St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1894-07-21
duty performed by those from
whom aid and encouragement
should have come.

whom aid and encouragement
should have come.
Patrons, think of it thati should
have fallen to the lot of a total
stranger from a distant State to
visit our school to be the first one
to take part and manifest an inter
est in what was going on, and also
to speak a word of commendation
/ am not unacquainted with pioneer
work, particularly in the field OF
education, hence have met disap-
pointments and discouragements in
my line of work, but have never
before seen the apathy which |
have pointed out here. We are too
near the influences of refinement
and culture to be laggards in our
efforts to keep pace with intellec-
tual progress. The parent who
does not comprehend the benefits
which educational privileges con-
fer, and who does not contribute
his share towards securing and
maintaining them, is mentally OBJ
tuse, or culpably Indifferent to the
welfare of his children. The re-
quisites of good citizenship have
changed since the days of Zoroas-
ter, who thought that every man
who planted a tree, built house
and gave a soul to God, should be
classed as a good citizen. The per-
formance of the last duty brings
with it responsibilities not enumer-
ated in Zoroaster's philosophy.
Among them may be mentioned
the obligation to give his child the
highest mental and moral training
obtainable. Every one owes some
thing to society, in virtue of his
membership, for whatever conduces
to the welfare of the community as
a whole benefits each individually.
] do not wish to assume the role of
a censor, but | have too much at
stake to remain silent, for by doing
SO, would be held responsible for
the fault of others. The teachers
responsibilities and trials are COM
pretended by few, and under the
most favorable circumstances, they
tax both his physical and mental
resources, but when positive acts
of injustice and obstruction are
done him the burden becomes un-
bearable. He would be made of
strange stuff if he did not notice
and speak of them.
I herewith append the names of
those who did not withdraw from
school:
Walter Winkler, Harold Dunbar,
Arthur Chapman, David Chapman,
Willie Launey, Gibbon Chevis, Lou
McCollam, Lucille Breuille, Ida
Reeves, Daisy Gay, Mollie Clark,
Anna Hinckley, Bessie Nicholson,
Christine Begg, Dollie Nicholson,
Rosina Oliver, Bertha Chapman,
Edna Hinckley, Willie Nicholson,
Julie Jacob, Theodore Jacob, Willie
Fred. Williams, Vincent
Anderson, Henry Ehrhardt, Lucien
Preston Dunbar, Ernes-
tine st. Amand, Louise st. Armand,
Nettie Humble.
To the following young ladies
and gentlemen who voluntarily re-
to improve their minds
who refused to follow the example
of those who shirked duty under
false pretenses-I extend eongratu-
lations. / shall endeavor to watch
your career, for I know you will
give good account of yourselves:
Ida Hinkley, Maggie Nicholson,
Sophie Winkler, Alice Stafford,
Austin Fontenot, Thomas Cooke,
G. P. Dunbar, Augustus Heffner
and Rowland Clark.
To those who kept their children
at their post of duty to the last, j
present grateful acknowledge
ments. / hope your good example
of duty performed, will be initiated,
in future, by your less considerate
/ wish that your chill
dren may always be under the care
and instruction of those who are
in every way capable of satisfying
the solicitude manifested in your
action in this matter.
w TT PEArJ