The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-03-14
PUBLIC SCHOOL TRAINING.

some years ago the opponehts OF punno
schools argued that the training received In
thete schools wss n detrimeft TO the beat
interest 81 the people and the country, IN
this, that Il unit the pupils for thu active
dniie' Of life. Aud occasionally We hear OF
some old lcgy who still entertsios and hai-
bors such impoluio aud sfnssless notions
A recent aud interesting debate on this
question In the southern and western press
has brought tn light msny important and
gratifying points on The rapid growth made
oy the publ schools during the last ten
wears. and unques,ionably dlsgfoves any
argument that mas been advanced by those
who ASHAMED the correctness 81 the propo'
sltion that public school training or educa'
tiop was hindrauce 10 the communities IN
which they exit.
Tho hl.tory OF common or public school
siuo ,iion In tina country "a oneto which wo
Oh III poin, with pride, aud those who In
lis infancy. predicted that its pupis would
only be- taught TO scorn labor when placed
In the field ~ active work, eau now rec aud
feel aui know how utterly gr0undless are
tho sentiments they then entertained.
The esiabl ishm,ut Of public schools was
originally iuisnded 10 promote the educa
tionsl inlorsois OF the poorer classes OF the
people. suiso u oroushly sysl,natised and
so eflcisit and us-iul has the system
grown that 1t is now the popular educator
OF al classes OF society, the rich ~ well rs
th~ poor being its patrons aud iriend9.
Ths system, however, has yet its ent-
mics, but from a goodly majority they
have dwinded into minority, and eech
year OF its snccess aud advancement new
fri.uds are ,dded 10 this lis; Of admirers.
a d IN but a short time all opposition vii
h we entirely disappeared. We are FREQ ana
Track to confess that the opponents Of pub
lie schools rome ten yesrs seo throughout
the south and west formed their opposition
m 10 upon prejudice rather than upon any
real fault thai could be decerned IN it.
working. But that aversion has long agp
gigen way to an admiration. until to-day
but few Indeed are left who can see no good
resulting from orr educational advantages.
the whole country, pi.ndid
syst IN Of education is offered to all, and
the son OF the blacksmith vies with the son
Of the banker in perieciipg himse in all
The branches OF learning. and prepares both
alike for the Bierner realii les of life, and
places the poor Of merit on an equality with
he Vealtby anu favored. Hence, to al
-la,,,s the pu bic school offers a practical,
Il not thorough education. The mecnan
10 In this day Of progress, improvement and
discovery, IL taught theoretically those
lessons which in after years enable him TO
achieve success practically. Their effsc,
IS TO elevate lat or aud to place more orna-
menis in the cial world. And last, buJ
not least, public school education is the
means OF tearing down the bulwsrks OF So
cal caste and giving all an equal chance to
merit, and to receive the admiration OF our
neehbors and friends. Refinement and ig.
noTanoe can never, will neVer, meet upon |
.le same vel, but when Ignorance 10 los
!, view aud the more refining sensiblities |
II our natures take its place the people will |
be- happier, far better contented, NJ well us
no @ prosperous. These results are accom-.
Dlish.a by "a true education aud what bet
er method ~ offered than that Of the
pub 1, school IL 10 throu-h This insttu.
mentality ths Tsxas with her S., 900 600 IN
bond, and currency aud 30 900 900 acres Of
aud as II bssis for her school fund, 10 rapid
y filing up with q progressive and eosus-
politsn people who desire TO cost shsir dss-
,iny ~ state that takes PRIDE In and
makes ample provision for tho thorough
duca ton of oil her children.