The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1893-07-15
Preceptor Talks.
St. Martinville. La, july ). I893

III. EiItOi
The fourth of July. with its attending
noises and Iejoicings has passed and the
scho0l- house remains unpajnted tho
school premises is free grazing ground
Yor horses and cows. and geese dabbIe Nv
unknown. but accommodating hands.
The ebuIiition Of patriotism witnesses,
yesterday has suggested some thoughts
not intimately connected with the occa-
vion, yet inspired by desire for the mn :
bic good. Are we going TO ronfue the
manifestation Of our patriotism ap, orr
appreciation OF the privileges which our
country possesses, and which are de-.
MED to other nations. to the firing Of
cannon parading of societies, and 20 an
nuaI OratOry? Are we going TO neglect
the fitting Of youth for the reception Of
The highest aud most enduring senti.
ments OF patriotism? has the time come
when the people refuse TO contribute 20
The cause of educ itiOn unless VIZ appeaI
10 their appetite for pieasurpY IL the,e
questions can be answered in the affirm.
alive. then our fourth Of July ceIebra.
tions are colossal farces. The hopes for
The stability Of our form of government
ore based upon the universal intelH-
gence Of the masses. Bnt do We. in this
community. manifest desire to keen
The children upon an intellectual level
with those OF other states? Humsliat-
Ing as the admission may be. we must
acknowledge that we are laggards in IN.
cause of education. This seems most
hitting time to call the attention Of our
citizens to their apathy in this matter.
YOr we can no more leaye out Of sitht
education, during our national celpbra
ton, then we can ignore the memory of
Jefferson on that OccasiOn. The follow
lug are SOME of his declarations which
We do not find in his Declaration of In
dependence; thank on my knees him
who directed my early education, for
having put into my possession, this rich |
source OF delight. the ability 10 read Ho- |
mer In the original. Aud again h. saws. |
of all the bills drawn ty him for Viz
kinia the one upon which he set his \
heart. was the one pro, iding Tor uriver-
bal education. Again he declared. after
he had achieved all the fame that ambi
ton, statesinanship. aud patriotism
could bestow. and had retired to Mnnti
cello to spend The evening Of his life in
domestic quiet and srciusion, that if
anything could induce him to sleep an
other night from home. it would b. his
solicitude for the education Of youth.
Now while we are COMMUNICATING the
deeds Of bur nations sires, and moved 10
patriotic demonstrations, can not we
further honer thu memory of Jefferson
by following tiS examples in Promoting
the cause "f riucation? He in est;,-
blishing the University Of Virginia.
proved greater brnefactor than In his
capacity as legislator Onr opportuni-
Ties Are much greater, but our RESPONSE
Utilities not less than were his.
Our public school needs desks. charts.
curtains, aud more blaekbOaTtls, am
sure rsssers by the school house have
heard mysterious suunds. not suggestive
o. g"ni order. emanating from one of
tne rooms. Let me say, by way Of exc
nefating the teachers, that the noises
we're produced by the failure of the pa-
pills to keep their center OF gravity over
sne base Of thu dilapidated and fitting
heats, II is Ditch a struggle bptweem
pupil and desk as to which shall keep on
Top. Who will pass around the hat for
funds to make our public school couifOr-
table for the little boys and girls who
attend there? Let us administer to
tneir comforts aud welfare AS we'll as
crafty their innocent tastes for plea
Sure.
Iwlll close with reminding the youth, ;
~ which class Include some who be-
lohg, more properly to tho list Of young {
Meh, mat unless YOU quit IOunging Oh
.ne shady shle Of the streets, and around )
'ue doors OF saloOns. and strive to secure {
sn education, when your fathers shall
1svs passed away, your fourth Of July
DiatOrs VIII have 10 be imported, or I
IVur sisters will have to proclaim from
ING platform the blessings Of free and
'niightDed government. l.
pRECFproB