Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-04-01
Union Of OcOncc
and the Educational
Interests Of tho
County.

MEssRs. ED1ToRs: 1t appears almost
useless for me to write any more on this
subject, but as long us there is life thero is
hope and no ono onn tell what tomorrow
will bring forth. Those interested in this
subject should keep on toiling regardless
of tho many disappointmcnts they meet
with and the indifference of a mujorty of
our people. We can effect little good,
and though the return for our labors be
small at first, Ict us hope that eventually
the return will be great aud fully satisfac-
tory No one should over tire of working
for that which he secs is for the good of
his fellow man. We cannot expect to work
a revolution in the educational systcm of
the county in few months. 1t will
require time and patience as we'll as hard
work. Men arc inclined to follow ia the
footsteps of their parents, or to express it
in familiar way, to do as they did when
they wele young. Tho Teachers Uuion
is something new and apparently somo.
thing that is not properly understood by
our people. Why it is that our teachers
do not show moro interest, cannot under
stand, 'Tis something beyond my comrrc.
hcnsion. can only ascribe one excuse
for it aud it is this, that they catch the
infection from the patronsof our schools.
TO this ascribc the present condition of
our schools. They appear to bo afraid to
cxpend little money in giving their chill
dren tho best possible legacy that they
could leave them. This legacy would be
an inheritance that would be lasting and
ennobing. desire to speak plainly, for
plain speaking is essential to arouse the
people to proper appreciation of cducat-
ing their children. Until this is affected
the efforts of the teacher will be in vain.
Never mind how we'll prepared the teacher
may bc to impart instructions, lie cannot
instruct the child that remains at home
simply because be does not want to 70 to
school and because the public money has
beon exhausted. Let the parent consult
his conscience under these circumstances,
and he will, if he has any regard whatever
for the welfare of his children, soon como
to the conclusion that he is not duing the
part of parent toward them. The duty
OF parent toward his child is maintenance,
educston and protection, and when he
ncglects any OF csc essentials he is neg
lectlDg his duty as parent, without he has
some good excuse, as in the education of
his children: poverty or some other una
yoidablo circumstance.
As to the teachers, even though they
are no: properly supported by tho patrons
of their respective schools, still this should
bo no excuse for their non attendance at the
meetings of tho Union. It should rather
mako thcm more anxious to attend in ordor
to cndeavor to create an interest among
the people. Because others fail to do their
duty is no reason why wo should neglect
ours. Will this effort be condemned
without sufficient test as to it's merits?
1t looks So at present. II not so, then why
this apparent neglect Of 90 important o
subject? Is it because tho people have
not been fully advised of the aims of tho
Union? or because there are none to push
tho cause of education? uavo no persons
cxertcd themselves to Induce both teachers
and others to attend and fully test the
merits of the undertaking? Let the past
speak for itself All have been implored,
solicited, yea, too, even begged to aid us.
You have in Walhala willing and able
workers ir this cause--mcn who have not,
nor will in the future, spare any paius that
will create an interest 10 the important
subject of educating the rising generation.
They arc men who arc daily toiling for tho
public. There are some men TINT are in
tcrested 10 this matter, for this is evidenced
by tho colleges of which Walhala and the
county arc justly proud. They stand forth
as monuments to their praise. Then
again wo have strong aidor in tho
COURIER, which has willingly given us tho
use Of its columns, for which it is due much