The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-27

b.tref7s If has been thought by some Of
our wisest men that education would
accomplish the desired result; and so the
South Notwithstanding her great poverty,
has addressed herself to the elevation and
Improvement of the negro race. through
the instrumentaiities OF education, with
a, generosity and sincerity of purpose that
has won the admiration Of our most nos
tile critics.
Notwithstanding the fact that the white
people of the South pay 80 per cent OF
the taxes that are divided equally between
the TWO races for educational purposes,
and that the sum devoted to the educa-
ton Of the negro has been greatly aug
1nented by contributions from people in
the North: Notwithstanding the fact that
the negro has shown little appreciation
of the efforts and money the southern
neople have expended in his behalf; ana
Notwithstanding the fact that the con-
duct of the negro has been SUCH as 70
almost drive the southern people TO
despair of his capacity for Improvement,
and to tax their forbearance almost
beyond the limits of endurance-notWlth-
standing all these difficulties and embar-
easements, the South has continued to
persevere in her benevolence towards
these people and her efforts to elevate
and improve them.
But, after thirty-five years experience,
and in the light of the present condition
OF the negro and the almost lmpercepu-
bic progress he has made. the time mas
come when we may wit h very great pro-
priety ask ourselves the question, Have
we not made mistake. and have not
our efforts been directed in the wrong
channeis?"
/ shall undertake to answer this cues
ton in the affirmative. and an doing SO
/ shall advance propositions which l
know fun well will meet with hostile
criticism and be considered bold ana
untenable.
Bur. nevertheless, they are my honest
convictions. resulting from considerable
thought and observation on the sup9ecG
FOUNTAIN OF CIVILIZATION.
Before take up the discussion OF these
propositions. deem it appropriate thai
/ should say word about. educaton, so
that my position on that important sub
iect may not be misunderstood There
is no one vino believes IN educat!on or
values it more highly than 1 do. 1t IS
the fountain from which flows the best
and most exalted civilization: it refines
and cultivates a people. and its dissen1t-
nation among the people is the surest
means to preserve and perpetuate clVlllza-
tons already acquired.
Education is knowledge. knowledge is
power, and the poet has epitomized my
idea of education when he SAID,
IGNORANCE is the curse of God. know
ledge the
Wings wherewdth We fly from earth to
Heaven.
There is slavery worse than bodily
bondage, andit IS the prison of Ignorance.
whose marrow confines encase the mind
and soul in darkness and despair.
With thse views on education, it seems
indeed paradoxfcal to deny education TO
the negro, but do not believe it will ap-
pear so when we examine the grounds
upon which we would refuse further ass
distance in the education Of the res.o.
think r,e South should discontinue Ser
assistance In the education 0: the negro for
the following reasons, viz:
l. firmly believe in the language OF
the Bible that Almighty GOD created and
intended the negro to be '.hewer OF wood
and a drawer of water.
:. / hold ts!as eaafatlons without mora!