position upon the part of the Democrats to abolish it or
impair its efficiency. On the other hand, they kept their
promise to the negroes, made provisions for continuing the
system, and guaranteed an annual five months' term instead
of four, as formerly. Moreover, the cost of maintaining the
schools was very largely reduced, and the administration
decentralized and democratized, thereby removing what had
been a strong obstacle to peace and good order. And thus
the system of public education, unpopular at first, on account
of the circumstances surrounding its establishment, has grown
in favor with the people, until to-day it is the chief pride of
the commonwealth, and is destined to be the chief means of
solving the great problem which the Civil War left as a
legacy to the white race.

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