The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-05-02
School Examination-0u Duty.

We had the pleasure of witnessing the
exercises of the large public school conduct
ed by Mr.. and Mrs. W. Fl. r. Workman, in
the Orphan Society's Academy, on Monday,
last
The school was opened in January of this
year, and now numbers sixty-6ve scholars,
ranging in age from infancy to adolescence.
The exercises embraced singing, ricitations,
&C., and were characterized by considerable
profcicncy-indeed, surprising for such
young children as many of th'm arc, and the
first time they have been at the school.
The parents ofsome of the children-la-
dies and gentlemen-invited guests, were
present, and seemed much pleased. We no
ticed also the presence of Mcssrs. j. E. Suth-
erland and Jno. A. Boswell, trustees ofpub-
BE schools, and Frank Carter, superintendent
of education. They were there, no doubt,
to represent the interest supposed to be felt
by the State in the cause of Public Instruct
ion.
We would like to ask the white people of
Camden, those who are responsible for the
wellbeing of society, aside from political con-
sidcrations, whe her they are doing their du-
ty in this matter of Public Instruction. Here
is the largest white school in Camden; we
learn that it is to be closed as free school
for the want of funds, if the citizens of Cam
den do not maintain it at their own expense.
We object, on principle, to free school, for
these reasons: First, because the authoriz-
ed supervision Of the school is not such as
we like to see the children Of our pure and
good neighbors subjected to. Second, be-
cause the books crammed down the throats
of the unfortunate pupils by the State au-
thorities, abound in Yankee spite, Yankee
pervcrsions, Yankee cuteness and Yankee
Doodle generally. Third, because VIC deem
it to be the duty Of our own people to edu-
cate our own unfortunate children in our
own ideas, our own tastes and sympathies.-
Fourth, because we believe it to be the part
of wise policy and true bencvoence to
establish in Camden common school for the
training of our children in social duty as
well as in letters, in accordance with the
changes in the condition Of our people since
the war. We believe they should be brought
up with common sympathlcs upon the plane
of community of race, community of interests
= and community of destiny, remembering our
common sacrifices in the. past, and common
suferings in the present
The Camden Orphan Society has been be-
qucathed to us from our fathers. 1t is an
institution originating in the idea that the
people should organize to educate their off
springs That race of men and women whom
We are accustomed to refer to in memory, as
most entitled to our reverence and respect,
the fathers and mothers of the community,
were educated in the Camden Schools cstab-
Ished by this society, and conducted for
many years upon scale oflibcrality and en-
lightenment which was worthy of all praise.
The first blow to theirschool was given when
it was supposed necessary to separate the
sexes. The next, when private schools were
established at more expensive rates than
came within reach of the great body of the
people. The Schools and the Society went
down, and now the latter is only kept up by
afew gentlemen wholly unable of themselves
to do more than keep it together. The accu-
mulated wealth which broke up these COM
mon schools, no longer exists here. We are
all poor alike, however little We may think
Of it. To secure the blessings of education,
We must again unite the community in the
support Of common schools. Let us all unite
upon the basis of the Camden Orphan Socie-
ty, and establish at least one of that charac-
ter. The annual meeting of this ancient and
honorable institution will be held at the store
Of DR.. J. A. Young, on Monday next, at -
o'clock NJ. The society, we understand, will
welcome any accession to their membership,
which would give ali their friends an inter-
est in the cause of education, under their
own supervision and control. We trust that
many will avail themselves of this opportu-
nifty of contributing to the cause of cduca-
ton. The best hope Of the future lies in this
direction; the preservation of Southern ideas,
Of Morality, Religion, and civilization.
A License TO Preach the Gospel.