The Governor Against Us
March 1, 1902
Summary
At a “time of so much racial agitation,” the governor announces that he plans to change the education system to limit collegiate education for black people.
Transcription
“Woodman, spare that tree, Touch not a single bough.”
The message of Gov. A.J. Montague was noted for its brevity. His recommendations were based upon commonsense and practical experience.
The only unfortunate part of the document was his reference to the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute. It would have been a God-sent blessing had he kept quiet upon the subject of Negro education at this time when racial agitation is at a fever heat, and the opposition to the advancement of the colored brother most pronounced.
We see no need of the change in the name. It would upset the fondest recollections of those who have graduated from the institution. It is a blow at the higher education of the citizen of color. The curriculum at Petersburg is low enough, but it seems that Governor Montague would make it lower.
Despite assertions to the contrary, we hold that it is the sworn duty of every official in Virginia to ignore the colorline and to be willing to accord to all citizens that equality before the law.
When Gov. Montague is ready to recommend a change in the name of the University of Virginia, and a reduction of its curriculum, then and not until then will we acquiesce in the change of the name and a reduction of the course of study at the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute.
Gov. Montague seems to favor, too, white teachers for colored schools. What else does the language mean?
***the mandatory exclusion of white teachers should be repealed.”
What would the Governor think if some future Chief Executive would say in his message: “The mandatory exclusion of colored teachers from the University of Virginia should be repealed.”
This grates harshly upon the white man’s ear. No less so does the assertion of the brilliant Governor of Virginia sound upon the ears of the colored people of the commonwealth.
The most radical Democrats gave notice of their opposition to mixed schools and emphasized it by this official recognition of Negro teachers for Negro schools.
Does the Governor propose to reverse this order of affairs? With every schoolhouse in the state at the disposal of the white teacher, does he now propose to take from our nominal control the only institution wholly given over to us by the liberality of the people of Virginia?
If he does, so be it. Further than protest, we can do nothing. We bow to the inevitable, and submit our case to that God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps; but who in a few brief years will gather unto himself at the judgement all of the white men who have hindered our progress or done aught to wound us in our struggly up to the table land of material prosperity.
The message of Gov. A.J. Montague was noted for its brevity. His recommendations were based upon commonsense and practical experience.
The only unfortunate part of the document was his reference to the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute. It would have been a God-sent blessing had he kept quiet upon the subject of Negro education at this time when racial agitation is at a fever heat, and the opposition to the advancement of the colored brother most pronounced.
We see no need of the change in the name. It would upset the fondest recollections of those who have graduated from the institution. It is a blow at the higher education of the citizen of color. The curriculum at Petersburg is low enough, but it seems that Governor Montague would make it lower.
Despite assertions to the contrary, we hold that it is the sworn duty of every official in Virginia to ignore the colorline and to be willing to accord to all citizens that equality before the law.
When Gov. Montague is ready to recommend a change in the name of the University of Virginia, and a reduction of its curriculum, then and not until then will we acquiesce in the change of the name and a reduction of the course of study at the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute.
Gov. Montague seems to favor, too, white teachers for colored schools. What else does the language mean?
***the mandatory exclusion of white teachers should be repealed.”
What would the Governor think if some future Chief Executive would say in his message: “The mandatory exclusion of colored teachers from the University of Virginia should be repealed.”
This grates harshly upon the white man’s ear. No less so does the assertion of the brilliant Governor of Virginia sound upon the ears of the colored people of the commonwealth.
The most radical Democrats gave notice of their opposition to mixed schools and emphasized it by this official recognition of Negro teachers for Negro schools.
Does the Governor propose to reverse this order of affairs? With every schoolhouse in the state at the disposal of the white teacher, does he now propose to take from our nominal control the only institution wholly given over to us by the liberality of the people of Virginia?
If he does, so be it. Further than protest, we can do nothing. We bow to the inevitable, and submit our case to that God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps; but who in a few brief years will gather unto himself at the judgement all of the white men who have hindered our progress or done aught to wound us in our struggly up to the table land of material prosperity.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Brooke Royer
Citation
“The Governor Against Us,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 24, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/260.