The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-23

new measures which might be cal
culated to disturb existing conditions
Rather should we discuss and give
our attention to matters, the pro pei
solution of which must inevitably
add to our general welfare.
Prominent in scope and meaning
for any people, and especially for the
whites of South Carolina, should be
the great subject of education. On
such an occasion rs this only the
most important points can be touched
upon-important details having of
necessity to be omitted. A COM
monwealth can have no greater
source of pride, no greater glory and
no surer guarantee of the stability
of it's institutions, than is afforded
by an educated and enlightened citi-
zenship. The education of people
should be measured by it's breadth
its diffusion among the masses. 1t
should not be confined to certain
classes, but universal in it's benefits,
it should be common to all. The
education of the children of South
Carolina-of each and every child in
South Carolina-their being taught
in a systematic manner, with school
terms long enough to be beneficial,
within neat and comfortable school
houses, deriving instruction from
competent and God-fearing teachers
this should be subject near to
the hearts of those in whose hands
are placed the control and regulation
of our government.
Here serious problem confronts
the wi ite people of our State. Ac-
ccrding to the reports of the Super.
intendent of Education for several
years past, it ia shown that more
negro children than whites are at,
tending our public schools. Do our
white people realize what this means
for the futureH Do they realize that
if they allow their children to grow
up in ignorance, the Constitution of
their State-a Constitution of their
own making and adoptiou-will,
later on, deny the ballot to their
sonsf Such a catastrophe is against
all of our traditions, and it can and
must be prevented by an awakening
among our people to the exigencies
of the situation, and firm deter
mination on their part to remedy it.
If necessary, any sacrifice should be
made on the part of parents in order
that their children might take ad-
vantage Of the educational facilities
afforded them by the State.
The Constitution of our State, re-.
cognizing the fact that our entire
educational system is founded upon
the common schools, has undertaken
to "provide liberal system of free
public schools for all children be-
tween the ages of six and twenty
one" There is no more important
consideration before the people of
South Carolina than is contained in
this clause of the Constitution. 1t
has meaning all it's own--a mean
ing for which there can be no sub
stitute, and it commands and should
receive the hearty and undivided
sanction of us all. Let there be the
best common schools we can afford
in every community and district,
with we'll built school houses, longer
school terms, competent and better
paid teachers, and in the work thus
done, our State viii, reap a rich re.
ward.
The trainers Of our organic law,
realizing that wealthy and populous
communities could provide schools
for themselves, while poorer and
more thinly settled districts were. not
30 fortunate, have made it the duty
of the General Assembly to supple
ment the school funds of the latter,
in order that all tho children Of the
State may have an equal opportunity
to acquire somewhat more than the
rudiments Of an education.
For years the State has fostered
it's higher institutions of learning,
and my influence shall always be OK
erted to see that this is continued.
The increased care and attention
given 20 our common school system,
unoro tn onn,n ,,;II