The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-12-05


expression not only in the thoughtful and
sometimes warning utterances of our ablest
statesmen. but in liberal appropriations
from the common resources for the support
of education in the new states. Noone will
deny that it is of the greatest national con.
Germ that those who hold the ultimate con.
troll of all public affairs should have the
necessary intelligence to wisely direct and
and determine them. National aid
to education has heretofore taken
the form of land grants, and that form
the constitutional power of congress to
promote the education of the peoples
not seriously questioned. do not think il
can be successfully questioned when the
form is changed to that of direct graft
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 suffrage
which soon followed the impairment OF
the ability of the states where these new
citizens were chiefly found to be made
quately provided with educational facili-
ties presented not only exceptional but
unexampled conditions. That the situa-
ton has been much ameliorated there is
no doubt. The ability and interest of the
states have happily increased, but great
work remains to be done, and l think the
general government should lend its aid, as
ouk6CcNAOA
in aid of education, which grows
chiefly out of the conditions and needs
of the emancipated slaves and their de-
scendants. The relief should, as far as
possible, while measurably proceeding
upon some general lines, be applied to the
need that suggested it, and it is essential,
if much good is to be accomplished, that
the sympathy and active interest of the
people of the state should be enlisted, and
hof ha rnathAAc aAn.,faA oh ka .h
as to stimulate and not to supplant local
taxation for school purposes. AS one con-
gress cannot bind a succeeding one in such
a case, and as.theseffort must, in some de-
gree, be experimental, | recommend that
any appropriation made for this purpose
be limited in such annual amount, and as
to the time over which 1t is to extend as
will, on the one hand give the local school
authorities opportunity to make the best
use of the first years allowance, and on the
other deliver them from the temptation to
pnduly postpone the assumption of the
whole burden themselves. The colored
people did not intrude upon us they were
brought here in chains and held in the
communities where they are now chiefly
found by cruel slave code
Happily for both races they
are now free. They have from stand.
point of ignorance and poverty which was
our shame, not theirs, made remarkable
advances in education and in the acquis-
itioD of property. They have as a people
shown themselves to be friendly and faith.
full towardsthe white men under tempta.
tons of tremendous strength. They have
their representatives in the national Gem.
eteries where a grateful government has
gathered the ashes of those who died in its
defense. They have furnished to our reg.
ular army regiments that have won high
praise from their commanding officers fol
the courage and soleierly qualities and fol-
fidelity to the enlistment oath in civil life
They are the toilers of the communities
making their full contribution to the
widening streams of prosperity which the
communities are receiving. Their sudden
withdrawal would stop production and
bring disorder in the household generally
They do not desire to quit their homes and
their reply is to resent the interference oil
the emigration agents who seek
to stimulate such design
But Notwithstanding all this, in many parts
of our country where the colored popula.
ton is large the people of that race are, by
various devices, deprived of any effective
exercise of their political rights. The
wrong does not expend itself upon those
whose votes are suppressed but every con.
stituency IN the Union is wronged. 1t has
been the hope of every patriot that sense
of justice and of respect for the law would
work a gradual cure of these fragrant evils
Surely no one supposes that the present
can be accepted as q permanent condition
If it is said that those communities must
work out this problem for themselves We
have right to ask whether they are al
work upon it? Do they suggest any solu.
ton when and under what conditions is the
black man to have free ballot? When il
he, in fact, to have those full civil rights
which have Sc long been his in law? When
is that equality of influence which our
government was intended to secure to the
electors to be bestowed? This generation
should courageously face these grave ques
tions and not leave them as a heritage Of
woe to the next generation. The consulta.
ton should proceed with candor, calm
ness, great patience upon the lines o.
Justice and humanity, not of prejudice
and cruelty. No question in our country
can be at rest except upon the firm base o.
Justice and of the law. / earnestly invite
the attention of Congress to the considera-
ton of such measures as will secure to all
our people free exercise of their rights Of
suffrage and every other civil right under
the constitution of the United States. Nc
evil, however deplorable, can Justify the
assumption either on the part of the execu
tive or of congress of powers not granted
But both will be highly blamable if all the
powers granted are not wisely but firmly
used to correct evils, The power to take
the whole direction and control of the
house of representatives is clearly given
the general government. A partial and
qualified supervision of these elections is
now provided for by law, and in my opin.
ion the law may be so strengthened
and extended as to secure on the whole
better results than can be obtained by a
law taking all the processes of such cleo.
tons into federal control. The colored
man should be protected in all of his rela.
lions TO the federal government, whether as
litigant, Juror or witness in our courts, an
elector or member of congress, or as q
peaceful traveller on our railways.
MERCHANT MARINE.
l recommend that such appropriations
be made for ocean mail service in.American
steamers between our ports and those OF
Central and South America, China, Japan
and the important islands in both of the
great oceans as will be literally remunera-
tive fer the service rendered and will encour.