Other black educators held similar views on the importance of educating free blacks during this time period. While framing the new South Carolina constitution in 1868, black teacher and politician F.L. Cardozo argued that “…[w]e know that when the old aristocracy and ruling power this State get into power, as they undoubtedly will….they will never pass such a law as [compulsory school attendance]. Why? Because their power is built on and sustained by ignorance. They will take precious good care that the colored people shall never be enlightened” (Tyack 237). Other powerful black voices of Reconstruction recognized that an intelligent and informed people were the ticket out of a lifetime of servitude and labor, and thus, universal and public
