The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-05-02
(Raleigh Biblical Recorder1

(Raleigh Biblical Recorder)
A few weeks ago the editor OF the
Recorder received the following letter
from Mrs. V. l.. Pendleton, OF War.
renton, than whom our State has nc
nobler woman:
keep hammering away on the
public mind until all shall feel the
deep Importance Of public schools.
II think volunteer teachers could
be found in every township in the
State to keep open the public schools
for two months longer than the time
they are now kept open.
MANY girls from the Normal Col
lege and other institutions would be
willing for the practice and the ex-
perience it would give thom; and
many persons who are not able to
teach regularly, or unwilling to do so
for pay, would be willing to supple
ment the regular school term. !
should think not few young men in
our colleges and high schools would
also volunteer.
III our people do not awake to the
importance of public school education
the children of the colored race will
pass By many white children. Since
the amendment was ratified. right in
this little town. the colored people
have opened q night school, and men
sixty years of age are laboriously en-
deavoring to learn to read, so as to be
able to vote. One grey-hsired man
cuts wood during the day and goes to
school at night, and another ante
bellum slave is gardening or doing
other manual labor during the day
and trying to read at night"
We are confronted with the neces-
sity of supplementing our free school
terms. We must do this, or many a
white child will lind himself disquali-
fed for the ballot at his majority.
We think the colored people deserve
credit for their determination to
acquire the ability to read and write.
1t 10 no more than reasonable. Their
activity will be the more helpful if i,
shall arouse the white people to the
necessity OF reaching all the children
and giving them better schools. We
have no doubt that the colored people
are already working on the volunteer
plan, and that they will enlarge i,
very much year by year. Indeed We
shall be surprised if one of the papers
of the colored race does not immed
lately take up this call.
But this no race rivalry. Fal
from it. 1t is a crusade for education
of universal education. Its pur.
pose is to release the children from
darkness; to save citizens to the
State; to serve our God and fellow
man.
1t is in this spirit that we issue thi.
call
The plan is simple. We hope to
get at least 1000 volunteers-mer
and women, young and old:
O Teachers who now are employ.
ed in our public schools, who viii
agree to prolong the terms OF theil
schools four or six or eight week.
without extra charge. We shoult
think that fully one thousand of tn,
teachers-if not all OF woult
quickly agree to this. II they arr
boarding, an effort will be made tt
get their board free during this extr,
term.
(2) Men and women that are mo-
teaching in the public schools. bu
who are teachers, and will agree te
90 wherever they may be assigned il
their county or township and supple
ment the free school term, four or si,
or eight weeks.
| (3) Men and women who are no
teachers, but who are interested il
this cause, and will volunteer.
| (4 College students, both mel
and women. who may have some TIM
to spare this summer.
Now, il this opportunity to serv'
allures you-and to whom does it no
appeal9 - cut out the following
amend it to suit your convenisnce i
necessary, sign it and mail to us:
/ | hereby agree to accept, without pay
an appointment to teach ............ weeks
Immediately following the close of tn
regular term in "A free school in ....-.-.......
township. ............ county, within tn
year 1901 or 1902.
>hfiie.--..-
ddrpss..................
IL yon are now teacher. state il
what school.
IL yon expect to get board and lodg
ing free. indicate that also.
We will give this agreement TO tn
State Superintendent, OF Public In
struction. who will refer them to th,
; proper local authorities.
This plan has been laid before Gov
ernor Aycock and Superintendent
Toon, and it is offered here with thsi
warm approval.
! Now let us hear from hundreds ans
/ thousands,