The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-05-28
PERNICIOUs CRITICISM.

lished by the well known firm, Harper &
brothers, New York. A legitimate and
reasonable objection to the change is
made on the ground Of the additional
and guardians of children, necesstating
the purchase of new books IN lieu of
those now used but the main cause of
complaint urged by the papers referred
70 is, substantially, that the Harpcrs are
Republicans and have issued publica-
lions favoring the Northern and attack
ing the Southern views Of the unfortu-
nate sectional contest that has been
wageG III our country for the last thirty
years. Such a reason for opposition and
objection IS simply prcposterons, and
should not receive at the hands Of Mr..
mcnt's serious consideration, unless, in
deed, it be to devise the most effective
means of Graduating and correcting the
pernicious spirit which prompts it. Cues
tions Of party politics and the personal
opinions Of book publishers have no
earthly connection with the education
Of the youth of this or any other State
within the precincrs of the public schools,
ana those who are attempting to contra
vene this principle are doing themselves
and their people q serious injury they
are waving the bloody shirt, and keep
ty-conduct which they are not slow to
condemn in their political opponents.
The governing consideration in tho
selection of school books should be the
superior merit Of the works themselves,
and the officials charged with the aircc
ton and control Of the system. Of public
education in our State will be untrue to
their trusts when they fail to recognize
this rule rs their guide. Such questions
as the cost, time, manner and extent of
changes should of course DC duly weighed,
but they are subordinate issues, and will
be 50 regarded by all true friends Of ed
ucation.
In one or two instances, the partisan
organs assaultin9 Mr.. Fay have gone so
far as to intimate that his action has
been influenced By unworthy motives,
but this extreme view il vigorously con-
tested by those who. know him best, and
the CHIEF, which is not in political sym
pathy with the Superintendent OF his
critics, has no disposition to give Gre
,lencc to such insinuations. We arc will
ing to trust Mr.. Fay, rs az experienced
and practical educator, to make such
selections Of lcxt books for our schools
as will confer the greatest good on the
greatest number and contribute in the
largest measure to the progress of the
youth of the State in acquiring knowl-
edge, and snch opposition rs he has met
with serves to strengthen onr confidence
il his Judgment, faitl,fnlness and impair
tiality. His Office, above AL Others, is
non political III its character; he is, ple-
cmintntly, the servant Of the people and
not Of II party, and where such an official
incurs the cnmity of partisans for re-
insng to he influenced by political con
slcratons III the discharge Of lis duty,
it shoul'l be regarded as Il compliment
and endorsement Of the highest character.
TIE COFiELD GU.,RDS.-On Wclncs-
day, the 4tl' of April, tho Cofield Guards
Of Donallsonvilr, met at Phm.nix Hal
for the purpose Of ,corganiznS the com
mlnd, and the following officers were
elected:
Captain, DE. Jones,
First Lieutenant, Pierre Klopman,
First Lieutenant Junior, +. &. Elrl,art,
Second Lieutenant, r. NJ. McCnllo!,,
First Sergeant, i. i. Bentley,
Second Sergeant, Jno. I. Terrio,
Third Sergeant, A. J. Reynolds,
Quartcrmastcr Sergeant, VIM. d. Park.
The Corpor.lls remain rs before. The
weekly drills of the company have been
resumed, and there arc hopes that the
Guards viii not only maintain the pres
ti4o they lave already s,incd, bnt be
come the peer Of any similar organiza
ton III the State in drill and efficiency.
The material to accomplish this result is
available, boil! as regards the rank and
file Of tho command, and Ill that can
defeat til: aspiration will DC i lack Of
effort and want Of interest Oh tile part Of
the members. 1t would be i bright
feather in Donaldsonvllc's cap if she
could have the best military company in
Louisiana, and we feel confident the
CoGclI boys can win the distinction if
| they make mp their minds to do 50.
Onr genial friend Mr.. Geo 3. Rcnss