The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-11-10
Free Schools.

thorough system of public education. No
thing else will operate as a restorative to
the present diseased moral. social and polit-
lcai system. We may enlist under the ban
ner OF anti-license, preach temperance, talk
about prohibition, yet it will all "naught
avail" The same panorama will continue
to pass before us, with all its disgusting
loa.hesomeness, until we strike at the root
of the evil. Drunkenness, vice, and crime
are but the effects of cause. What, then,
is the cause' We answer, unhesitatnrly.
our system Of public instruction is most mis-
erably defective. 1t is not our purpose to
point out wherein consists the defect, nor
suggest any new method, but. we think it
has been proved to demonstration that the
present system is productive of little, if any
good at all. 1t would seem, from the ac-
tion of the Legislature, this subject is fraucht
with difficulty. They can agree on no plan.
Mr.. Tucker, of Spartanburg, with the dis
,nterestcdness and zeal of II patriot and phi
anthropst, has acted nobly in this matter
1t is to be hoped that those who object to
his plan will introduce better ut the ap-
preaching session of the Legislature, so that
some practical results may be experienced
in this ent-rprizc Of bencvolencc and charity.
1t is high time the Legislature of South
Carolina should deal less in distractions.
ard endcavor to effect something that is real
and tangible True, the Legislature, with
noble State pride, has annually, since the
year 1917, appropriated $4,000 MS com
mon school fund, and for the last two years
the fund has been increased to s75O0O.-
This sum, economically expended, would be
AMPLY sufficient to educate all the poor in
the State, and yield hundred fold by way
of educated and useful citizens. Here then
is the first great dcfect-the manner of it's
application. The correction of this evil,
then, is the starting point on the compass of
reform. VIII the. Legislature longer post
pone the completion Of this good work -
The many and diversified interests divere-
ing from this point loudly calls for mmedi.
etc action. 1t is paramount to all other
subjects that can I've brought Ucfote the leg
islaturc, prohibition or the Maine Liquor
Law not excepted. We do not wish to be
understood as objecting to the principles of
temperance. On the contrary, we endorse
them with our whole heart, by whatever
name they may be called -anti-license, pro-
hibition, Maine Liquor Law, or anything
else. We would simply say, with due def
erence to those who think differently, that
the leaders in this great moral reformation
are mistaken as to the means to- attain the
end with which they are 80 much eDgrossed.
Let public education be the burden Of their
theme. Let them urge it upon the Legisla-
ture to take some decisive step in the prem
ises; let them make as strenuous exertions
to educate and enlighten the masses then
they may expect them to become temperate.
Then will the dawn of Temperance burst
upon their, enraptured vision, the realization
more gorgeous than the fancy-created pic
ture that has so long dazzled their eager
gaze. The drunkard's dirge, the drunkard's
revel, the drunkard's yell, the synonym of
the yell of the eternally damned, will no
longer "shake the midnight air." Broad
mouthed oaths, hlasphemyi in short, the d.
alect Of hell, will become obsolete on earth,
and murder cease to thrive" Plenty and
contentment will cast their cheering light
into the prison-house Of despair, where now
the more than widowed mother,
IDEALS her scantystore,
To helpless babes, and weeps to give no more" I"
and laurels fresh will bloom for. these n,,rs-
lings Of poverty. The benefits arising from
this source will continue to expand in never
ending progression. 1t Isl the culture of d.
fruit that,will bloom and sripen throughout
the cycles. of eternity
We confidently point to this, well ar
ranged system Of public instruction, as the.
best preventive against drunkenness, crime,