Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-08-08

The body of instructors constituted
an able corps, and each vas fully equip |
ped with a store Of valuable informa-
ton in his special line and knew best
how to impart this knowledge 60 the /
sager listener, and what will probably /
be of more lasting benefit TO the hear
ers than the knowledge they drank in
from the "Pierisn-Spring" is the am
bition which was aroused in their
souls to be something better and wis
or than they are. and to strive TO reach |
the topmost round of the ladder OF
He saws:
But the NEST perfect plan Of man
has its defects, which may be observed
by all even by those who would them
selves plan very imperfectly, and this
is TO suggest one OF
several changes which might be i'm
provements
Solomon's wisdom has been trans
ferred to Wingina, it would seem. But
here is his suggestion as to the inn
provement:
The management of our schools for
teachers and schools for pupils is OF
vital Importance for the welfare OF our
homes and our country. The schools
for teachers profess to point out the
best methods for conducting the prim-
airy schools, hence what is right for
one is right for the other. wish 60
protest most strongly and earnestly
against the outrage of having blacks
and whites take their examinations to-
gether; not only under the same IN
structor and in the same building, but
in the same room. No distinction
made on account Of color The refin-
ed lady and the burly Negro man plac-
ed on an equal footing, in the same
room and at similar desks.
1t will be observed that he says they
were examined at similar desks, not
at the same ones.
OF course, we do not know whether
the writer is male or female, Ameri-
can or foreign born, but of one thing
we are convinced he is of the corn
stalk, hog-eating class, who never had
a Negro nurse or enjoyed the luxuries
of the slave owner.
What contamination could there be
in the state of affairs cited Do not
some white people visit Negro church
es? Do they not ride in the same
street-car with them? Do they not
sit at their sides in vehicles of every
description? Here in Richmond, we
have white ladies in mixed schools
the teachers being white and the pu-
pills eolored. We have white princi-
pals in the same buildings with color
ed teachers and pupils.
WE have the spectacle of white SUI
perintendent of the Almshouse, back.
ed up by the approval of white com.
mittee, placing a white woman in the
coIored almshouse to look after the
colored paupers. She breathes the
same polluted air that they breathe
She ministers to their wants, and she
agrees to do this for the psltry sum oil
$40 per month. Are these things of vi
tai importance7
He says:
Zone of the ladies attending the
aforesaid school of Methods, and de-
string to take the examination, re-
quested that she be allowed to sit in a
different room from that occupied by
the Negroes, but her request was de-
MED. Thus one must either forego
the privilege of an examination or be
thrust in unpleasant proximity to the
Ethiop."
Now. this writer was so dead poor
that he had to take an examination in
order to secure back woods school at
back woods pay and yet was so full of
prejudice as to be unwilling to sit
there and be examined in the presence
of the colored teacher who could no
doubt outstrip him in the examination
then progressing.
In order to make the matter appear
in it's worst possible light, he says:
"Only a short step from this to their
being but one aIal the same summer
normal for the Negro and Caucasian,
crowded and jostled side by side The
next shorter step would be for our
young children-yes, our daughters
to be train. d in the same schools. and
probably going to and from school in
company with Tie AlElCdu DrOJncf
Next follows the same hotels and
boarding houses the same bedroom
These suggestions are as preposter-
Gus as they are insulting. 1t is to be
regretted that the DIsPAroH should al
low its columns tn be used by such
writers, who stir up the seed of discord
and strife and essay to Injure one of
the kindliest races OF people on the
face OF the globe.
Oh, that IN. II. G." of Wlngina
could be embalmed as curiosity and
laid away as an Egyptian mummy for
centuries to come. Let his letter be
pasted upon the breast-plate Of his re-
mains and some future BARNUM will
make a fortune by exhibiting them as
relic OF the folly of a people who
preferred prejudice to prosperity. folly
to reason and sacrificed the fOndest
hopes OF themselves and their children
to the prevailing evil OF their day and
time.