The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-11-22

and longer terms This Is only partly true. live a good part of the time in Maryland and I know the habits of the negroes hero. They are eager for school houses. but they are quite indifferent to the use of them. But the chief con sideration is that the education which they need as all agree. Is to be taught to work. This is precisely what they will not do except under compulsion. They are Idle, shiftless. worthless. So long as they are sovereign citxens we may shrug our shoulders and pass on. It is no af- fair of ours But when we face the fact that they are to be wards for whom we are to be responsible, the question arises. what are we to do with them, and, what is more important. what are we to com- pei them to do for themselves? Many will no doubt draw back at the very sug- gestion of compusion in free country, for grown men and women. But, in the first place. no man Is free anywhere to do entirely as he pleases, and, in the second place. they are not grown men and wo- men except in physical stature.
 The principle of compulsory education of the minds of children is well recog- nized. accepted and in general operation. The next step ts the compulsory education of the hands of idle men and women. If any shall say, '.why not apply this to the idle whites as well as the blocks?" will not gainsay him., It might well be done, and I believe in large measure could be done. But I am speaking of a class of people who are to be for the present de- prived of their political independence and responsibility. If the select men of town or the truant ocffier of a city have the right to take a child of 10 and set him at his books, have they not the right to take a child of 20 and set him at a hoe or a blow?
 In the early days of the New England colonies was an institution known as the apprentice system. If a child was left without protector, the town authorities bound him out as an apprentice, to some one whom they chose, and upon such terms as they thought right. to some one who would care for and train him. Then they looked to it that these terms were kept, But they did not confne their ac- 1on to the case of children. If there vera an idle and worthless man or wo- man in the town, they took and apprent- iced them, also. Within sight. as sit here. are the cabins of dozens of negroes It is harvest. The farmers are unable to secure laborers to save their grain. The road master cannot get men to repair the highways. The housekeepers can get no help in her kitchen. They are all ready and anxious to pay for the labor they need.
 Here. also. are idle colored men and wo- men sitting about the doors of their cab ins or lying in the sun. Next winter, as last, they will be begging and pilfering. Why should not a truant officer for grown children have the power to send this stall wart young negro whom I see sauntering about to MT. Blank. who wants a man in the wheat field, fix the terms of labor and payment and see to 1t that they are kept? Why should he not send this strap ping colored girl to work in Mrs. Blanks kitchen upon the terms that she be paid certain wage, which he shall fix and that she be taught to cook? What should this process be but sending to school to get an education which we all agree they ought to have and which they will not accept save under compulsion?
 Even slavery did educate the slaves, al- though the education was primarily for their owners good, and although the State was no party to the transaction.
 What l venture to suggest as the next step step to be led by the well wishers and not the enemies of the colored peo- pie, Is a revival of the apprentice system, applied by the State to the grown chill dren for whom we have now come to see that we are responsible. A form of com pulsion in no wise inconsistent with true liberty. It Is a scheme which would need to be thought out carefully by clear headed and kind hearted men, and be safeguarded on every hand. It could be carried into effect by town. county, or State authorities. or, if thought best, by the National Government. It would be capable of great abuse no doubt But the present condition of things is an abuse of liberty, an abuse and misuse of the possibilities of these poor people, who are at once so likeable and so per pleXing.
 Education is the panacea, industrial education, above all. but they who need the education will have to be constrained to receive ft. It would be easier to let things alone. But love has It's burdens. If the white people of this country really care for the negroes, the time. has come to show the severity of sincere good will
 s. D. Mcconnell.
 Rector of All Souls Church, N. Y. Sunset Farm, Easton, Md. July 30, 1903.
 The negro in the South and around the world is lazy because his needs are few