the Republicans
whom they have served so long and 81
faithfully.