The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-04-25

~ oAs SOot1 IL
-hdttor Orange5urg Democrat:
We were. much wpleased with your
short editorial in few issues back
on the subject of "Teachcr's Convep
tions,S sanq our only regrebwasstha bat
you fdid not write etmore. NO more
effective agent than i the press can be
employed in stirring up the people
and bringing subjeets5ofo Importance
to their attention. These "Teacher's
Unions'' or "Conycntions," just as it
suitsggeq lfsye ~ peegsorsgnnizqa IA n
several of the upper counties of the
State. Spartanburg has had such an
organization for some years, and it
is working successfully, and advape
tageously to the teachers connected
with it. Greenvillc has her "Union,"
and the work. of educating her youth
and disseminating useful knowledge
is progressing, harmoniously:.a Fair-
field Abbeyille, and Newberry have
filed in and are reapipg the benefits
of their teachers meetings. Then
why may not we in Orahg eburg 'coun-
ty, follow their example? Is it that
we are SO highly skilled in the science
of teaching that our stock of knowl-
edge cannot be fnrthcr Increased by
mutually discussing with, our fellow
laborers subjects 'yitally connected
with our high calling. AS member
of that honorable fraternity, we an
swer, No lat least our sidciof the
house is not too full.
The objects Of such organizations
are. many--7the prime one being the
mutual impr'oyyssmpeent p' ys 3 of thee, teachers
themselves, and q consequent eleya-
ton of the profession of teaching to
that station to which it is, entitled by,
its Importance. Views and expert
ences are intcrchansed. The, teach
ers give their experience--not their
conception. They tell, not what they
think might be done, but what, they
have gone, Or, having fairly tried,
have failed:to do: In this, way they
are very Beneficial. "",' : ~,
lQBtaers, unions, and societies Of
every conceivable name and for al
most every object under the sun,
have organized for the mutual
benefit Of their members. 'i'"a' : rs.
For the promotion Of Agriculture
the people have been harangued and
aroused from their lcthargy, and a
permanent organizations formcd, and
the press ana other effective agencies
employed to, ,Nkecp the subject before
the people" and to urge forward the
Car Of agricultural Improvement.
This is right-this is commcndable.
The welfare Of the country requires
it, and in this work We shall lend q
pushing hand. Nor have the people
been wanting in their attention to
politics. Sumptuous and eXtraya-
giant, entertainments have been pro
vided to call out tho humhlest peas
ants, to inform their minds and enlist
their feelings, and direct their influ-
ence to the preservation of'their civil
and religious liberties. This was
necessary for Correct decision Of the
great questions at Eissne. why have
the teachers not organized! Shocld
we esteem politics above education ?
Whysis it unnecessary for those who
WELD the "birchen sccptre," those to
whose care the. .tIaining Of immortal
minds is conGded, to meet and dis
cuss the bestamodes of fulfilling their
high, mission? will some Solop
please rise and explain. tiWe see no
reason for their inactivity in q matter
that shapes the veal or woe of our
commonwealth. 1t is only the unpar-
donable obstinacr in teacKers that
prevents the united efforts so ncces-
sary fora their interest and the i'm
provement Of those whom they in
struct.! Is the oflice-seeker Of more
Importance than ban the ti school teacher?
Then let Us have ati"Feachers' Con-
vention" in Orangobnrg. Let two or
three of the leading teachers in the
County meet ahpbint a&time ,sseieet
aplace, and let us organize. 70 the
the 'front.' yepqEdegoguesI Hoy cap
any one who loves his profession feel
Indifferent towards ~ movement
which has for itg object the encour-
sgement and promotion of the cduca-