The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-09
Hopesidc, Va, March 9Th.
The Virginia Sensation.
Editor of The Times:

Editor OIL Inc IlluCo'
Sir-The spring Of 1902 promises to be
a notable season Of revival In education
in Virginia Your noble, broad-minded
journal is certain to be a conspicuous IN
st-ument in the deepening ana Wicehlns
Of the GOOD work. Having just recently
become a reader of The Times, I feel it
due to myself to give expression 10 tne
sense of intense satisfaction that comes
to me in making the acquaintance OF SO
valiant an ally of political righteousness,
social advance and educational progress.
Every intelligent citizen of Virginia should
read your paper. I was particularly IN
ierestcd in the page devoted to education
in last Sundays copy-March "a.
It seems that DR.. Frazer has been max
ing some wholesome deliverances on the
cngrossing theme Rev. S. II. Thompson.
OF Farmvlle, followed him UP in other
startling statements concerning our pub
liz 80 g.
Mr. Thompson is evidently sure of his
facts, and what humiliating exhibit
they do make. The degradation winch he
discioses sh lid make tue bl"C' bnll in
the veins of evety respectable Nirsirian.
This ought to be the sensation whose quiz
YER should be felt to the limits of the
Commonwealth
The deficiency of public taste and the
popular lethargy outside the school-room,
with the altogether too frequent incompe-
tency on the outside, makes a condition
very sad to contemplate. There is am
other condition, brought out in Mr..
Thompson's valuable article. which stirs
Indignation. The fact that not a few OF
our public schools are cursed with poll
teal and commercial ",ulls' Isl enough
to arouse the wrath Of a saint EdIca-
ton is holy. It is the child of New Tes-
lament faith. Eternal sanctities hallow
it. 1t is Gods bright angels that would
encamp alike around the cottage Of the
poor and the mansion of the rich The
man who would stif1e this angel aud rob
a child of its blessed ministries Cor the
consideration of a, vote or a bill
of goods deserves the hiss and scorn of
all honorable people. Resentment burns
to fever heat in the thought of a shame.
less irreverance and a british selflshness
like this. The lightning of an angered
public righteousness Snlite this evil and
Wither it.
It is almost irritating to read the ex-
ceptions that are being taken to these
revelations made by true and patriotic
Virginians. Why a man or woman, to
whose community DR.. Frazer's and DR..
Thompson's words do not apply and were
not meant to apply, should feel called on
to make protests against sweeping
charges" &C., passes my power of COM
prehension. The statements of these gen.
tlemen have been guardedly and conserv-
atively made. Why should a citizen seek
in any degree to neutralize the effects of
wise and timely appeals in behalf of the
education of the poor children of the
State? Some dear people are always so
needlessly nervous about such matters.
They are so fearful that themselves, their
school and community will fall under sus-
picion. Hence the public must be annoyed
with a. distracting facilitating imperti-
nence of standardization. Let us hope
for large patience, generosity and COM
mon sense, while this educational sensa-
ton goes marching on. But one is dis
posed to suspect where most Of the claim
Of denial and denunciation is likely to
proceed from. Your little politician and
your shrewd merchant are likely to be
heard FROM You can hardly expect them
to see that their peculiar ways of secur-
ing votes and trade have enfeebled the
public school. Their offended virtue is
ant to resent the hint that themselves
are not ardent friends of education
1t was ever thus. A new idea has ever
been a painful thing. Enlightenment never
| lacked for opposition. Reform movements
that touch the hottest interests of the
| poor and needy have always met bitter
| adversaries. It is a time when every In
| telligent and patriotic Virsinian should
| utter his voice. The agitation is on. We
| must have better public schools. We are
| going to have them. Let us stand by the
| men who tell us the truth and who pro-
pose to lead to victory
< 70, ", y,