Description
A Little Speck of Rebellion - - We are told, that the property holders near the house in which the colored school is kept, in this city (Weston, Missouri), have been warned, that threats have been made to burn said school house, because the school is taught by a white lady, a member of the “North Western Freedman’s Commission.”
This Commission has established schools in various parts of our own and other states, and this lady teaching those colored children is therefore not a singular instance. The city authorities are at a loss what to do in the premises. The parties interested in property in the vicinity are uneasy. We do not think that there is much danger.
But be that as it may, were we Mayor of the city, we would make it the special duty of the blacks to watch the school, and we would tell them to defend it all hazards. This the blacks would most cheerfully do. It appears to us that rebels have been too badly beaten in the late rebellion to dictate terms at this stage of the game.
All of the authorities, from the President down, are solemnly pledged to protect and assist in educating the Freedman: and if the persons who make such threats are anxious to have the militia called out, they can have it done, and the shortest way to bring it out, is to continue to make an attempt to execute such threats.
What for a name will we have abroad if we permit this Negro school to be broken up. As for ourself, we deem it our duty to warn all persons against such attempts. We want our record to be clear, as the friend of the Freedman. When we say this, we of course don’t expect to elevate the blacks on and equality with the whites socially, or the divest the whites of their rights. Not a whit of it.
The whites have their full rights under the law, they need but little defense; hence we say but little about them in this connection. The Negroes have always been denied the inherent rights of man, therefore we speak on their behalf. And when it comes to depriving them of the rights and privilege of being educated, we are over ready to espouse their cause.
If our city (Weston, Missouri) wishes to obtain a good name abroad, the citizens should see to it that this school is protected. If, on the other hand, we wish to have it heralded abroad that we are actuated by the principles which produced the late rebellion, the best way to do it is to deprive the blacks of the privilege of being educated.
(Researcher’s note: August C. Beller was the editor and proprietor of the Border Times, Weston, Missouri, between 1864 to 1871.)Date(s) of Creation
11/17/1865
