New-York tribune., 1900-07-08
Nsw-York, July ?, 1900.
KEEP UP NEGRO EDUCATION.
A PROTEST AGAINST DIvERTING FUNDS FROM IT
TO WHITE EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: From the recent Capon Springs Oa) Con-
ference The Tribune gives an account of the Rev
Dr. Curry's assertion that what the South needs
to-day IS white education" even to the
neglect of negro education" II necessary. If. in
deed. philanthropic person were to follow such
advice It would be like following the advice OF a
blind Cyclops, who but wanders around in the care
Of ignorant prejudice. Unless l am very much mis-
taken, as a result of the Capon Springs Confer
ence. systematized attempts are likely to be made
IN the future to divert certain funds from going
toward negro education. The charitable and
philanthropic work of educating the American
negro is no easy task. and the churches and vari-
Gus benevolent friends and associations who have
been engaged in this great work need our generous
sympathy and encouragement
Whatever means irstrumentalities are used
to uplft the colored from the lowy earth
TO the vaulted skies" they must rest on intelli-
gence. Intelligence must be acquired through edu-
cation, and when the colored race becomes more
and more intelligent. by reason their being edu-
cateu, we eliminate the source Of considerable
trouble But If stress is laid on white edu-
cation to the neglect or disregard OF negro educa-
ton, It would be inconsistent as one who would
be soicitous of the cleanliness of the yard in front
OF ms house, while the neglect Of the cesspooI in
his back yard would give rise to diseases that
affect his family.
Education then should be equal. Both the South
ern white and coored people ought to be encour-
selves to higher n assstnp 'her S ne4 Gead
10 become more and more intelligent the generous
slNefS or the North and South simply trying
10 correct the mistakes Of political and spirit
ual ancestors, who until q generation ago with
heid from the colcred the birthright of in
teIHgence. II the unstntng effort in behalf of
the negro's education is continued, then he will
continue 70 become more and more intelligent and
more seIf-sqstaining. and when the coIored race
Incomes self-sustaining II viii be a source of
wealth to the State, of enlightened citizenship and
new source Of power to the Nation at large
Whatever strength and power the negro race nos
StSseS certainly adds TO the strength and character
or the nation. If the source OF the States or Ma
uon's strength resides inheres in the character
or the people-and the colOred people are an in
tegral part Of the Commonwealth, and they are
aomlttedly the weaker part in the South-then
from representation the character of the weaker
people ought TO be strengthened. Hence no at
tempt should be made to divert certain funds 10
other sources that now go toward negro educa-
ton. True education like true Christianity. has
no respect for persons, but IT is a debtor |bOth
TO the Greek and the barbarian" both to the black
and 10 the white.
Again, it is rather a premat ture act for a bodv Of
men who have theories and work along certain
diverging lines TO arrogate to themselves the task
10 guard the pOcketboOk Of the generous gIvers
Of the North" against the representatives Of ac-
credited and worthy institutions which may not
happen to be their list The generous eivars
Of the North have their church boards and So
cieties whose field secretaries also keep a list
and thus we are protected from the fperiDa tefio
mendcants.' No: yelled systema tiZed al
tempt ought ever to be made TO divert certain
funds from going toward negro education
Troy, n. Y, July g. 1900.