The Russellville Democrat., 1876-06-22
The Press and the Common
 Schools.

These two-the Press and the Common Schools-may properly be grouped together as the two great agencies for civllizing and enlight- ering the world. They go hand in hand-as the one flourishes, the other prospers-and wherever both are found to be prospering, there will be found prosperity, enlighten- ment and happiness among the peo- pie. All history demonstrates this.
 We are proud to see that there is new interest developing itself on this subject in the State of Arkan- sas, and particularly are we proud to see that the Press of the state is leading the van in the movement. Aside from its duty to the state. aside from the duty which it owes to the public, and aside from the fact that the very objects and aims of the press are to enlighten the world, ,-aside from all this, if this were not suflicient--there might be selfish reasons enough given, to show that the Press of Arkansas should go to work earnestly to se- cure better educational facilities in Arkansas. The press can only prosper, and newspapers are only demanded and read by intelligent people. It is well known that the greater the intelligence of any com munity, the greater support they give to the newspaper. Indeed blot out intelligence ill the masses, and the newspaper dies; and on the other hand, destroy the press, and the standard of intelligence and civili- zation will soon sink to state of mi-barbarism.
 The press of our State have taken up the pen in favor of popular edu- cation. At the recent meeting of the Press Association the following resolution was adopted:
 WHEREAS, The true mission of the Press is to labor for the enlighten- ment and civilization of the masses, and to encourage all means which are calculated to ameliorale the con- dition of mankind; and, whereas, the cause of education is closely al- lied to this aim of the Press;
 Therefore, be it resolved, First, That the press of the state of Arkan- sas will make it one of their special aims to encourage and stimulate in the masses of the people greater interest in educational matters.
 Second, That we earnestly recOm- mend that our legislators give this matter that attention which its im- portance demands, to the end that the efficiency and facilities of ouI public school system may be at least such as to afford every child an op- portunity to a 3quire good common school education; and that we will cordially lend our aid to bring the masses of the people to the support of good system of public schools.
 We trust the entire press of the state will enter in to this work with a hearty good will and with spirit which will not flag until the educa- tional facilities of Arkansas are as good as any of her sister states.
 The State Convention has again placed at the head of the school sys- tenn of the state Mir. Geo. w. Hill who by his action during his first term, showed much zeal and ener. gy in the carse. We trust that Inc may, be able during the term fol which he Is to be reelected. contin, ne to work, and even redouble his efforts, in the interest of our publi, schools. And let the newspapers ol the state do their duty. They can do a great deal by carrying ou through their columns, the spirit ol the resolution which they adopted at the meeting of the Press Associa. tion.