Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 1.djvu/335

Rh ticular.” It was generally understood, when the new school board was appointed, that a Mr. Rodgers was to be made superintendent of public schools. In Major Lowell's report to General Canby this Mr. Rodgers figures as follows: Mr. Rodgers, the candidate for the position of superintendent of public schools, held the same office at the commencement of the war. His conduct at that time was imbued with extreme bitterness and hate towards the United States, and, in his capacity as superintendent, he introduced the “Bonnie Blue Flag” and other rebel songs into the exercises of the schools under his charge. In histories and other books where the initials “U. S.” occurred he had the same erased, and “C. S.” substituted. He used all means in his power to imbue the minds of the youth intrusted to his care with hate and malignity towards the Union. He has just returned from the late Confederacy, where he has resided during the war. At the time he left the city to join the army he left his property in the care of one Finley, who claims to be a British subject but held the position of sergeant in a Confederate regiment of militia.

No sooner was the above mentioned prohibition by General Canby removed than Mr. Rodgers was actually appointed, and he now presides over the educational interests of New Orleans. There is something like system in such proceedings.

Similar occurrences, such as the filling with rebel officers of professorships in the Military Institute of Louisiana, where formerly General Sherman held a position, have already become known to the country, and it is unnecessary to go into further details. Many cases of this description are not of much importance, in themselves, but serve as significant indications of the tendency of things in the South.

It is easily understood that, under such circumstances,