The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-05-17
(C0mmun,cated,l

~~~s "ss~ 0s~~s essAs~Sys S00S w
have followed the movements Of the
Scotland Neck Literary Society"
Such . movement. - We understand
theirs to b. can not but prove health.
fal to the literary culture throughout
our community. Organisations Of
this character are frequently the
fountains from which spring the
mightiest geniuses that have graced
the annals Of our land. In these as.
sociations subjects are brought for.
ward. and suggestions made that
nsst turn the inquirinS mind from
yroveling narrowness into those
channels which tend to broaden the
views and enlarge the capacities.
An interchange of opiolons often
corrects erronious ideas, making men
cautious and anxious 70 know the
truth of things merely stated - facts.
The thinking mel Of the world
have agreed that the safeguard Of all
republican institutions lies solely in
. general diffusion Of intelligence !;
that our future success ~ . nation
depends upon whether or not We ed
ucate the masses of our people to an
appreciation Of their liberties. Then
should We not awake to the spirit OF
the age, and lend our aid in the sup.
port Of that upon which alone We de.
pend for our political welfare
Should We net throw wlos oI>n tie
portals Of education. leaving no stoae
unturned that the greatest oppor.
tunities for culture may be ohorded
our youths !?
How often are our hearts made te
bound with joy At hearing our com
munity spoken of as one Of Nortf
Carolina's most intelligent. W.
must deserve this reputation, wheth
er it has been spoken in fattery O
in truth. What We suggest, yes
urge, is, that one ard all unite ant
aid those who are making such de
termined effort towards the establish
ment of q permanent literary asso
citation in our midst; one that viii
10 honor, not only to our town. bu
to the State.
| For more than six weeks thes
half dozen young men have calle
meeting after meeting, and receive
in response the aeaf car Of the put
lie! They have combatted the se
+ verest weather and public indiffernc.
} and to their credit be it said the
have produced . constitution tha
should be . source of honor to then
and of pride to our people. Seein
, their zeal and enthusiasm. ever
) citizen. who has the interest of tn
, community 1t heart. should give hi
I ASST stance in 80 praisewOrthy
cause.
1t is = mistake, founded in ig
norance. that . mans education
completed within. the mar row confine
Of An academy building or collea
/, walls. Men are only prepared ft
7 study by the use Of text boz k
Everything Of worth in this life mus
be practical, and that institution, n
ISOLATION, or society that affords q
I portunity for practical work shout
). be upheld and promoted. not only +
D countenance, but by means of labo
President Battle, of the Univers
Ity, says his observation has beef
that the work of these socleties Ca
| not be undervalued. Without thel
any institution of learning is 3 fai
ure. Scotland Neck is sending yea
ly more students to college than al
town i'll the State twin It's size. W
have some Of these boys return hon
every Sum" er. When they come Il
them find the literary atmosphere I
their native town no less laden vii
II the germs Of intelligence than tn
81 which enveloped the clseslc walls
!, their alma n,uter let them cOntin'
u here the onward march. never doffil
- that burning desire for excellen
- which imbusd them during their ST
10 1t college. With these principles ev
I'll in view. We will, ere long, attain
" shat degree of excellence which h
40 placed Lexington aud Lynchbul
Va, pre.eminent among the tlitera
communities Of the new world.