Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-09-24
DEDICATION OF THE GRADED SCHOOL BUILDING.
Able Address by Geo B. Croer IL d. President Newberry
N ege--Auspicious Day in Walhala's History

leader for the purpose of the organ
izing and uniting our forces. This
leader was found in the person OF
the present Mayor of Walhalla who
has taken a potential part in the
organization and equipment of the
new Graded School. He referred to
the necessity of union and co-opera.
tion and urged support of the teach
ers in the delicate and difficult work
which they are undertaking. He
thought that school teacher came
in contact with more humanity than,
perhaps, any other professional
worker. Teachers are tested and
tried in many different ways, and
often their work and worth are not
duly appreciated. Surely no one
wanted to break up the school.
There may be objections, there
doubtless will be, but these obiec.
tions should not be captious. We
should be willing to stand together
and all lend helping hand. There
should be manifestation of the
spirit of live and let live. Let us
make compromises and concessions
for the promotion of the general
good. Let us start out with firm
determination to support the Super
intendent and his assistants, to hold
up their hands and encourage them
with our advice and hearty co.opera-
ton. He was proud to have the
honor of introducing as the orator
of the day one who was well known
to our people, one who had spent his
college days on this very site, one
who here conquered the difficulties
thrown across his path by adverse
circumstances. He thought that his
presence to-day would serve as an
inspiration. His success could be
held up for the emulation of our
youth. He took pleasure in intro
ducing DIR. George B. Cromer, Presi-
dent of Newberry College.
PRESIDENT CRoMER's ADDRESS.
President Cromer was greeted
with prolonged applause. He be-
gan by referring in feeling manner
to his college days, so happily spent
on this very spot. Here it was that
for four years and half he was a
student in Newberry College. He
felt that he was standing on almost
sacred ground and in memory he
was carried back to his college days.
But oh ! what changes time has
wrought. Many who were here
then have gone to join the great
majority. just over there lived
Col. w. G. Keith, the silver-tongued
orator and brilliant advocate. Co.
ing down Main street he noted the
absence of DR.. Norman, Col. Vandi-
we're, Mr.. Biemann, DR.. Sloan, DR..
Smeltzer, DIR. Johnson, Colonel,
afterwards Judge Norton, and many
others. There have also been many
changes in the houses and general
appearance of the town. He had
heard it said that fire was neces-
sary to the building of town, and
here this saying had found literal
fulfillment. In 1877 there were only
two brick houses. Now we have
two blocks of brick buildings. With
these brief Introductory remarks he
led up to tn Q theme of his discourse
the betterment of our common
schools and the need of their liberal
support. We need better school
houses and better teachers. He be-
lieved with Thomas Jefferson, the
father of Democracy, and one of
the founders of our government,
when he said: eff nation expects
to remain free and ignorant in a
state of civilization, it expects what
never has been and never can be-"
He quoted statistics in live and
interesting manner. He was graft
fed to note the marked Improvement
in the common schools of the nation.
In all parts of our great country the
people are turning their attention
more and more to this matter. In
the last ten years our population has
increased one fifth in numbers. Dur
ing the same period the attendance
of the children on the common
schools has been doubled. In 1900
there was spent for the support of
the common schools in the United
States $220,000,000. But with this
vast sum each child was given only
oighty-seven days at school. 1t was
with regret that he observed in
South Carolina 80 much illiteracy,
The statistics show that eighteen
per cent of our white population
over ten years of age can neither
read nor write; and twelve aud one.
half per cent of our white voters can
neither read nor write. Just think
of this deplorable condition Who
A Il