The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-13

pcrity cannot be hoped for without dis
scmlneted wealth. and public social condi-
IONS 70 keep II from congestion. But this
dissemination e&nnot be got save by a dis
semlnated intelligence, nor intelligence be
disseminated Without disseminated edu-
caiion, nor can he brought TO any high
value, without liberty, responsibility, pri-
vale inequality public equality, seif-re-
gard virtue, aspirations and their re-
Certain public men in both north and
south have Of late years made, with the
klndest intentions, an unfortunate misuse
Oh statistic9l facts 10 make IL appear that
public society in the south is doing, not
III tnat should be done, but all IL can do,
ior the establishment OF permanent safety
and harmony, through theelemtion OF the
lower masses especially, in the matter OF
public educafion. In truth, these facts do
not prove the statement they are called
upon to prove, and do the southern States
no Kindness in lulling them to belief in
IT, IL Is said, for instance, that certain
southern states are now spending more
annually for public education in proper
ton TO their taxable wealth than certain
northern States noted for the completeness
OF their public school systems. Missis-
sippi may thus be compared with Massa-
chusetts. But really the comparison is
SAL injustice 10 the southern State, for a
century oil public education has helped TO
make Massachusetts, 80 rich that she is
able to spend annually $40 per head upon
the children In her public schools, while
mississippi, layinga heavier tax, spends
upon hers but 50 per head. Manifestly
~ IL Unfair 10 compare State whose pub
nc school system IL new with any
whose system is old. Tho public school
property Of Ohio whose population is
i,OOO,OOO, IN over twice as great as that OF
Ten states OF the new south, whose popu-
lation IL three and half times as large.
Anu yet one docs not need 10 90 as far as
the new west" 10 find States whose tax
payers spend far more for pubic education
Than southern communities thus far sec the
wisdom or need OF investing. With one.
THIRD more wealth than Virginia, and but
one-tenth the percentage OF illiieracy. Iowa
spends over four times as much per year
Tor public instruction. With one-fourth
less wealth than Alabama. and but one
fourteenth the percentage oil illiteracy,
Nebraska spends three and half times us
much per year for public instruction.
WIN about the same wealth rs North
Carolina and less than oneeighth the per-
cehiagc OF illiterlcy, Kansas spends over
i've times ms much per year Tor public ctu-
Gallon. III the comparison be moved west
ward again into new regions, the Territory
oil Dakota ~ seen making an expenditure
IN the year per capita on average attend
ancc In the public schools" OF S2j. ~, being
more than the sum OF the like per CAPITA
expenditures by Mississippi, South Caro-.
lima, Tennessee, North Carolina. Alabama
and Georgia combined. In Colorado
Il Is about the same M in Dakota, while
IN Nevada q Is much greater, and in
Arizona twice a large. As 10 compara-
tive wealth, the taxable wealth Of Dakota,
IN lSSDat least, WIS but one two-thouslndth
part oi that OF the six States with which il
Is compared. Now what is the real truth
IN these fnoly? That the full establish
mcni OF this American public school idea
and OF that elevation idea OF which il Il
an exp0ncntvand which has had 80 much
to do toward making the people of tho
northern States the weallhiest people in
the world, waits IN the south not mainly
an increase OF wealth, but rather the sim.
pie consent OF the southern white man 10
see s0cieiy's best and earliest safety, the
quickest, greatest and most lasting ng-
in that public equality Of ali
men, that national citizenship, wider than
race and'far alder than the lines Of private
society, which makes the elevation Of the
misses, by everything that tends to moral,
aud intellectual education, in
school aud out 81 school, the most urgent
and fruitful Investment OF public wealth
and trust. jus. this sincere concession.
All the rest Will follow.