The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-09-18
For the anderson Mtellsgencer.
WILLIAMSON, Sept. 16,

WILLIAMSON, Sept. 16, 1873.
Mr.. EDITOR In behalf of the cause of ed
ucation and of the colored school at this place,
I !deem' 1T proper to give a short account of
the examination that came off last Saturday
in the school under the charge of Mr. G. D.
Williams.
Early Saturday morning the colored people
.of Williamson and surrounding country we're
seen hastening in the direction of the spring
and stand, which, with surroundings, afford a
pleasant retreat from the heat of a September
sun and by 10 o'clock a.. m, quite large
crowd of colored people was assembled in the
shady grove in front of the stand, where
speeches are wont to be made. This spot, as
all know who have seen it, is most delightful
place, and it would seem that nature designed
it place Of social gatherings, and even the
Muse might draw inspiration from its pleasant
surroundings. But 20 proceed with our nara
tive. When we arrived upon the ground the
colored band from Greenville was enlivening
the scene by some of its sweetest strains, which
it continued at intervals to do throughout the
day. The exercises OF the school commenced
by repeating the Lords Prayer, that highest
model Of petition to the Throne of Heaven.
The examination of the classes, beginning with
the multiplication table and ending with e1er-
cises upon the blackboard, was then gone into,
and when we say that proficiency in the several
branches was shown by the pupils, we fail to
convey fully the satisfaction it gave US, for
they displayed aptness and training beyond
anything we were prepared to expect. The
exercises would have been creditable at any
time or place, and the pupils behaved through
out with the utmost decorum.
A want of time did rot permit so full an
examination as was intended, but there was
enough to satisfy the minds of all present that
both teacher and scholars have been industri-
Gus and deeply in earnest in the importation
and acquisition of knowledge.
A little after IL, notice was given that in
termission would be taken, and all present were
invited to repair to the tables outside the spring
enclosure, where feast Of good things awaited
them. The invitation wan cheerfnlly accepted,
and we were soon satisfying our appetites with
flesh, fowl and sweet meats that were spread in
rich abundance. Dinner over, the school again
marched to the stand to hear more music and
some speeches. Some Of the little boys and
girls declaimed their pieces-which they had
committed safely to memory-which is more
important than anything else in such exercises.
Mr.. Featherston, of Anderson, was then in
troduced to the audience, who proceeded to
impress upon their minds the Importance of
education, maintaining that it is the most efec-
tive means of refining the minds Of the people,
and fitting them for some. useful station in life.
He advocated the view that he who understands
and appreciates his own rights, will mos! likely
respect the rights of others. The sentiment
entertained by favored few "that a little
learning is dangerous thing" was denounced
in appropriate terms, holding, however, that it
might be true in one sense, tc wit: That when
learning puffs men up and makes them con-
ceited, then "a little learning is dangerous
thing" The address was accepted as well
suited to the occasion.
We noticed one thing Oh this occasion that
was to us cause for regret, viz: there were but
few white persons present to cheer the Coz. ref
people, and encourage them in the cause of
education, Notwithstanding the time has come
when every man must see and recognize its i'm
portance. The examination and occasion was,
at all events, a very enjoyable one, land we can
but hope that We may more frequently have
opportunity to enjoy like occasions.
SPECTATOR.