Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-07
OUR DUTY TOUCHING THE
SOUTHERN EDUCATION BOARD

/ 6OQ TENN EOOCA tON bOAN0
The movement recently begun by the
southern education board. with head
| quarters IN the city of New York, look
| ing to the betterment of public educa-
! ton in the south, means more for the
children of today and the children of the
| future, and, through them, to our COM
/ mon southland, than some people are
/ willing to admit. II means~a better and
/ more intelligent yeomanry, strengthen
/ ed and more united government, happier
/ and more prosperous people, fuller and
| a growing development of the south's
resources, a wise and more satisfactory
solution OF the grave and perplexing
/ questions that are constantly arising,
/ building I'D of the waste places ana
/ a utilization of lost forces, to say moth
| ing of the present help and encourage
ment the south. as a burden-bearer, VIII
/ receive.
The people back OF this movement are
| deeply in earnest and unquestionahly sin
cere, as evidenced by their many generous
/ gifts to southern educational institutions,
| as well as their efforts to come in con-
| tact with the rural school authorities OF
i this section, and to become acquainted
with existing conditions with view OF
/ participating in any exertion that may
| be made by our people to improve present
| educational facilities. They have at their
/ disposal sufficient influences and means
/ to accomplish tncalulable good; they are
/ all prominent, successful and influential
! business and profession men-level-headed
/ and judiciously calculating, whose integ-
/ rity cannot be questioned-al of which,
to a great extent, bespeaks the ultimate
/ and browning success OF their undertak-
| ing.
| But with all this, the success of the
/ movement hinges ultimately upon the in
terest and cooperation of the people
| to be benefited. A generous proposition,
be 1t ever so sincere. may fall fiat because
of a refusal to embrace the opportunity
/ offered. But we contemplate no such
disaster. Isolated localities may tenn
porarily turn the deaf ear to the propo-
sition, and thus postpone the general ac-
i ceptance and Inauguration Of the move
ment. but in the end 1t will be universally
adopted. Some sections. 1t may be sure,
will speedily avail themselves Of the
| occasion, others. after a more intimate
acquaintance with the project, viii gradu-
ally fall into line, and. finally. all will
take up the march OF progress and press
| onward and upward.
But there Is not the slightest reason for
i delay. There would be no delay were the
county school authorities as interested
| and active as they should be. Where in
terest and spirit Of cooperation on the
| part of the people already exist, not
1 the slightest trouble, we trow, will be
met in inaugurating the movement.
| Where these requisites are lacking, they
must be developed. II they are ever de-
/ veloped IL must be the result Of the
| activities OF those in authority. II those
/ in authority never interest themselves in
the matter, to say the least of 1t, its
| adoption so far as their respective To-
| calities are concerned, viii be indefinitely
| postponed.
| To think and act In respect TO this and
/ similar questions, as ones conscience and
| best judgment may dictate. is a privilege
/ that should be accorded every man; and
i we mean TO criticize the action OF no one,
but how any school superintendent nav
/ ing at heart the interest. Of his schools,
1 can not only not see any good in this
movement but positive evil. Is more than
i we can understand. But as we make no
claims 10 infallibiIity, we OFFER no guar
| antee against the possibility OF error on
| our part, and are, therefore, willing to
/ accord TO the misguided superintendent
/ Of such there beg at least one chance
| in thousand Of being correct. But far
/ more inexplicable still is the opposition
4 to this movement of certain country
school teachers in the south. who are
essaying to grapple with the momentous
/ and far-reaching problems relating 20 the
| education of the youth while circum-
/ scribed by the narrow. cramping limits
OF five months annual term. It does
/ seem that from a selfish standpoint. IL no
other, they would not oppose lengthening
/ the term. The position OF these dear
/ brethren is certainly to be deplored. We
| are saved from despair, however, by tie
i hope that they may live to see the error
OF their way. and. as repentant sinners.
be brought back to the path OF progress
i and development.
In our judgment, so far as 1t relates to
i the rural schools Of our land, the south
| has today the opportunities Of lifetime.
Il It has an unprecedented opportunity to
/ have its rural schools organized on an
eight or nine months, basis, and rendered
almost as efficient as the town and city
schools. 1t has an opportunity to double
/ or treble the advantages of our country
4 children, and Increase their possibilities
/ for useful living. An opportunity TO strike
at the spectre of ignorance and iIliteracy
that stalks through our land. a blow
/ strong and decisive. An opportunity to
.retard the morbid influx OF the country
/ people to towns and cities in search OF
better educational facilities for their chill
/ dren, by offering them equal advantages
in the rural districts. An opportunity to
elevate, dignity and render attractive
home and farm life IN the country.
| 1t Is an emergency, thus thrust at the
/ south, that is pregnant with possibilities
/ the fruit of which cannot, be conceived.
1t is a challenge that will test our metal.
/ One that appeals to our patriotism. our
manhood, our duty to our helpless little
ones. as II relates to their development
and preparation for usefulness In this
life. and their preparation for a fuller
| enjoyment of the one to come
A failure even to improve the oppor-
tunity. to say nothing Of opposition TO
| the movement, is nothing less than
reputation OF the sacred obligations that
rest upon us as citizens, as parents, as
responsible free agents. Opposition to the
movement means opposition to progress
| and educational development. It means
opposition to better and more thoroughly
organized country schools. II means OPP
| position to increased advantages and bet
| ter things for our rural children. Oppo-
sition to the most practical and business
| like opportunity the south ever had TO
| improve her rural school conditions.
Shall we measure up to our obligation7
Shall we accept or reject the PROPOSE
ton Of these philanthropic people. to
step In and share our burdens? Shall we
spurn tho offer that proposes to enable
| us to do#what we alone can never hope
to accomplish In years to come II ever?
The duty OF the hour is supreme; shall
we meet II like men, or shall we let II
pass?