Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-01-30
oQMMWMaoA1rq IONS.
FOR THE KEowEE COURIER.
Education.

6uUCaClOn,
Mr.. Editor: As your paper is nobly deyo-
ted to the interests of our District, ,swill you
kindly permit an humble citizen to say fcM
things, through your attfactive. columns, in
reference to the great cause of Education, and
the Importance ofau our citizens feeling a
deep interest, and taking an active part, in
tho advancement of the same.
And first, the character, dignity and intiu-
once of q district in the legislative halls of our
State, depend substantially on the degree of
intelligence, virtue ond integrity of the peo-
pie. An enlightened people Will be think
ing people, and n thinking people will be an
cnterprsing and independent people, having
selC-rcSreotanG solf-reliamce--the very foun-
duCion, in civil and political point of view,
of all honorable conduct, and of ell energy
aud p.. Seyorante in promoting the improve
mont aud prosperity of individuals, of fami-
lies, aud Of the whole community. Then let
all awake to the Importance and the support
of the cause of education, each individual
contributing by his example and influence to
its advancement, And, whilst on this sub
jcct, allow mo to say that perhaps no ono
branch of the cause is mere important TO the
public than the operation and influence of
the free school system; and, although not
| and oXerting u healthful inhConce in raising
the standard of intelligence among the poorer
classes.
And, Mr.. Editor, with pleasure would |
say, that among the numerous spectators, who
witnessed the proceedings of the Board of
Free s hools on last Monday, was the writer
| of thoS, wv lines; and, although most of the
Board consisted of members who had not be-
fore served in that capacity, yet he was graf
| ifea to see them indicating by thcir mauly
| and intelligent coup ptcpanecs--by their grave
and dignihed department, and by thcir sound
ness and lirmncss of principle-that they are
the men for the work. possessing laudable
public spirit and dcvoting themselves with
commcndable zeal to tho interests of the dis
trict, and to the happiness and well-bcing of
the poor. Weinfomed from hearing the rules
of the Board read which were mainly in con-
| formity with the statutes of the State, that
! they were and would be very strict with re-
! gard to the character and qualifications OF
the teachers to whom thcy would extend pub
! lie favor. This is as it should be. For sure
! ly nothing is more important than that those,
| (the tcachcrs) who are to onlighten the youth,
impress and mould the characters and CON
/ duct OF the rising generation, should be men
Of strictly temperate habits, of sound morals
and right conduct. 1t is we'll for the Board
| to feel their responsibility in this matter, and
! cHtenu countenance and patronage to no other
characters than such as come up to the requi-
sitions Of theirtales. A.rigid adherence to
| such rules cannot fail to do good, both to iu-
| dividuals and TO communities Already in-
stances may be found to illustrate the impor-
tancc and good of such stietness on the,part
of the Board.
| Persons of Incorporate habits, though 9th
crwiso qualified, have bccn barred by the
Board from public favors; and, in view of
their situation, they nationally resolved to re.
form and render themselves worthy of conf
dence and public favor. Such individuals S
should be far from complaining of the past
treatment of the Board, as they perhaps have
good reason to believe that they are ten times
moro profted in the end, having hcen led to
different course, and to show themselves
worthy of public patronage, which is most
| freely exteadod to them. Mr.. Editor: may
tho present Board lever relax, but firmly,
fcarlcssly and boldly so forward, raising still
higher and higher their standard of 1nalif-
cations of tho teacher till the cause of educa-
tion,, of good order, and good morals will tri-
umph and everywhere prevail in our District
ALPHA.