The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1886-11-20
No. %.

evergreens; nothing disturbing its
smooth surface except the occasional
passage of Il white winged sloop, or
schooner, with its tapping sails, or a
snowy steamer, the pulsing engine Of
which wakes many echoes in the silent
Oests round; and when the sun sets
god Is flushing river and shore, a more
lovely sight we could not behold. Here
we nave Il country capable OF the great
est agricultural resources; a rich allu-
vial soil which will produce almost
every variety of crop. Here, too, we
have a most delightful climate, subject
TO neither extreme heat nor excessive
cold. This country, including some
other parishes, has been called, and
justly 50, think, '.The eden of Louis
lana AS write one stanza of poem
crosses my memory which may not be
out OF place here:
20 thou mysterious land of the SUM-
A realm more fair than poets dream,
The dazzling North, the stately West.
Nhat are they compared with thee.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AS to the public schools, they seem
to be in Il tolerably tlourshing condi-
ton. Nhat Is most needed is proper
appreciation and patronage Oh the part
OF parents This parish is fortunate in
having an efficient School Board. the
members OF which have at heart the
welfare Of the schools who are labor
ing increasingly for their upbuilding;
and We are glad to note, not without
success; for the people seem to be daily
becoming more and more Interested
At present the school fund is in u
healthy condition, and is economically
handled; and if the public school inter
ests OF every parish arc as well cared
Tor as IN this, and the people are i'm
bued with spirit OF progress as they
seem to be here, the time is not far
distant when 'The banner of the Creole
state" will no longer "Trail in the
gloomy vale Of ignorance" but will
wave its folds triumphantly in the
breeze. Then will the School Board
receive just and due credit for it's efforts
i'll building up the educational interests
of this parish.
The sunshine, ave shall light the sky,
AS round and round we run;
And the truth shall ever come uppermost
And Justice will be done.D
We need DO colleges here at present,
but u. number of good, solid public
schools. The average intelligence of a.
country is raised, not by educating a
few in the higher branches, but by edu-
eating the masses.
The work that we believe is the great
lever which is to lift the world out OF
the bonds OF ignorance is public school
education. There has been some men-
ton made Of the School Boards man.
ner Of teaching children how to spell
and read. We think that the prc-requi-
site to Il good education is proper in
struction at the beginning; it is by begin
ming at the bottom and working up. that
solid success is insured. A right start
i'll any undertaking is necessary for
success. Proper instruction at the be-
ginning is necessary, because it is the
! foundation, and every superstructure is
good or bad i'll proportion as the foun-
dation is correctly or Incorrectly laid.
| 1t is to be hoped that parents will all
avail themselves of the opportunities
now offered for educating their children,
and not send them forth to fight lifc's
battle wholly without the protection
{ and help which an education affords.
The children Of this parish are naturally
| bright and intelligent-equal in natural
intelligence to the children of any cline.
Al that is necessary is educaton-a
I development Of their natural powers
In every calling of life education is
necessary. 1t is not only an advantage
in 4 financial point of view, but adds
greatly to the pleasures of life, ennobles
and eIeyates the mind, broadens the
scope OF thought, improves morally as
well as mentally; III fact, an almost end
less article might he written Oh the
advantages of education.
! Parents, in sending to school, should
send regularly. No child can be eX-
pected to make much progress who is
in school one day and 0ut two. A spirit
Of emulation among children aids great
~ in their advancement; this can not
be aroused without regular attendance,
nor without their being properly classed.
The school directors and parents should
visit the schools more often and note
the progress OF children. 1t shows that
patrons are interested and spurs both
teacher and pupil to greater exertions,
i and causes better progress than woald
otherwise be made, if they are left TO
"Gang their own gait" Fl.
d ns----