New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-21
EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

As rule the prayer Of the Legislative Chap
lain. when that functonary drifts into politics
IN the course OF his devOtons. Is failure both
as a stump speech and n religious exercise All
exception may be made. however. IN the case OF
the South Carolina chaplain who. III his prayer
at the opening OF the inauguration ceremonies
of the new Governor at Columbia the O'her
day. prayed especially that the form OF law
"lessnpss which assumes the right regardless
"of authority. TO visit punishment upon evil
"toers. thereby bringing reprOach upon the falr
fame of this historic Commonwealth. may dis
.appear from us forever That Is prayer to
which all law-abiding citizens, not only in South
Carolina but everywhere, can say Amen Ii
should be Incorporated in the liturgy OF the
Church and made subject Of daily prayer
among Christians Of all denominations. And
then II should be followed by determination
on the part of all citizens who take pride in the
fair fame of the Commonwealth, and have
becoming respect for its institutions and It's
laws, to take hold and answer the prayer them
selves without waiting for q special inteiposi-
ton Of Divine Providence in their behalf. The
prevalence of a wholesome public sentiment. I'M
der which reasonable restraints will be put upon
passion and temper kept in control, Is all that
Is necessary TO effect the result. What South
Carolina needs Is thorough comprehension or
the fact that genteness Is the first essential OF
Il gentleman.
In his inaugural address Governor Elerbee
instituted comparison between 'cold and bleak
New-England' and the South. pronOnncing the
latter paradise: but he said the South was
'apprOachng condition Of intellectual bond
age while power and dominion We're already
passing rapidly to the North" This condition
of things he attributed to the free public schools
and system Of public instruction of New-Eng-
land by which "she armed herself with power
"to wrest supremacy from the South and make
good her claim to leadership far more effectu-
ally than she subsequently secured In the sur
"render of Lee at AppomattOx' In view or
this he urges that the people, rising above all
partisan hatreds, unite in one heroic effort 10
make their system Of public instruction inferior
10 none This has the ring OF sound sense ana
calm sober Judgment. 1t is much more prac-
teal and TO the point than anything that the
cit liens of South Carolina have been IN the
habit Of hearing from Governors OF the Tilllnan
sort and leaders Of the extreme POpulist school
for the last three or four years South caro-
lima needs a school system that produces some
thing besides half-thinkers. and educational
training that breeds something besides artists
in vitnperatlon. hare Drained fanatics and mis-
chievous demagogues.
And the citizens may rest assured that their
efforts 10 regain position Of influence ana even
Of supremacy in the sisterh0Od OF States by
such means will not be regarded with jealousy
or suspicion by New England or any Northern
State Here there is no desire for supremacy.
Emulation in all that promotes the general well
fare by enhancing local interests no matter IN
what section OF the Inion is not looked upon
as rivalry or competition for power, but viewed
with satisfaction as evidence Of growing patriot
ism and broadening love of country There IS
no jealousy of the South. L0r any desire for SUI
premacy over that section in the hearts OF the
people Of New England or the North. nothing but
the most cordial wishes for the success OF all
the business interests of the South, and espe-
cay for the prosperity Of such educational en-
ter1,rises as the Governor of South Carolina so
urgently commenIs TO his people The two sec
tons are growing slowly. perhaps. but still
growing-intO a better mutual understanding
Nothing can serve more 10 promote AMI hasten
it than popular education