The Osceola times., 1885-06-06
Education n Duty.

OF all the difficulties and incon-
venicnces that bcset the farmer,
none are more serious or deserving
of thoughtful consideration than
those that stand in the way of the
education of his children. His
trouble in this respect is augmented
or diminished according to the densi-
ty or sparsity of the population of
the district in which he lives.
Though he may have some means
Sufficient under ordinary circum-
stances to send his children to school)
yet if he lacks that cooperation
consequent upon integration of So
ciety he finds it next to impossible
to accomplish his purpose. Even
the poorest, whether black or white,
living near the larger villages in
this respect are better off than he.
According to our common school
system, it is optional with the citi-
zens of the district whether they
vote tax for school purposes or
not. will add right here that |
think it an excellent way, but it is
not often that i, is taken advantage
of, in manner to secure the best
results; many are opposed to it be-
cause they say it is not right to
take one Van's money to educate
another mans children with; that
in doing this you invade the sacred
precincts of justice, and question
the right Of property. But there is
another side to the question il,
which justice is equally involved.
Every citizen is indebted to society,
for all of us reap some Of the bene-
fits that accrue from its integration,
(else all taxation is unjuso. That
man who lives SO far in the wilds as
to be isolated, realizes to its fell
extent the advantages that arises
from having ncighbors especially as
his children grow up; he sees before
him the almost herculcan task of
having them educated, no matter ii
he owns all the land in the region
where he lives if there are only him
and his family, he must suffer all
the disadvantages consequent upon
such isolation But as an integra-
tion OF society begins and progress
es, he finds that many of his difficult
ties and disadvantages recede.
Though his neighbors be the poor
est of the poor--mere laborers on
his estate-they have at least
brought their necessities with them,
and must work to supply their
wants, and from the products Of
their labor arises commercial advan-
tages, enhancement in value of
property, and possibly educational
advantages. No man has done this
but all together-the agregate--a and
as this aggregate increases the advan-
tages increase, and as people be-
come aware os the favorable condi-
ton of society, integration will go
on; it is as "the leayen that leaven-
eth the whole lump" Then let US
concede to every one his right. If
by his presence amongst us he
proves a public benefit, let us ac-
cord to him his share of such benefit
at least do not let us in endeavor-
ing to deprive him of his right cheat
ourselves of the advantages of So
cietv. If we cannot love our neigh
bors as ourselves, if we cannot even
do justice by them, at least let us
be polite enough to avoid social sui
eide. In other words do not "cut
your nose off to spite your face"
Every one who comes among us, be
he rich or poor, no matter how un-
fortunately ignorant, adds to what
ever advantages we possess, be-
comes an integral part of society
and we cannot ignore him. If he
is but a boot black he has brought
his necessities with him, and must
ply his vocation in order to supply
his wants--thus rendering it possi-
bic for those who are able, to enjoy
the luxury OF having their boots
biacked. He is a member of the
social system of the great body
polite, and you can no more abridge
his right, without experiencing dire
consequences, than you can do vio-
lence to any member or part OF your
body without feeling more or less
pain. If we would have a health.
ful, harmonious growth of society
we must make its conditions favora-
BILE. The bound, dog in the
manger policy will not do; we must
overcome our prejudices and try to
do our duty to our fellow man.
Viewed from the standpoint Of sell
intcrcst-the lowest consideration
it is best. Because n poor mans
child may reap part at the benefit
e ,..rsl lYs..l L.. f...alssl "a nf .Ht.fl-