The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-27

pie. Boston, it gave me pafd0nable and patriotic pride to utter these words, l come from a state where liberal and equal provision Is made for the education Of our coIOred children in the common schools, and there is practically no senti- ment in favor of withholding from them the best possible scholastic advantages. l Whatever doubts some may entertain, all 1 are united and fixed in the purpose to test the virtue and potential force of educa- ] tion in solving the gravest question that has ever been presented to the people. IL is written in the organic law of the state. and has become the settled policy | of our people,
 "I deeply regret. Mir. President, that it is impossible for me to repeat so en- pnatically these words this evening. Some | of our good people-not d majority, l am glad to say-have become so disap- pointed over educational results that 1 they have almost reached the point of despair Impatient in their desire to see larger returns for wel-meant efforts. and liberal appropriations, they have raised the question to the wisdom of a radi- cal change of policy. I am sure how ever that the facts do not justify their honest fears.
 But what would be the effect of a policy of suppression2 Suppose we close the thirty thousand negro schools of the south? What would be the result2 Let Dr. Curry tell us: Ignorance more dense, pauperism more general and severe, crime, superstition and immortality raIn- pant. We would not survive such a policy. The boasted strength of our gov ernmental institutions could not endure the strain. We cannot have a democracy for one class of our population and despotism for the other. We cannot ele- vate and subjugate at the same time. And, above everything. let us be just 1 am jealous for my people, that they be not amenable to the charge of injustice. l We must keep our covenants. The utter ance of distinguished political leader of my state I make my own:
 There is nothing unproftable as injustice. There is nothing which will I get with such deadly effect upon the | ehs.sacter of any people as the practice of wrong and oppression upon the weak and helpless. The denial of opportunities for education to the negro can be just- | fled upon no good grounds. It ignores the teachings of Jesus. It Is contrary to tho genius and spirit of Christianity. It pro- poses a solution of the problem which is at variance with the fundamentals of our religion. Nothing could ever justify II, | oven to our consciences.'
 And that view is held by the great leaders of the south. No man who ever represented my native state of Missls sippl in the higher councils of the nation more correctly interpreted her truest thought on all great issues than did Lucius Q, C. Lamar And no man among us ever had more enthusiastic following. Eisi great deliveranees became the ae- eepted doctrines of his people. A pro found political philosopher who never l contented himself with the surface view of any subject, and who had uneoncealed contempt for mere partisan harangue' he gave to every question which concern ed the welfare of the state and nation the sincerest and most patriotic consid- eratlon.
 "When a measure was pending In tho senate proposing national aid to educa- ton, Mssissippis distinguished senator gave expression to matured views that commanded the applause of the entire state A few sentences from that great speech may be reproduced with profit. Northern senators had intimated lack of | confidence in the state educational au- thorities to distribute the fund equitably, and suggested amendments to the bill. Senator Lamar said:
 The Late Senator Lamar.
 "I say with entire confidence that this dlstrust ia not deserved. that senators are mistaken as to the state of feeling in the south with reference to the education of the negro. The people of the south find that the most precious interests of their society and civilization are bound up in the question of his education-of his ele- | vation out of his present atate of barbar~ ism. l shall enter Into no argument upon | that subject. l intended to read some authorities upon it. but my friend from South Carolina (Mr. Hampton) has anttci- pated me.
 After quoting Dr. Mayo. Professor Smart and other northern educators, who had been south and had applauded tho heroic effort of the southern people to ed- ueate both races alike, Senator Lamar further said
 ""The problem of race, in large part, Is a problem of iliteraey. Most of the l evils, most of the difficulties, which have grown up out of that problem, have arisen from a condition of ignorance, prejudice and superstition. Remove these and the simple clements of the question will come into play with 0 more enlightened under standing, and a more tolerant disposition. I will go with those who will go further est in this matter
 Wise Words.
 | "In educational craftsmanship, no voice has been more potential in America dur Ing the past quarter of a century than | that peerless southern leader, the late pr. | j. L. M Curry The echoes of his mar | veIously musical voice will continue to thrill the hearts of American patriotism like the inspiring notes of bugle. Alas! l that he Is not Il cOISplcuohS hShiS ihi this convention tonight. In a masterly ad- dress before the constitutional convention of Louisiana a few years ago. he spoke these grandly eloquent words:
 The negroes, unlike alien emigrants. are here not of their own choosing and their civil and political equality Is the outcome of our subjugation. Neither their presence nor their civil equality Is likely to be changed fin our day. The negroes will remain constituent portion of the southern population and citizenship. What are to be our relations to them? Are they to be lifted up, or left in the con- dition of dlscontent ignorance, poverty. crime, barbarism? Shall one race have ev- cry encouragement and opportunity for | development for higher civilization, and 1 the other handicapped and environed with | insurmountabe obstacles to progress? Are friction, strife, hatred, less likely with the negro under stereotyped conditions of in- feriority than by the recognition and stimulation of whatever capacities for progress he may possess? Shall we learn nothing from history Do Ird and Poland nothing from history? Do Ireland and Poland furnish us no lessons?
 "Wise words and wisely spoken. By these principles so eloquently enunciated by our great leaders, the country will un- faltering stand. Whatever the dlscour- agement and seeming failures, the policy inspired by Christianity and vlndicated by history will not be reversed. And In all the coming years that which will be