The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-08-12
SPEECH OF HON. F. B. GARY.

Intelligence Rules the WOrld...IGnOr.
ance Has Always SubOrdinated 10
InteIligence...Skill and InteIli.
gent Labor i'm Demand. Intelli.
gence Necessary for n Peoples
Prosperity Industrial Institutions
for rGirIs--ImpOrfanceO ce Of the Teach
eFs WOrk.-.The Possibilities of
Youth.
The Chairman said:
The first speaker who will address you Is n
member OF a family whose sons have been
distinguished In war and In peace. and whose
personal worth and popularity is acknowl-
edged by all. take pleasure In presenting
the Hon. F. B. Gary:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
II is related Of the Great Napoleon, that he
made 1t q rule. never TO speak IN puollc WIN
out having thoroughly prepared nj himself:
this course was, that If he had no reputation
as a speaker, he was sure to make none-and
If he had such q reputation ne would surely
loose II. Were 10 adopt similar, rule, l
would not appear before you to-day, 1or
your kind invitation TO be with you came TO
me but short time ago, and amidst the
routine duties of law office, which at thls
time devolve upon me alone, have had but
speech. But appreciating, as do, the compli-
ment which you have paid me, and desiring
TO renew and extend my acquaintance with
people whose hospitality Is Proyer6iai, l
could not fUrego the pleasure or making
few rambling remarks to-day.
At the outset am embarrassed to deter
mine what to talk about. Not being a politi-
clan, and being precl cluded by reason OF my
profession from being an Alliancemen. 1t
would be violation of the proprleties Of this
occasion for me TO discuss the Free Coinage
OF Silver or TO discourse upon the beauties OF
the Sub-Treasury Bill But be1ng as am;
an ethusiast on the subject OF education and
recognizing TINT this IL a holiday occasion,
and that you have met for the purpose Of
encouraging the pupils Of this school IN their
efforts, and Of bidding the teacher god.speed
as appropriate to this occasion, the subject or
Education. In studying the history OF the
past we are reminded that the educated man
has always controlled the civilization and
destines OF the country.
Ignorance has at all times been .subordi.
nate TO intelligence, and to-day educatlon,
religion and civilization are as beautifully
and Us inSeparably blended as the three
unities of the Greek Tragedy.
Besides these general advantages which the
man of intelligence has over the Ignorant
man, there are especial reasons why we of
the south should make every effort to edu-
cate the children OF our country.
The late war which was so disastrous to us,
not only left US In an Impoverished condi-
tIon, but 1t also enfranchised the negro, great.
ly out numbering US, and with whom we
must com pete I'm the race Of life. Hitherto
we were enabled to control him by reason Of
q property right in him. But heEceforth IL
we hope to have him subordinate TO US,
rather than as our master, II must be by rea-
son OF our superior intelligence.
Already the negro realizes that he cannot
successfully compete with the white man In
his present condition Of ignorance, and slim.
ulated and encouraged by so-called Northern
he Is quietly but earnestly
straIning every nerve to obtain an education.
Already he has his colleges and industrial
schools, the equals Of any In this State.
Each year graduates from these institutions
nre scattered over the State TO enlighten and
instruct his more ignorant brothers. 1t is a
spirit and far be 1t from me TO
depricate 1t.
But IL admonishes US that we must redouble
our efforts, lest we be like unto that swift but
over-contident rabbit In his race with the tor.
toise.
why we should leave no stone unturned 10
give to our children good education. This
is an age OF progress. In the last half CEN
tury the world has made wonderful strides.
The press, free schools. rapid transit, elec
tricity and emancipation have wrought won
derful changes.
Hitherto It was thought that only those
who engaged in the learned professions need
scientific methods and improved mach inery.
all the uvocatons in life demaEd n higher or
der OF Intelligence, Skilled and Intelligent
labor is the great demand Of the ago, and III
1t cannot be supplied at home. 1t must be I'm.
ported.
: It has been truly said that no ignorant peo.
pie was ever prosperous. And that the cdu.
Gated mind in a nations wealth. How much
more is this, the case In this age or discover
les and lnycnt tions. When we witness the
mighty achievements of art,-the locomotive
taking up It's burden OF hundred tons, and
IT. for hundreds OF miles be-
- 81, .,Nl S1Nn cot f,sr hal
steamboat clearing Its rapid way, triumphant
oyer wind aud tide; the power loom, yield
ing products OF greater richness and abun-
dance. in single day than all the inhabit,
years; the printing press which could have
replaced the Alexandrian Library within Il
week after 1t was burned; the lightning not
only doInestlcated In the laboratories OF the
useful arts, but employed as n messenger be-
tween distant cities-when we see all these
marvels of power and celebrity. we are prone
TO conclude that this is an age OF progress and
that If we would not be laggards In the race
of life we must educate and cultivate those
natural powers with which we have been
In social, political and industrial matters
it would be as absurd to govern ourselves by
former notions and standards as to substitute
Of the prehistoric period, for
Collins Axes, to cultivate and reap with the
ante. Christian plOws and scythes. or 10 ma ke
our school books on the old theories OF AS.
tronomy and Chemistry. Times change and
men change with them, and the newer of
wood and the drawers OF waters OF the next
eneration, will be the children Of the man
who ignores the requirements OF the times
and who neglects to avail himself Of the op-
portunities afforded him.
Let US then determine that If we can leave
to our boys no other heritage. we will give
them IN their staff and scrip, that
Of which they cannot be deprived,
and that which Will enable them to fight sue
cessfully all the battles of life, namely, good
educations.
But while It is highly important that the
boys should receive good educntions;, let us
not forget that 1t is to the educated Christian
women of the country that we must look to
direct the lives of our boys. He was
indeed q philosopher who being asked to
alton of its power and influence replied. to
It's educated Christian mothers. II was
rue saying then-and 1t is true to-day.
Under the changed condition Of social a.,
fairs, many OF the best women OF the State
must needs earn support by their individ-
luI efforts. Practically there Is but one
lvenue open to them-thnt OF school teach
Dg.