The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-09-20
EDUCATIONAL AWAKENING.
The People Need to be Aroused to the
importance of the Subject,

4 crisis is before the people OF North
Carolina The old order OF things is
rapidly passing away. Environments
are changing The spirit OF the centuries
change and men must change with them
or be left behind. The pessirnist and
croaker may sigh for the good old days
of long ago" But this is delusion and
fraud. Who wants to go back to the
rude conveHiences OF a century ago?
Who can afford to sigh over maudlln
sentiment while the rest OF the world is
forging right ahead and keeping apace
with civilization? There has been too
much dallying among our people with
the Importance OF education.
The State can no longer afford to let
her children grow up in ignorance and
its inevitable results. North Carolina
must arouse herself from her ethargy
and go into the business of education in
real earnest Her reproach has come
up before her and her people are stung
with a sense of shame.
A new era is dawning and onr section
cannot afford to be behind.
The genius Of our government is ''the
greatest good to the greatest number
Supreme Jurisdiction is given to making
and exacting of wholesome laws for the
government Of the individuals of the
body polite.
No sane man questions the right and
duty OF the State to protect life and
prOperty-tO restrain the bad, to punish
criminals, to alleviate suffering and care
for the helpless.
And must it stop here?
Can State that hopes to perpetuate
itself and take rank among the nations
of the earth supinely let her children
grow up in ignorance and become hot
beds for superstition and crime and
socialism and disorganization and decay?
If the State has the right to punish
criminals and adjust wrongs between
individuals and against the State, has
she not the right to anticipate thecauses
of those crimes and evils, and set herself
to work to neutraize and eradicate the
sources of such ills by means OF salutary
agencies that shall render the progress
and safety of the State possible and alb
sOute?
Is this not the moral and civil duty of
the State? 1t is not a question OF educat-
ing the poor. but a question OF self
preservation
NO city or town or community can
take rank and attract men of enterprise
and public spirit unless this. the most
Important part OF tne soul OF It's gov
eminent, is we'll provided for.
Those sturdy old patriots when they
were about to dissolve the political
bands that made them vassals to the
British lion, and, although harassed by
the prospects of a long and bloody war,
looking down through the years to come,
were fully convinced that no Democratic
form OF government could exist without
the intellectual and moral education OF
the material out of which to carve
State. They set themselves to work and
made it an organic part OF our State
system to educate and train the States
children.
The time has come when the people
must be aroused. An educational cam
paign must be waged. 1t is the privilege
of every boy and girl of school age to at
tend the public schools all the time they
schools. 1t is most solemn duty OF the
parent to see that they go. Many
parents are Indifferent and a crime is
committed against the child and against
the State.
The best time to begin campaign for
the children is NOW. Do not wait for
legislation or forces from without, but
let Vance county take the lead. When
an appeal is made for cooperation. let
every body respond actively and heartily.
Some plans for reaching all the children
are under consideration and will be an
nounced later. In connection with Rev.
Mr.. Bray, the county Superintendent, we
hope to be of service to the county.
J. II. ALDERMAN