Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-10-28
Our Educational Enterprises.


We have ventured to write very
freely upon the above subject, and are
gratifed that many persons who are
looking to our future prosperity very
heartily endorse the views we have ex-
pressed. We do not wish to be under
stood as undertaking. the many impor-
tant enterprises that have added so
much to our welfare in the past, and
must continue to be an important source
of business energy in the future bat
we must be permitted to express the
belief that in our schools properly sup.
ported and encouraged, we must find
our chief reliance for an increase of
material prosperity. Our manufactures
and old established lines of business
will do their part, and they are indis-
pensable. They should have and will
have the encouragement they deserve.
Everything that promotes our real well
fare must be recognized as an impor-
tant factor in our efforts to regain what
we may have lost by change of con-
ditions, and to carry us forward to bet
ter things than we have known. In
these respects our efforts in the past
have been highly trustworthy, but for
many years we have given only pas
sive encouragement to our schools. We
have kept aloof from them or only
looked on as spectators with only a
transient interest. We have been
afraid to invest in them, and have left
to the individuals In charge of them
the whole burden of supplying all the
important requisites for carrying them
on efficiently and successfully, as though
they alone were benefited by the re-
suits. These individuals have worked
faithfully and at great sacrifice, and
with so little active aid upon our part
it is truly a matter of astonishmen
that they have succeeded so well. But i
! shows what can be done if we will al
? put our shoulders to the wheel, anC
: with united effort press on the worl
s with undated vigor.
n Every student that is brought her
+ from abroad adds that much to tn
: general welfare of the whole commu
], nifty, and every one shares in the bene
It fits. Almost any one has sufficient in
fuence abroad to bring in at least on
n student, and the efforts necessary to sc
: cure that end could be put forth with
n out any sacrifice or inconvenience o
1t the part of any one. If such an ii
e terest could be aroused in behalf of gu
r, schools on the part Of all our people,
j. would not be six months till our college
r would be crowded, and there would b
1t such life and activity in our midst. {
Of we have never seen before.
N That this picture is not overdrawn
o. clearly shown by the state of thing
is existing in any town or city where tt
Or people are united and persistent in the
le efforts to sustain their schools. Co
r. cert of action and feeling is absolute
ne essential to the largest measure of su
's, cess. To obtain this, old, prejudice
re always groundless, must be laid asid
If we must get out of the ruts that ha'
ey so long directed our movements, thrc
al aside our extreme conservatism, al
'e- enter upon progressive, active, st
ais ring policy that will bring success d
Ike spite any and all difficulties. We a
all alike interested in these things, Al
Ia now let our common efforts be CONNIE
m. surate with our common interests, al
rot equal benefits will flow in glad abb
,er dance to us all.
oil We have spoken only of the ma
he rial and financial advantages to be (
en-. rived from large and prosperous scho
NV in our midst. But what are these
on comparison with the moral, social a
on. intellectual results that flow from tn,
Of institutions? They create an atm
of phere of refinement aud social cult
for in which it is refreshing to live, a
of whose influence must leave an impr
of for good upon those who are to cop
tute the society of the future. o.