Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-12

Press Convention:
"A new cra seems about to dawn
upon Louisiana, consequent upon the
successful completion Of the jcttics
and railroad connection with Texas
and while We hail with joy this prom |
isc of q brighter day for our beloved
State, this infusion Of life and energy
into its physical system, we cannot
afford to be urr;ndful of the moral
and intellectual development of her
citizens, necessary to keep pace with
the progress now fowsIadowcd. As
We look around and survey tho means
and appliances furnished to draw out
and develop the intellectual growth
OF her Sons, VIC arc confronted with
tho startling fact that under the OK
listing laws regulating public schools
only twenty cents per year for each
cducablc child is allowed by the State
to her children.
"lhis is the greatest libel that Lou
isiana could possibly inilict upon the
emblem she has chosen for her coat of
Of arms. Instead Of giving her life
blood for her children, she inhumanly
denies them the intellectual food ne
ccss;'ry for their mental growth, and
thus by u suicidal policy, IN insane
attempt at economy, she is not only
guilty of criminal injustice to her
offspring, but at csamc time delays
J tho development of her own rcsour-
ccs and retards her own prosperity.
She stands in her own light, and
wonders at the gloom and darkness
around her.
"Het her fiat go forth throughout
thclcngtland breadth ofhcr territory,
'Lct there hc intellectual light for all
my children" that they may be pro-
pared to exercise with reflection the
responsible duties Of citizenship, and
that tho seeds Of morality and virtue
may be sown broadcast Ovcr the land,
! to terminate and grow into a fruitful
harvest Of civil virtue and political
economy.
"Wc commend The consideration of
this important inject TO tho earnest
attcncst of the Press Conversion soon
to meet in Baton Rouge. Tho LA.
Journal of Education says: "Thc
proposed Convention Cultural Editors
will enable our excellent friends of the
"Rcvicw' and the Iouisianais' to
demonstrate hcncccssity ola literally
supported public school system, to
provide rural editors with intelligent
readers and applcciators of Their
opinions, no less than to secure the
prosperity and advance the civiliza-
ton of Louisiana"
ut is indeed tho province, and il
should be the pleasure of the Press to
foster and aid every thing that tends
to the enlightenment Of our fellow.
citizens. 1t is certainly it's interest te
do SO. Let the Press Convention cx.
anime the condition of tho Publ,
School system Of Louisiana bequcath
cd to us by the Constitutional Con
, vention and our late Legislature, an,
! determine upon some concert actor
} to remedy theevil by arousing thu
people and cnliglItcning our lcgisla
tors upon this important subject
Nothing that can come before the con
vention will be productive of more
good.
y "Wc sincerely regret that the stat
OF our finances prevents our attend
ance. Our heart will be with the con
=. ventiOn, and our sincere wish is tina
much good may result from its dclib
crati0ns. The Press is a power il
the land, and has been called TIN
fouth power of the government, an
it can be made an instrument of man
' great and lasting reforms in govern
ment and morals when it works !;
harmony. When the roll Of the con
u vcntion is called and the Review doe
not respond let some kind friend ans
wer, absent from cause and not fior
ii Indifference"
G At the Democratic State COnven
e ton held ut Saratoga, New York, job