The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-09-17

time OF the year the attention OF the
country is centered on the great crops.
These crops in their abundance pro-
vide for the welfare of the moment.
Far more important than the crops
which we gather now is the great crop
which at this season we begin to plant.
The public schools are opening.
millions of children, latter summer
of rest and play, are focking to the
teachers who will plant in their
minds positive knowledge, love of
country-all that the public school
should teach.
Our minds are incapable of conceiv-
ing the value to the world of this
splendid American system :,of univer-
sal, non -sectarian, free education.
In some things we are deficient.
We often neglect the weak for the
benefit of the strong; we allow privi-
lege to thrive.
But in its public school system
America is magnificent.
The American mother has, with in
finite tenderness and affection, watch
ed the first years of her child's life.
She has done all that she can to
give it healthy body, a healthy
mind, love of truth.
The child reaches the age when it's
mind needs special training, the men
tai teaching and care that the
mothers occupations or knowledge
does not permit her to give.
And at hand, no matter where the
mother may live, there is the public
school ready to carry on the mothers s
work.
In that pablo school the child, on
terms of equality with all other
American children, finds the oppor-
tunity to develop it's mind and fit
itself for the best and highest work
of which it is capable.
Happy are the millions of Ameri-
can public school children who live
under conditions of true democracy
in the pulic school class room.
In that school there is no rank or
aristocracy, save that of character and
hard work-of achievement in the
spelling class, or on the weedy base
ball field beyond the wood box.
Very unfortunate are the children
whose parents through vanity of
wealth or for other reasons deprive
the child of public school training.
The unfortunate child brought up
in some special school atmosphere of
money or sectarianism has not his
fair chance in the world. He has
lacked the mixture with all kinds of
American children on a footing of
equality.
And as man he will be less we'll
equipped than the public school child
for his struggle with all kinds of
American citizens on footing of
equality.
AS the school opens, every intelli-
gent American, filled with pride in
contemplating our noble national sys-
TENS of education, gsshould resolve to
do everything in his power to protect
and foster the public school.
He should vote gladly for more
schools, for better schools.
He should treat with respect the
opinions and the rights of those who
have not yet realized the value Of the
American public school system. But
he should resolve to use all of his in
fuence as long as he lives in behalf of
that system and against it's enemies,
however honest may be their enmity.
For it threatens the public welfare
when it threatens the public schools.
And the good citizen should think
also of the teachers in these schools
the tens of thousands of men and wom-
en- who devote their lives today that
a future generation may be better
equipped for the duties of citizenship.
Every American should feel it dis
grace that the great body of teachers
is shamefully underraid.
The janitor in the Jail, the cus+o-
dian of the corridors in the court
house, are better paid than the devot-
ed woman who gives up her youth,
her affections, her nervous strength to
the education of the children of other
women.
The guardian spirit Of American
liberty, looking down on the plains
and valleys, the mountain roads, the
crowded city streets Of this enormous
country, sees with eyes Of hope mil
lions Of school children. going to their
lessons.
Little girls walk along solemnly,
with their aims around each other S
waists, or in ludicrous consciousness
OF the existence Of some schoolboy
whom they admire.
The liftla hoy cyoinu n cnbnnl fnr