Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-13

HAN lF1E OOFWNiON
The Rev. Sam Jones in The Journal of
February LIST states that there is moth
ing commoner than the common schools,
andythe breaches in one of his usual full
limitations against these much abused In
stitutions. There are at least two things
commoner, by which we mean more usual,
namely, the opposition that Is always met
by any great movement which has Tor its
purpose the elevation of the people, and In
particular the chronic case Of fndiscrimi-
nate criticism with which the distinguish
ed writer is so grievOusly afflicted.
We might safely conclude that any pre-
tended great idea unfolding itself for the
blessing of man that did not meet bitter
antagonism was essentially sham and a
deIusion. From consideration of this
truth the friends of popular education,
when they read the bitter attacks of
Brother Jones and Mrs. FELTON,, instead
of growing fearful, should place new and
implicit confidence in the correctness OF
their opinions and the reasonableness of
their hopes. A cause may be judged by its
enemies as we'll as by its friends, and, IL
it be a new one. should congratulate itself
on having the former as well as the latter.
These enemies serve the cause they would
destroy by providing obstacles in the over
coming of which the growing force may
gain added strength, and this in spite of
the evil motive of the enemies. The cause
of free popular education in Georgia is
no frail, conservatory exotic, but sturdy,
If young, forest oak which shalI but gain
toughness from every malicious wind.
Let us repeat that there is certainly one
thing in Georgia commoner than the COM
mon schools namely, the unceasing but al
ways interesting and amusing pugnacity
of the Rev. Sam Jones who has. IN the
course Of his polemics, attacked every
thing from the visible church Of Christ
H.. 4 I'll 70 fhA ErFrn fTraf frs
The public school, being between these
two, of, course comes, ian, for its share.
Brother Jones has, like the boy in the
fable, yelled wolf, wolff" so often
that at last none credit his cries of
alarm; or, to vary the comparison to
suit the "Jonesesque" literary style, he is
like an unreliable bird dog who comes
to a dead point" on everything from
English sparrows to wild turkeys.
1t is not necessary to devote many words
to- his serious objections to free educa-
ton. The fact that rotten potatoes cor
rupt good ones does not prove that the
morality good in this world are not by
coming in actual touch with them, to
save and change the morally bad. An
analogy is not an argument. Shall the
salt save the meat unless 1T touch it? Or
will Brother Jones expound the text,
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome
evil with good" Pharisaism is always
either antagonistic or Indifferent to the
elevation of those who, most of all, need
the help that the benefciaries superior en-
vironment and heredity alone can give.
Finally, Brother Jones, there are many
who regret that so trenchant a blade as
yours should be drawn in so hopeless a
cause as is that Of antagonism to the
great and growing public school system
of Georgia. Our schools need more money
and that is all they need, and as God shall
prosper our people they will be given that.
In the meantime we, the friends of free
education, appreciate the good haters"
we have and the open, honest war they
are waging, but we are assured, as per-
haps they are too, of their ultimate, ir-
remediable defeat.
REMBERT G. SMITH,
Monticello, Ga, Feb. 3rd, 1902