Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-07-06
Gnt1,nltlttstafintt.
"Let us Reason together
, b. about our School
g interests. t t-

The writer of this has no pur-
pose or disposition to praise or to
abuse anybody, but is anxious that
the people of Fayetteville should
be brought to think seriously a.
bout their educational interests at
home as well as their reputation
abroad. 1t is useless to talk now
about the value of schools as a
means of, educating and develop.
ling youthful minds, or of the i'm
portance of moral and intellectu-
al education as the most powerful
agents for tie promotion and pres
,ervation of the pride, the prosper
iity and the liberties of a peppie; ;
for these are facts, long establish
led, which none will dare bring in
question, but all, with one accord,
will readily admit. But, although
these are acknowledged truths,
and though we of maturer years
often feel very sensibly the lack
Of opportunities and facilities for
education in our young days, yet,
in the hurry and hustle Of busi-
ness life, we seem to forget these
facts and strangely neglect to
make permanent and suitable pro-
visions for the education of our
own children. And hence when
some sufficient cause or other does
bring a return of consciousness to
US, and we properly consider the
value and necessity of such men.
tai training and discipline as can
be acquired only in the school
room, and we are further impressed
with a sense of our obligation to
our children, then we are forced
to send them away from home for
education, because we have failed
to provide suitable school rooms
and procure competent teachers
for them at home. Thus the COM
forts and benefits of immediate
parental authority and association
are lost, a great additional ex-
pense is incurred, and risks and
Inconvenience without number
are constantly annoying US. Be.
sides, a goodly number Of US, even
if We were willing to run the risks
and suffer the inconvenience of
sending our children off from
home, are unable to bear the in
creased expenses. Hence it is
plainly patent to every thinking
mind that it is a matter manifestly
for the pecuniary interest and So
cial convenience of all, and a mat
ter of stern necessity, for want OF
funds, with a big majority that
our children should be educated
at home. But to do this suitable
school houses whether you pre-
fer to call them colleges and acad-
emies makes no 1difference) are alb
solute necessities. If we hope for
good results, we ought not to be
content with mere walls, but we
ought to see to it that our school
houses are sufficiently large. COM
modious and we'll arranged for the
comfort and convenience of both
teachers and students, capable OF
being made cool in summer and
warm in winter. Not only ought
they to possess suficiency of size
aud convenience of arrangement,
but they ought also to be amply
provided with all necessary school
furniture, and all finished off in a
style pleasant and attractive to
the eye. Let them be properly en-
closed with some sort of good fence,
the yards and recreation grounds
be dotted with suitable shade
trees, and provision for abundant
cistern or we'll water, where there
is no spring. In short, let them
be just such places as will make
school boys aud girls love to resort
to them, and not such as will
shame them, their teachers and
their parents, when visited by
strangers.
When this is done, then will our
schools be successful and prosper
GUS, for these precedent provisions
will induce large attendance OF
students and competent teachers,
and their situation will be such as
will inspire all with hope and
courage. Now why should we not
do ourselves the justice to provide
for such schools In our midst2 1t
is a duty that we owe to ourselves
and to our children. Other towns
and neighborhoods have nice Acad-
emy buildings aud big schools, and