The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-24
Dhe Nlrssrnger.
~ILLITERATE STATISTICS.

In 1880, the census showed, as we un-
derstand, that the state of North Car
DINA, stood next to foot in the class of
status in the great matter of educa-
tion-a lamentable showing and sad
dening. In 1890. the census showed
that North Carolina was at the tail of
the class, having the greatest number
of white illiterates, a very distressing
exhibit. Is this starring letter Il to
mark forever North Cardinals stand
ing in the class? There is one thing
North Carolina can do, equalling any
state, she can fight in war. But in
peace when it comes to education, it
seems to be wofully deficient. Where
then lies the remedy?
1t is very certain the sum appropri-
ated for public education is much too
small. The school terms are not much
more, if any, than half what they
should be. The standard of teaching is
much too low, and because of small
pay. There are hundreds Of teachers
no doubt in the public schools who
have really no proper qualifications
for the important duties in hand. Vir-
ginia, whose area, is less than that of
North Carolina, but whose population
Is something more, expends several
hundreds of thousands of dollars more
on public schools than North Carolina
expends-probably a half million more.
Shall this blur, this reproach of Hit
eracy forever exist in North Carolina.
We love the old state as we love no
other state. We would rather ave
been born where we were born thar to
have been in states that can outboast
us, and have less illiteracy. We think
we understand the North Carolina
character-that of it's more enlightened
and expansive classes. We do not like
it's educational darkness-the cloud of
dense ignorance and superstition that
hangs lowering over such a large per
centage of the population. We are for
dispelling that cloud~-for bringing in
the schoolmaster and keeping him
abroad from January to November, I'M
til the young idea" manifests shoot
ing propensities and powers in the
right direction. North Carolina should
not be at the foot any longer among
states in the educational column, and
should not have more illiterates-
white at that-than any other of the
forty-seven states. This should be the
resolve of every progressive, enlighten-
ed, true North Carolinian, native born
or adopted. Many of it's best citizens
were born elsewhere.
What is the cure of illiteracy? The
answer unquestionably, is more and
better education. But cannot some
thing be done to develop a more agrees
sive spirit in behalf of common, gen.
eral education-the enlightenment and
elevation of the ignorant, the illiterate?
We are not ready for education by a
law of compulsion. That invades the
homes too much for our ideas of
rights and privileges. But a substitute
may be found. that to some extent at
least, will push on the educational car.
We think a well constructed law MAX
ing it a qualification to vote, that every
man shall be able to read, and that
every elector shall show his receipt for
poll tax before being entitled to vote
will very much help. The proposed
amendment will serve here. No
man who does not bear some part
of public burdens in a free land hould
be allowed by law to vote to gov
ern those who do support the govern
ment under which all live, and are pro-
tected in life, in liberty and property.
We are opposed to propagating the
illiterate figures. The Sun shows
&C., - r- 4I-4 ez.z:-- ~,
migrants up to 1890, were mostly able
to read. 1t is a fact. not to be over
looked though, Of which it say moth
ing, that the immigrants prior to 1890,
were of a far better and more intelli-
gent class than those that have enter
ed our country the last few years. Now
AXE this from the Sun and read and
lament and reflect:
Contrast the figures for North and
South Carolina with those for North
and South Dakota. We select these
four states because the two C%arolinas
happen to be the states with the least
percentage Of f~oreign-born population,
while North Dakota has the largest
percentage, and South Dakota a very
large percentage:
Percentage foreign population North
OdkOld, ff.oO, percentage Willie IillISi-
ates, SIS. South Dakota, foreign pop
ulation 27.69; white illiterates, Al.
South Carolina, foreign population
"a; white illiterates, 17.9. North Car
DINA, foreign population %; white il
literateS $50.
After studying this little table, can
our correspondent doubt that the in
cursion into North Carolina of such
immigrants as constitute nearly half
the population of North Carolina would
elevate the standard of American citi-
~zenship' there, instead of degrading it?
But, of course an act of congress
barring out fliterates would not ex-
-clude such immigrants as North Dako-
ia ba3 and North Carolina needs"
"A more widely diffused and improved
educational system is the need. That
it is needed a blind man can nder-
stand. Ignorance-deep, wide illiteracy
is the blot on the 'Scutcheon.' Who
will remove it? An educational reviv-