The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-01
NO MIXED SCHOOL SHOULD BE
TOLERATED.

cation of the races in any educational insti-
tuition in that state. The surprise was,
not that such a bill passed the House by
a solid Democratic vote. but that 1T was
necessary to pass such a law. 1t was not
generally known that such a school was
in existence in any Southern State. 1t
turns out that in Eastern Kentucky Berea
School is run and is attended by white
and negro children together, and the bill
is intended to put an end to such social
equality. The trustees, who have an en-
dowment fund, are permitted to maintain
separate schools for each race twenty
five miles apart. The law-wise, salutary,
proper-has stirred up a hornets nest in
some quarters. 1t has given the Outlook
a conniption fit and in the current is
sue the editor thus voices his Indignation
THE Lower House of the Kentucky
Legislature, by party vote, passed a
| bill last week prohibiting co-education of
the races in any of the educational in
situations of the State, with an amend
ment permitting corporations conducting
such schools to maintain separate schools
which must be at least twenty-five miles
apart. This action will be a great dis
appointment to those who expected bet
| ter things from so enlightened a state;
| for the measure is aimed at a single in
stitution, and that institution one OF the
most useful in the United States-a col
lege which is working for the better
ment of the State of Kentucky more di-
rectly, probably, and in certain important
ways more efficiently, than any other in
stiution of learning within the borders
of the commonwealth. Berea was found
ed by Southerners who held anti-slavery
views, for the purpose OF affordIng ra-
tional education to negroes as well as to
! whites. 1t was organized as Christian
institution, and as such was opposed to
sectarianism, slaveholding, caste, and
every other wrong institution and prac-
tice" 1t has been doing its work in the
face of great obstacles, and with the un-
finching self-sacrifice of consecrated
teachers, for nearly fifty years; it has
| accumulated a considerable endowment
and has awakened great interest, especial
| ly among those Northern men and .wo-
men who have appreciated the high quail
ity of it's work and the selfsacrificing
spirit of its instructors. 1t has appealed
especially to the young men and women
of the mountain region, and the empha-
sis of its work has lain with them. 1t
has now on its roll ia colored students
and 500 white students. OF these white
students a large majority come from the
mountain regions. Berea IS the college OF
the mountain people, whose story Presl-
dent Frost has told with convincing elo-
quence in many parts OF the country
To him, more than to any other man, is
due the widespread interest in the noun
tain population, numbering two millions
of people, and more sorely in need OF
education than any other white popula'
ton in the United States. To these peo-
pie Berea is furnishing a practical edu-
cation at a nominal cost. 1t has served,
and it has the opportunity OF serving, the
State of Kentucky in a more direct way
and with a larger reach OF immediate
influence for good than any other insti-
tuition in the State. President Frost is
a scholar who gave UP position IN the
field that he loved best, at a great sac
rifice of income, to become the servant
of Kentucky. He is surrounded by group
of men and women whose salaries are
of the smallest, and whose service is OF
the most generous quality and character.
| The college has accumulated the largest
college library in the State, 1T owns
large tract of land in a charming section
of the country, it has put up numerous
| buildings, it has an endowment fund OF
$3.50 900, and it has received and expended
annually during recent years an edition
al sum of 100000, the gifts OF generous
men and women. There has never been
scandal connected with the institution.
Both races have met IN the classroom
but there has never been any attempt
to teach the doctrine OF general social
equality. The teachers of the college
have favored separation OF races IN the
public schools of Kentucky, and nave
been opposed to anything which tended TO
amalgamation of the races; and 1t Is
said that during the history OF the col
lege no scandal of any kind has stained
its record The legislature OF Kentucky
has a right to forbid the teaching OF the
two races under the same root In any IN
stitution sustained by public FUNDS; 1t is
private institution; no one goes to IL
unless he OF she chooses to go. 1t is
serious question whether the State Legs
| lature has a right to step IN and declare
that young men and women of different
| races Sndli not De taught together Ill lHc
same recitation-rooms if they choose
The course of Berea has been so conserva-
tive, its record so stainless, its value to
the state and to the nation so great, that
the best friends of Kentucky will earnest
ly hope that better counsels will prevail,
and that bill which strikes at one of
the most efficient instruments of civiliza-
ton in commonwealth which has long
been notable for the generosity of its
spirit will not become a law.
We are told that the bill passed by
party vote'--that is that all the Republi-
cans voted in favor of mixed schools. We
are told that the teachers have never
made any attempt to teach the doctrine
of GENERAL SOCIAL EQUALITY.
They merely practice the specific doctrine
of social equality in the school, furnish
ing an object lesson to those who believe
lit must come. We are also told that they
have favored a separation of races IN
the public schools" We'll. then II 1t Is
good for the public schools, it Is equally