The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-09-27
An Interesting

Mr.. EDIToR:-The GOLD LEAF having
labored so earnestly and constantly
through a course Of years in behalf OF
popular education is now entitled to COR
ordinations upon what has been ac-
complshed. | would not detract from
the praise due earnest workers all over
the county. The GOLD LEAF has been
the mouth-piece OF all such, and in offer
ing acknowledgements OF its services |
bare my head to all for whom it has
spoken.
Superintendent Bray has done public
service in showing the improved condi-
ton Of our public schools, their upward
trend and the finer spirit which pervades
them. All this is good, but it does
not measure the educational enterprise
of cur county We add the splendid
Graded School of Henderson and vet fall
short of the real conditions. At EPSON,
progressive citizens have established a
high school which would do credit to any
community. 1t has an excellent corps OF
teachers and has been in successful OPP
Grafton several years. At or near Cokes.
bury a fund Of several hundred dollars
has been created for the support of
school of high grade. am told that Rev.
q. \. Bray has consented to become
principal and that he will engage such
assistants as the needs OF that excellent
community shall require. Only last week
the Poplar Creek Academy was an
nounced with assurance that its work
will be of high order.
In addition to these more ambitious
enterprises. it is becoming yearly more
common in the various school districts
to supplement the school fund by private
contributions, TO such an extent, as to
employ teachers Of ability and experience
These movements have been SO quiet as
to escape general notice, but they are of
such importance as to merit attention
and appreciation. They promise much
of future good for our county and should
receive hearty support and encourage
ment.
THOMAS NJ. PITTMAN.
1t is free, 1t is free. Free as air That
is why We do not value it more. If we
We're in danger Of losing it Il great row
would be made by nearly everybody.
Yet those who do not use do lose it. Less
than one-fOurth Of our ordinary life time
is the privilege OF the school within our
reach The six years old boy has but
one year in which TO learn what the six
years old boy must know.
There is about as much difference in
telectually in an educated person and
one who is not. as there is between some
people and real smart horse or dog
such as those in Gentry's show. Prob
ably food tastes as well and fire feels as
warm on a cold day to the unettered as
to the scholar: but it is certain that the
educated cultivated mind sees, feels,
knows a thousand ways and means OF en-
ioyment in this life that they who do not
read or think can not. This intellectual
accumulation can not perish with the
death of the body, but will undoubtedly
entitIe its pOssessOrs to enter higher
class or grade in the Heaven OF Heavens.
But viewing it from the point OF view
of the citizen and as a Christian. the
school is to solve the problem of govern
ment. The rulers are corrupt, because
the people make them SO. The orator,
the politician and the editor shape their
words to please and fit their hearers and
readers Hence the voter who has no eye
of the mind must have q speech attuned
to the lowest plane. His passions, his
prejudices, his appetites must be appealed
to, and it is to such men and such only
that the rulers are anenable, and to
them only that appeal must be made for
redress Of governmental grievances.
Hence the laws and governments and
rulers are never better than the great
mass of voters and therefore it is that
the thinking people OF the whole world
have concluded that the ignorant and
those who can be appealed to through
their passions and preludces only are
not entitled to have voice III gOven-
ment. and that the franchise is to be re-
stricted to those who can read and write.
Nearly every civilized country and nearly
every State in these United States have
adopted laws in this direction. and
whether the amendment stands or falls,
an enlightened public sentiment demands
that the servants of the people, those
who administer the affairs of govern
ment, shall be selected by those only
whose thinking machines have been I'M
proved by reading and reflection. This
will purify elections, elevate and dignity
electors and about leave out of view, eX-
cent as ''hewers Of wood and drawers OF
water.'' all those who can not read and
write. 1t is the law in some OF the States
of this Union that children shall go to
school They are far and away ahead OF
us. We will ere long have such a law.
No State can prosper containing great
mass of ignorance.
The opportunities therefore of the edu-
Gated, moral, intellectual life are SO far in
excess of and above, those OF the drone
and dullard, that the spirit OF pride and
ambition, the hope of being man
among men and a woman among women
should inspire every child to use the Op-
portunities provided by the state; t.
| seize the present day. and not be left be
| hind in the race of life. Every parent
| should realize that the items OF account
| in Gods ledger will show not only the
sins and misconduct Of this life, but the
| neglect properly to train and provide III
| telectual and moral instruction Tor thoss
| with whom He has intrusted Va. Where
| fore let us all be up and doing.
I. T. HICKS.
September oath, 1900.
EDrrOR GOLD LEAF - Our people
should be stirred up on the question o
| the schools. At no period OF our coun
| trv's existence has it been more lmpera
| tivelv necessary to give the chlldren goOC
| schools than now. The work that !!
| done now will be more far reaching thar
! the same work could have been hereto
| fore because the people have been think
| ing about the questions OF education ant
schools as they have not heretotor
| done.
The campaign Just closed was full o
| discussion OF the schooiboy and therefor
! the average voter is now nearer read.
for prompt and vigorous action than II
has ever been. The promises have bee1
made broadcast, and in good faith, tina