The Monticellonian., 1903-05-28
SOUTHERN EDUCATION ]
THE NEGRO AT RICHMOND.
The Inevitable Negro Question at the Conference for Education In the
 South at RichIlond Va.

It was inevitable that the negro question should come up at the cop ference for education in the south. which las just closed at Richmond. The imperative need of the negro for education would have forced it if nothing else had. The nationa. thar acter of the movement, which aims ct education of all races and all classes, would have compelled is discussion sooner or later. The op- ponents of the movement were bound to bring it up if they could. for they relied on the negro question to arouse pre- judice in the south and to aid them in their purpose. It was, there fore, best that the question should be taken mp directly by representa- tive men from both sections, as it was
 It costs the northern men in the educational movement nothing to de- fine their position as to the negro question. It is position 10 which the logic Cf the situation directs them. and to which no reasonable per son, south or north, can object. As we understand, it is this: The south must determine for itself what the political and social status of the ne gro race shall be, but whatever it is, the controlling interest of the south and of the whole country alike de- mands that the best possible school ing shall be given to the greatest pos sible number of the youth of what ever percentage. The south has de termined, as Rev. Mr. Murphy has an nounced, that the colored children and the white children shall be taught in separate schools. It could not well do Otherwise, and the require ment is put forward by the more in- telligent negroes with as much insist ence as by the whites. for the pre- seryation of race integrity is not by any means the desire or aim of one race only. With this determination by the south the mort hern friends of southern education have no disagree ment and desire not the slightest in reference. They accepi it as a fixed condition. costly in some ways. but fixed; and they are ready to do all in their power. with the cooperation and counsel of southern men. to aid education in acordance with this con. diticn.
 The south has determined on eer- tain conditions as to the exercise of the suffrage, which for the present exclude the great body of the ne- groes. The men active in the educa- tional movement i'll the south frem that section CT from the north, may have their individual views as to the justice and eXPedieaey Of this action. There are northerners who approve fl and soHtherners who disapprove it, Both classes agree that ii has abso- mtely nothing to do with education. and all are working steadily and faithfully toward a common end. Q,ite regardless of this matter. There is no earthlyreasenWhX they should not If men like Dr. Alderman. of Tulane university, Louisiana; Dr. Hill. of the University of Georgia, and Dr. Dab ney, of the University 0f Tennessee, are ready and eager, HS they are. To give their hearty cooperation to the educational movement. the northern men are justified in thinking that it is one in the best interests of the whole country.
 Meanwhile the attitude of the best men of the south, such as we have cited. is distinctly, that the very inde- pendence the south claims in the di- rectien of the political relations of the negroes imposes on the whites a tremendous responsibility for the training ef the negroes to self-sup- port. to good character, to industry and intelligence. That is the price eff peace and order and prosperity at the south. The northern men engaged in the movement are willing and anx- ious to help to pay this price. That k their only doctrine as 10 tine negro question. and fl is a sound and noble one.-New York Times