Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-09
Leesburg, Ga.
NEED OF THE MASSES
FOR INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION

HARMONY GROVE, Ca, May so, 1902
To the Editor of The Journal.
Much has been said and written of late
concerning the Inauguration OF better ed
vocational system for Georgia. Never in
the history of this great commonwealth
was the consensus Of opinion so unan-
imous in favor of system that will pro-
vide for a practical education for every
child in the state. The influence of the
philanthropfc Ogden movement I'm creating
a profound wide spread desire for the edu-
cation of the great mass of the less ia
vored of our great southland Is spreading
with tremendous rapidity, gaining mo-
mentum with each educational organiza-
ton. We believe that the twentieth CEN
fury demands emphatically an unprece-
dented forward march along all educa-
nonal lines and more especially among
more than so per cent Of our population
who live outside Of the incorporated
towns. We would not depreciate the
value of a better perfected system in our
cities and towns, because we must have a
center from which to radiate. but we do
protest against a system peculiar to the
town exclusive of the needy masses of the
rural districts. The mental faculties of the
sturdy sons OF toll are susceptible to the
most finished touch in mental development
and, with a pure, well developed body,
they are capable of obtaining the very
height in mental acumen.'
have made a somewhat thorough can
vass of that portion of the southern APP
palachian region which extends into Geor-
gia. Like other portions Of this region,
these mountaineers come of noble stock,
descendants of the same Scotch-Irish,
English and German stock that settled
New York and Pennsylvania, and not of
"indentured servants or renegades from
the old colonies" One who takes time TO
travel this section from house to house
and make the acquaintance of the fathers.
mothers and healthy. bright-eyed girls and
boys is bound to recognize their many
noble traits. They are thoroughly patri-
otto. In religion. speculative, yet not scep-
tical holding sacred and dear their rites.
and guarding with preeaution the tenets
of their particular faith against the en-
croachment of any untried doctrine. So
cially~ their peculiar characteristics are
due to isolation rather than any racial
influence. They are reserved, silent, self
contained to an extent that makes them
appear cold or proud, yet they are not
liking In affection and are quite ready
at all times to repeat the example of the
good Samaritan. Their homes outside the
little hamlets are generally small framed
or log huts, many times only one room,
that small, for a family of four to six
children. Most Of them are hospital BILE. As
one has said: Their hospitality, for fear
OF De1nE misunderstood mas never dCCcpl-
ed the new innovation. the door knob. but
retains the old latch on the outside" To
give a vague idea of the illiteracy existing
in Fhis section, Heite few figures: Lump
kin, Union and Rabun have, respectively.
266, 23.6 and 21.4 per cent of their whole
voters illiterates. Dade, Gordon and Hall
counties, representing more enlightened
communities, have an illiteracy of 1913,
1872 and 1913 per cent.
Most of these counties being mountain
Gus are necessarily sparsely settled. maxi
ing the school problem rather difficult
First. because of the very bad roads and
the distance TO travel; second. because or
the low valuation of real estate necessi-
tatifig help other than that derived from
local taxation. This problem must be
solved. / found many homes 4 several
children, some of whom we're more than
twelve years of age, who have never en-
tered a school house; multitudes who
knew absolutely nothing of books; mate
rial fit to make statesmen and men OF
affairs going to waist under the cruel hand
of unbearable ignorance. The very basis
of our government finds its existence in
affairs. The needs will never be met by the
introduction of some stereotyped system
suitable TO city instruction, but rather an
industrial system peculiar to their needs.
Never has any country had such favorabse