The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-03-22
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the common school system of today
has many points of excellence, it has
many defects.
The aim of all true educators is to
unite the good Of the old and the
new and give US a system that is free
from extremes. But there are hobby
riders who are advocating all sorts OF
extreme views that have DO educa-
tional value.
In education We are in a transi-
tional period. The golden man will
be reached sooner or later.
These great educational questions
directly concern US as teachers, and
while teachers in every State are dis
cussing the questions that concern
their progress, We cannot aff'rd to sit
IN silence and see others out run us.
We must come together and show
our interest in education by our
works, for in activity alone is prog
Tess possible. We show our interest
in what We do, not in what we say.
To say that we are interested in u
fellow teachers and refuse to meet
them in an association where we can
show that interest is a contradiction.
Again, our discussions increases
our interest in education; they slim.
ulate mental activity, and arous in
us the desire to become worthy mem
bers of a great profession. When
this desire has taken possession of
the teacher he will investigate the
questions pertaining to education,
aud strive to find the truth for him
self. This will increase his mental
power, broaden his views ard make
| him a better teacher. This is the de-
sire of every true teacher. Noteacher
has reached that stage of perfection
that there is no room for improve
ment. We want all our teachers to
recognize this truth, and then set to
work with a zeal that will not abate.
but will keep them ever striving for
higher attsinments. Such teachers
will rise above selfish interests, and
while striving for their own improve
ment, they will recognize the claims
of their fellow teachers and will be
found laboring for the best interests
of all the members of the profession.
Their aims will rise above monetary
considerations. Fill our schools with
such teachers, then we will have an
association that will make its influence
felt throughout the county andit will
become an important factor in advanc-
ing Our educational interest.
Judging from the point of view
that I have taken, many of urteach-
ers are failing to do their duty to
their association and to measure up
to their opportunity. In this assc-
citation we have opportunities for ben
citing each other that we cannot find
elsewhere. The worlds great future
lies before US with all its uncertainty
and boundless possibilities, and what
that future unfolds to US in improve
ment depends upon our own ef,rts
''Oar own interests, and all the great
human interests around u.s." should
be the incentives stimulating US to
greater zeal and activity in making
this association fruitful in good re-
suits in advancing the interests of the
profession which We represent. Isl:
then asking too much Of the teach
ers of this county when we ask them
to meet US in this association and as
sist US in discussing the questions
that concern our improvement and
the improvement of our schools?
Would it be claiming too much TO
say that it is their duty? Before au-
swering these questions, consider for
a few moments what it is to be a
leader of the young; to stanl in the
place OF toe parent for six hours a
day; let the evil effects of bad teach
ing and bad example pass b:fore
your mental vision, and if you still
fail to see your duty AMI feel your
responsibility it would be we'll for you
to leave the school room for those
teachers who have a higher coacep
ton of duty than you, and will recog-
nize the claims that their fellow
teachers have upon them.
A large majority Of our teachers
fail to recognize this claim. Judge
them by their acts, and this is the
only point Of view from which We
can rightly Judge them, We are forced