Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-04-24

The question Of the possibility Of
! becoming teachers, is in nine cases
out of ten, very important practi-
cal one for the pupils aud their par
ents; it is the stimulus to exertion
in the pupil, and the motive for sac
rifice on the part Of the parents.
I In Boston the schools are nafred,
4 there are over 10000 colored people,
and one colored teacherin the schools.
In Washington the schools are
separated, there are over $4,000 col
ored people, and there are oae-hund-
! red-and-sirty colored teachers !
The colored gradual es ofthe Bos-
ton mixed schools are not employed
as teachers, while the graduates THE
Washington separate schools are, in
their respective schools. Why? For
the reason, probably, that we have
mentioned, that on account Of the
superior pastintellectual advantages,
the whites excelin the examinations,
and therefore carry off the prizes of.
teacherships.
The colored graduates of the Bos-
ton mixed schools come to Washing
ton and obtain employment in the
separate schools. Again the colored
teachers of Washington get an annu-
al amount Of 100000 distributed
among them, which would be very
probably cut off by mixed schools.
Would not this money accomplish
more real advancement in other re-
spects than the mixing of schools?
The question naturally suggests
the fact that there are several ele-
ments that 90 to make up the odious
distinction referred to; and one of
the most important, if not the most
important, is wealth. Like the cul-
ture referred to previously, the
whites have had this advantage for
centuries. In fact these two things
occupy the respective relation of
cause and effect alternately, if you
have the wealth you can get the cul-
ture, and if you have the culture you
can get the wealth. They thus act
and react upon each other.
Is union in school, church, or So
cial life, essential to the abolition of
this odious distinction 2 We think
not, although this is mistake gen
orally entertained, by colored people
especially. Where there is equal
culture and wealth, the mere fact of
separation would not create any
odious destruction. The protestant
and the Catholic have separate
schools in many places, but there is
nothing invidious in the separation.
The jew and the Christian have a
separate social organization, and sell
dom or never intermarry; but they
are socially equal, the separation is
not odious. One Of the advantages
of separate churches, colleges and
schools,is that it affords colored men
and women an opportunity to dem
onstratc their capacity, which they
would not otherwise possess in the
existing condition of affairs.
How can colored men and women
prove their fitness tobe pastors, pro-
fessors, and teachers, if you refuse
them such positions as is generally
done, where these institutions are
united or mixed To charge us with
not being qualified as ground of
refusal, and then to deny us the OPP
portunity Of even qualifying our
selves by holding such positions, re-
minds us of the mother who was per-
fectly willing to have her son learn
to swim, but would not permit him
to go into the water until he had
learned How much more complete
ly and quickly would the colored
people of the United States prove
their natural equality if they would
establish q nation, govern it success
fully, and become the equal Of the
foremost civilized powers. Such de-