The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-21

In advance OF other sister
southern states In behalf of educating
the people. and the starting OF public
free schools to reach that end. The
late Rev. DR.. Calvin n. Wiley as far
this subject and e~ndeavoring to secure
tie necessary legislation.
But Governor Aycock Is robbed OF no
well earned laurels becaus he lives at
la later time and has inherited some of
1.-THE fcrvor and intelligent zeal OF other
leaders. There IL no public
man, We think. has ever given to much
lot his time. influence and talents to the
Ifurtherance of popular education. and
he merits the attention and favor of the
people at large because of it. In his
charlotte speech he freely quoted from
the governors before him as well as
from the superintendent of public n
struction in this state, in behalf OF the
education Of the people. Before the
great war came with all of it's desola-
ton and tremendous draw upon the
resources and energies as well as
courage and fortitude of the peo-
pie, the leaders recognized the
necessity of keeping the schools
open, and when the conflict open
mate hat end so wisely sought. We
have not yet given to the address the
consideration IL demands. We
hope to do this. If we do not write of it
again. A wise. prudent, safe leader is
talking to the people-one who knows
well the limitations Of education and
the vast need OF something more than
the education of the head. You must
educate the mind. but woe be unto the
If it stops there. If he moral in
struction does not follow there will be
a ~stupendous failure.
The Raleigh Post in good taste and
without exaggeration Of statement
says:
His quotations from those whom the
state has honored heretofore, and hon.
ored themselves in honoring them
voices from the wise men of the past
as it were-was most felicitous and eff
fective. 1t is n of the brightest pages
Of the history of our old state which
he o from the dusty shelves and
frightened up for the e%dification and
admiration. the emulation of the pres
ant generation.
THE education Of the masses is not
only a necessity. but an imperative ne
cessity, from every standpoint, of sell
ishness and self-preservation as well
patriotic devotion to our own aud
Dur state"
From such information as we have
able to secure for some months as
% the way the free educational advant-
offered by the state are accepted,
We are led to this statement: That
.hus far the whites very seriously neg
ect or refuse to embrace the golden op-
oortunity offered them in the OPEN
schools without charge. A considerable
of whites are dere let and in
t Is an error to suppose that they are
'eally active and alive to these impor-
ant advantages. We have seen men,
ion made in state exchanges of very
astonishing neglect to attend school on
he part of negroes in some school dis |
NA~N AA& mp SSoioAi - kioI LIN - !
are moving heaven and earth to
ecure IN education. But we believe
this is an exaggeration, and that
here is quite as large a percentage OF
.bsentees from the colored schools as
.mong the whites. If true it is bad,
leplorable, especially If education is
eally a help and blessing to the blacks, I
which many intelligent and some able
men doubt.
If the negroes are really using all eff
ort and diligence to have the boys edu-
ated SO they can vote hereafter. it is
interest, tina the white boys should
&c at school and doing their best to
earn. The Raleigh News and Observer
n considering the fine address ger
namely says this. referring to Governor
predecessors in office:
"They did their duty nobly, they
'lazed the way, but the problem that
Aycock and his administration
las been ordered to solve is one far
.reater than was imposed upon any
administration. They earnestly
ontended for better educational facili-
les for all the children. but there was
10 sword hanging over the head OF the
hildren ready to fall within six years
{ they failed to qualify themselves for
citizenship by securing an education.
is the pressing incentive that by
hoice and mandate REQUIRES Governor
Avcock and all connected with the
resent administration to be strenuous
nd earnest in advocacy of education
If all the boys and girls of the state.