The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-07-12
For THE HERALD.
The Garmany School Picnic

Came of on Wednesday, the 4th of July, |
and Il has seldom been our privilege to
witness so pleasant an occasion Of the kind. |
This school is presided over by Mr. J. G.
Martin. There had been some arrangements |
begun for some exercises in The school and
program had been contemplated, but owing
to the sickness of Dir. Martins wife, the
school had not met for some days, and the
program had never been completed. We
had hoped TO see Mr.. Martin take his school
through the daily routine Of exercises in
their regular order, but owing to the misfor
tunes as stated above, there was only singing
and speeches by some of the scholars, we
did not get in in time to hear all the speak
ing, only four or five of the boys spoke
after our arrival. Their speeches, we
thought, were well put, with evidences Of un-
developed oratorical powers.
Mrs. Texie Wilson, with her organ, render
ed the music and gave an interlude between
the speeches. After the pupils had spoken,
Major J. X. Nance was called on for q speech,
and with his usual suavity, responded by
complimening the children for the rapid
strides they have made in their literary at
tainments, and fattering compliment to
their teacher, for his proficiency as an in
structor. He said that his own children had
made more progress in five months under
Mr.. Martins care than for any two years
previous under other teachers. Major Nance
closed by introducing Mr.. Henry Boyd of
Prosperity. Mr.. Boyd catechised the chill
dren little on the historical events Of 1776,
showing why the 4th July in each year is
commemorated as the birthday of our indie
pendence, and is q national holiday. He
then made brief speech on Southern litera-
ture and showed very clearly how important
it is for parents and instructors generally to
keep trashy novels and worthless literature
out of the reach of our children and young
people generally, but rather place in their
hands good books Of Southern production,
something substantial. entertaining and true
l hope Mr.. Boyd viii, hand lis manuscript to
ye editors for publication. Mr. Boyd certain
ly reflected great credit on himself. We BE-
speak for hin successful future. He is
undoubtedly young man of fine brain and
high attairments, for one so young and yet
so unfortunate.
Our County School Commissioner, Rev J.
C. Boyd. was then called on, and responded
in an address Of thirty minutes. He spoke
of two difficulties in his way; one was the
fact of having two races to deal with, which
ne said was hindering cause; the other was
the very limited amount of money approprla-
ted for the carrying on Of the free common
schools. Mr. lloyd, have no doubt, sees
the first difficulty Of which he spoke; but he
failed entirely to show US where the difficulty
lies. The other trouble is quite manifest,
we can all sec that. and do feel it sensbly.
He gives the average appropriation per
capita, for Newberry County at three dollars
and forty cents (S3.4G); which, he says, and
we all know, is entirely insufficient; and re-
commends that the people do supplement t,iat
with an amount sufficient to run the schools.
He advises the employment of good teachers
only. Mr.. Boyd further said that in his
opinion no one should be allowed 10 send to
the public schools, who did not pay some
thing themselves. We think Mr.. Boyd is
wrong there, for we all know, (Mr. B. not
excepted} that there are great many people
in our County, both white and black, who
are not able 10 pay anything for tuition, and
that would totally deprive all such of giving
their children any education at all, that
would be wrong, and to say the least very
uncharitable. He did not speak as having
any hope for the success Of our free common
schools.
Mr.. Boyd then eulogized Mr.. Martin as
teacher, in the very highest terms. He
spoke of him as being ripe scholar, man
who had educated himself, had acquired his
education at home, had devoted the prime of
his life to teaching, and as having his whole
soul enlisted in the work. A moral man. q
man of brain, and man who does his own
thinking. And finally said that if Mr.. Mar
tin was not present, he would speak at some
length about him. We feel at loss to |
know what more he could have said to Mr.. |
Martins credit, had he not been present |
Mr.. Boyd then congratulated the people in |
having such teacher. He said much had |
been said of late about new methods of |
teaching, but that there was much more in |
men than modes of instruction. He conclud- |
ed by advising the patrons not to let their |
teacher pass from them.
Mr.. Martin then made few remarks |
appropriate 10 the occasion; and expressed |
himself as having no fears for the future of |
his pupils. He hoped to see the public school |
system success, and believes that it will at |
no very distant day be the pride Of the land. |
He thanked his patrons for their co-opera- |!
ton which is great help to teachers, and !
thanked the audience for their genteel deport- |
meut during the exercises. He gave US q |
cooter tale, and closed until dinner could be |
set. now come 10 the part that everybody |
is always interested in-dinner.
The best shade had been selected, and Nh.
H. C. Wilson called out Justify for everybody |
who had basket stuck about anywhere to |
bring it there. Strange how quick the |
call was responded to, for in less time than
it takes to write if, long table was spread, |
we'll loaded with the best Of viands when, |
after blessing by Rev. Mr.. Boyd, q general
attack was made all along the line. The |
engagement lasted near an hour when the |
attacking columns all fell back, leaving un-
mistakable evidences of dreadful carnage. |
One poor fellow was heard to say as he re-
tired, that he did not feel one bit hungry. |
There were more than 130 people well fed, !
and plenty left for 10 more. After dinner |
the old people gathered in groups in the |
shades, and engaged in social conversation;
while the young folks repaired to the school |
house and enjoyed themselves tripping the |
light fantastic. Thus we celebrated the |
fourth of July with as much general enjoy |
meat as You ever see in so large crowd.