The Russellville Democrat., 1879-02-13


 allowed to grow up ignorant and nncul- tivated. That even our material wealth may increase, our soil be put under the best state of cultivation, yielding an abundant supply of the necessaries, and even comforts Of life, vet without the manifestation of such an interest on the subject of education as will induce parents to make sacrifice to afford the facilities for the mental development of their children, Arkansss will remain ill the rear Of the march of prosperity. If we would keep pace with our sister states, and gain such Q reputation abroad that will induce men of intelliA gence and refinement to seek to avail themselves of the ample resources of our state. we must do more toward ad- yancing our educational interests Already has our State suffered. While our ample resources have been adver- tised to the world, and men have seen material wealth offered here as re- ward of labor, yet the poor facilities for education here prevented men Of char actef. capital and refinement from set ting among us, while | large portion of those who have been attracted thlth- erward, are those without means or social standing. Mir. Editor, we not only need, but deserve, q better class ol immigrants. The most of our original settlers, and their descendants are men of sterling worth, and are entitled to due need of. praise for what they have done in hewing the forest, and bring ing the virgin soil under cultivation. Indeed, through the energy Of these men of nerve, have the "wil0erness and solitary places been made to rejoice. " And in many places the rough log cabin has been replaced by Il comtorta- blc liabitation, and the original growth has been superseded by choice varieties of fruit-bearing trees, whose sweet blooms in spring regale the atmosphere with their delicious odors, and whose products in summer and fall satisfy the llnivesal demand for Natures choice luxuries. Thus we are prepared not only to welcome the best element Of society from other States, but offer them every inducement to settle among Us, so far as the material things or life are concerned. But this clement recog- nizes, on inquiry, sad dehciency. Our system of public school instruction is exceedingly defective and badly ope- rated. We have but few High Schools and Colleges, and what we have are badly sustained. Our University stands alone as financial success, and that Is sustained mostly at the expense of the State. These things are known facts to the world, and hence men who appre- ciate cultivation and refinement are not attracted to our state; and those who do come, are only those who are drlYen here by the turn of fortune, or come as volunteers in work ot good.
 . eN.t lRf n fl n to be. It is high time our good people were awakened. to their true interests on this subject. Neighboring States Schools and Colleges, and offering com mon school advantages to all, and are sending out their sons and daughters cultivated and refined, an honor to ltheir parents and an ornament to socie- ty. Arkansas in this regard is too far behind We are as.sable to build and sustain institutions of learning as they. And would it not be to our interest, ey- en in Il material point of view, to do so? And on this point let us close with di- rect appeal to he business men of our own town. We will bring the subject to your consideration by proposing this question Is there anything in which you could invest a few hunured dollars to better profit, than in d first class school building? With such building you could command and retain the first class educators, and not only be able to educate your own children at home, and thus keep in your midst yearly from s3. 300 10 $4.O00 dol lars, which are sent to other places, but you could make Russellyille an educa- tional centre for the whole surround ing country. You would thus attract to your town hundreds of dollars which otherwise would not cone; youi would draw here men from all quarters, and in q few years, more than double your population, and 1 dare say. your buSi- ness also. Business men, think of this matter, come to q right conclusion, and go ahead and take the lead in this essen tial element of your future success.
 More anon, SAXON.