How can the nation protect itself against such dangers? Only by this method of self-development. The South must become homogeneous in itself, and harmonious with the North by the spread of intelligence and right principles. Education and a reasonable religion will bring all up to a higher level, break down walls of difference, give broader and better ideas. They would so change the whole structure of Southern society, and unify its various elements, that the causes of dissension that now exist would exist no longer.
The American Missionary Association, then, is giving to the colored race its best and only permanent protection. It helps the black man to develop his inward power, so that his defence shall be in himself. And its work is the nation’s safeguard, for by promoting intelligence, integrity and moral power throughout the South, it increases the elements that alone make a Republic safe. Every motive of philanthropy and patriotism urges us to push forward its work more earnestly.
Madison, Wis.
EDUCABILITY OF THE BLACKS.
BY A VIRGINIA COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
The great mistake most people make, in regard to the education of the negro, is that too much is expected in a short time. Education in its broad sense is by no means confined to the study of text-books, however well these may be learned. It takes a generation to correct evil tendencies and predilections, and the fruits of a systematic course of instruction do not appear at once. It takes time to do this; and not only is this true of the negro race, but of all other races as well. The entire history of our foreign missionary efforts goes to prove this. It would be folly to argue that no effort should be made to enlighten and Christianize the heathen, because the fruits were not apparent in a few years. This is just the case with the negroes among us. Although they have been in contact (in a certain sense) with the white race for a considerable period, yet no systematic or general effort has been made for instructing their minds or educating them in morals.
Having for the past six or eight years had abundant opportunity to compare the relative advantages of our system of public education on the white and colored races, I am free to say that, considering the advantages of the former over the latter, I am as much encouraged to go on with the effort to instruct the blacks as the whites. It is true that where intellect is concerned, the white greatly excels, but it is not so with regard to memory. The colored pupil memorizes as rapidly as the white, but lacks the faculty of applying the things learned to everyday life; and I am of opinion that this will remain so for a considerable time—till habits of thought and individuality of ideas are educated. A great deal depends upon home influences; and here the colored pupil is decidedly at a disadvantage, and must remain so till home influence is changed to a great extent. These are general rules, to which there are noticeable and valuable exceptions. Take, for instance, the graduates of Hampton Normal School, and they make not only better men and women in a general sense, but better for every special calling in after-life. This, however, is due in a great degree to the constant drill, the daily systematic exercises, the thoroughly qualified instructors, and to their separation for the time from associations with the vulgar.
It is gravely contended by some, whose opinions are worth a good deal, that the negro is below the white man because of deficiency of cerebral matter, and that an examination of the brain will demonstrate this average deficiency by weight or cubic inches. I do not know whether this is true or not, but this I have observed, and have had abundant evidence of, that the average colored pupil will, and does, keep pace in learning with the average white, if the white associations are the same as the colored, i.e., if the parents and kinsfolk or acquaintances of the white are as ignorant and ill-bred as the black. All things being equal, the black will outstrip the white in acquiring knowledge and applying it. I have noticed a greater facility for rising above caste in the colored youth than in the white.
R. W. P.