SHUTTING UP OF COLORED SCHOOLS BY THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Resolution and Remarks in the Senate, June 2, 1862.
Hon. Edward Stanly was appointed by the President Provisional Governor of North Carolina, and Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee. The former signalized his arrival at his post by an official movement against schools for colored children, as forbidden by “the laws of the State,” meaning the Black Code, before the war.
Mr. Vincent Colyer, who had opened a school for colored children at Newbern, came at once to Washington. Arriving at the close of the day, he reported immediately to Mr. Sumner, who without delay hurried to the Executive Mansion, and, not finding the President there, followed him to the War Department. Mr. Sumner related what had occurred, when the President, with an impatience which Mr. Sumner never encountered from him on any other occasion, exclaimed, “Do you take me for a School-Committee-man?” Mr. Sumner replied promptly: “Not at all; I take you for President of the United States; and I come with a case of wrong, in attending to which your predecessor, George Washington, if alive, might add to his renown.” The President changed his tone, and with perfect kindness proceeded to consider the case.
Mr. Sumner lost no time in laying it before the Senate.
June 2d, he offered the following resolution:—
“Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to communicate to the Senate copies of any commissions or orders from his Department undertaking to appoint Provisional Governors in Tennessee and North Carolina, with the instructions given to the Governors.”
By unanimous consent, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution, when Mr. Sumner said:—