Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-12-05


affairs should have the necessary intell-
genee wisely to direct aud determine
them. National aid to education has
heretofore taken the form OF land grants,
and In that form the constitutional
power of Congress to promote the educa-
tion Of the people is not seriously ques-
toned. do not think it can be success
fully questioned when the form is
changed to that of direct grant Of
money from the public treasury.
Such aid should be, as it always has
been, suggested by some exceptional
conditions. The sudden emancipation Of
the slaves OF the south, the bestowal OF
the suffrage, which soon followed, and
the impairment of the ability Of the
states were these new citizens were chiefly
found to adequately provid, educational
facilities, presented not only exceptional
but unexsmpled conditions. That the
situation has been much ameliorated
there ia no doubt. The ability and inter
est of the states have happily increased.
But great work remains to be done,
and l think the general government
should lend its aid. As the suggestion
of national grant in aid of education
grows chiefly out OF the condition and
needs of the emancipated slave and his
descendants, the relief should, az far as
possible, while necessarily proceeding
upon some general lines, be applied TO
the need that suggested it. 1t is essen.
tial, il much good is to he accomplished,
that the sympathy and active interest OF
the people Of the states should be en-.
listed, and that the methods adopted
should be such ss to stimulate and not
to Euppinnt local taxation foS school pur-
poses.
As one Congress cannot bind O sue
cesding ono in such case, and as tho
effort must, in some degree, be expert
mental, recoE mend chat any appro-
priation made for this purpose be SO
limited In animal smount and as to the
time over which it is to extend as Will, on
the one baud, give the local school
authorities opportunity TO make the best
uso of the first years allowance, and on
the other deliver them from the tempta-
ton to unduly postpone the assumption
OF the whole burden themselves.
Tine colored people did not intrude
themselves upon us; they were brought
here in chains and held in tho ccmmuni.
ties where they are now chiefly found, by
n cruel slave cole. usppiiy for both
races they are now free. They haye from o
standpoint of ignorance and poverty,
which was orr shame, not theirs, made
romarEabie advances In education and in
the acquisition Of property. rhey have,
as o psople, shown themselves to be
friendly and faithful towards the white
race, under temptations OF tremendous
strength. They have their represents.
tive in the national cemeteries where a
grateful government has gathered the
ashes OF taose who died in lis defence.
They have furnished to cur regular army
regiments That have wen high praise f:om
their commanding officers for coafa2e
and soldierly qualities, and for fidelity 10
the enlistment oath. In civil life they
are now the toilera OF their communities
meking their full contribution to the
widening streams OF prosperity which
these oo9m0nitles are receiving. Their
sudden Withdrawal would stop produo.
ton and brig disorder into the house.
hold as we'll as the shop. Generally they
do not desire to quit their homes, and
their employers resent the interference oil
the emigration agents who seek to stimu
late such desire.
But, Notwithstanding all this, in many
parts OF our country where the colored
population is large the people OF that
race are, by various devices, deprived oil
eny effective exarolBe OF their political
rights and of many of their civil rights
The wrong docs not expend itself upor
those whose votes are suppressed. Every
constituency in tho Union is wronzed.
II has been the hope of every patrio
that sense OF Justice and of respect TO-
the law would work gradual cure o
these hsgrant evils. Surely, no one sup
poses that the present can be accepted q
permanent condition. II il is said tina
these communities must work out thi
| problem for themselves, we have RICH
to ask whether they are o. work upon it
Do they sugges. any solution Whei
and under what conditions il the blacl
man 70 have free ballot? When il b
in fact to have those full civil right
which have 80 long been his in Law
Wien is that squality of influence whiol
our form OF government was intended t
secure to the electors TO be restored
This generation should coursgeoGsly fac
these grave questions, and not leave thel
as n heritage of wee to the next. III
consultation should proceed with csndol
oalmness and great patience; upon th
lines of Justice and humanity, not G
prejudice and cruelty. No question i
our country can be at rest except upo
the firm base OF justice and 9. the law.
i earnestly invoke the attention {
Congress to the consideration OF sue
measures within its we'll. defined constitI
tional powers as will secure to oil OF
people free exercise OF the right of sa
frRge and every other civil right nndt
the Constitution aud laws of the Unite
States. No evil. however deplorable, ca
justify the assumption, either Gu the pa
of the executive or of Congress, Of powel
not granted; but both will be highl
blamaole il all tho powers granted al
not wisely but firmly uStd to corre
these evils. The power 10 take the vino
direction and control OF the election
members Of the House Of 4 prtaantatiV
is clearly given to the general Cover
ment. A partial and Qualified supsrvi
ion of these elections is now provided 4
by law, and in my opinion this law mi
bo so strengthened and EXTENDED "a to s
cure. on ths whole, better resulta this
can be attained by law taking all d
processes of suoh election into FODDER
control. The coiored man should be pr
tected in all OF his relations to tina Fed
raj government, whether ss litigar
| juror, or witness in our coESts, as
| elector for members OF Congress, or as
! peaceful traveller upon our intersts
railways,
! There is nothing more justly humiiit
ing to the national pride, and nothiI
+ more hurtfnl to tie national prosperi
than the irteriority of our metcaa
/ marine compared with that OF 9th
, nations whose general resources, veal
. and sea coast liuea do not suggest al
| reason for their supremacy on the So
: II ,qaR not RlMnya sn md nnr unnnln q