Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-11-08
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Amid all our efforts to accomp


grand results from improved powers
and public institutions none should
make such a draft upon our energies
as our public schools. For much of
the future success of the child depends
upon his early habits. The most i'm
pressible years of our life are those of
early childhood. These, two, are
traught with most danger because
while most impressible the mind and
heart are least able of themselves to
resist evil influences. The watchful
eye and yearning heart of the mother,
the care and council Of the father, are
needfull-to a successful resistance of
such temptations as are always
addressed to the young. How true is
this where the witching hours of night
throw mantal over the deeds to
which the unsuspecting are SO often
invited. How much does the parent
prise the opportunity of keeping his
loved ones by his side during the
evenings, and of enlivening the circle
gathered about the Preside with in
necent amusements, social chat, and
instructive reading. How far above
all price must be that institution
which will enable him to educate his
children within reach of home infu-
ence; such an institution is our public
schools. The future well being of the
child, as well as his moral welfare
pleads for the home schools
Statistics show that very few of the
pupils who are in constant attendance
upon our free schools, ever become
criminals, while the recruits for crime
and misdemeanor come largely from
those who neglect the public schools
or run away from them and deceive
their parents with reference to attend
ing the same. Close the doors of all
the public schools in the State to-day,
and let private enterprise spring to it's
fullest Pc ssible stature and a large
majority of the children would be at
once thrown into the street, to be
trained there for the prison, or the
poor house, or at least to be contamin-
ated by influences clustering about the
street schools.
The public school is free to all
without distinction of birth or circum-
stances. Monarchies order system
of education for the benefit of the
Monarch and the perpetuation of his
reign. Ours is for the people and the
perpetual ton of their reign. Confer
ing a benefit upon the entire people
it cannot but create love for the spirit
that gave it birth and attach those re-
ceiving its benefits to the inheritance
that demand and support it. Many
come TO us from lands where the
blessings of education are conferred
only upon the favored few. Here the
cup is pressed to their very lips and
they are commanded to drink, without
money and without price. This free
education not only teaches the value of
our institutions, but guides to a proper
use of the privileges bestowed. Con-
tiicting elements are entering into our
civilization; purify them and we shall
be blessed; but leave them uneducated
and unrestrained and they will prove
curse. To accomplish the former and
save US from the latter is one
of the peculiar missions of our public
schools. This alone will not accom-
plish all the work, but it will lay the
foundation; it will encourage the
habits of obedience, order, industry
and sobriety. If this is done there
will be laid with it the foundation of
love of country, and of reverence for
parent and parental advice; endearing
as the "reminiscences of school boy days
and fervent as the fondest recollections
of life and gratitude can ever be in
the human heart.
Then friends let US gather in cur
children from the street and 60 with
them into our public schools for ''idle-
ness is twin to crime," shun it.
OBSERVER.