New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1903-07-18
JACK AND BILL.

administered to me last week concern.
ing your ever green subject Of public
school education has set me to think
ing, and am thinking yet, and the
more think the less know and the
more fear the work, the effect that
would seize my soul.
Bill. It is work, hustling exercise
you are afraid of? That is the native
disease affecting large and conspic-
uous part of the population. 1t is
the ogre instilling fear and trepida-
ton into the calm and listleness of a
days life. Education electrifies, pro-
duces flashes of thought Illuminating
he horizon of mind and vision of in
telligence. Public schools creates new
cravings Of soul, new hopes. new as
piations, new ambitions. They also
create CONSERVATION in the camp of old
dreams surrounded by obsolete condi-
tiOns.
Jack: 1t is really amuzing to hear
you invest your subject, your hobby
with so much genuine vehe1hence and
zeal. It is a pity that your eloquent
pleadings and devotions all on deaf
ears, on cold, pitiless, unappreciative
public. The same old story of the sage
being ahead of his time. The people
as a mass. move slow and are seldom
spontaneously transported into unex-
plored regions of public policy.
Bill: There is some truth in that
In my range Of observation
1 have noticed with alarm the power
full grip, tradition, habit, custom have
ON the idea Of the citizen The great
est difficulty is in the path of innov-
ations and improvement is that hered-
itary mode of existence mixed with a
widespread belief in the supernatural.
Jack: l tell you Bill, your public
school education is not popular. The
people like politics with its accom-
panying excitement; gumbos with pol
itical social features. Mix in little
politics in your school question and
promise job or two to some profess
sional shouter and you will popular
ize at once your pet. Without jobbery
and political intriguing you cannot
expect to penetrate the Gallons trade
of your constituency. bangle that mi
rage before their eyes and l can al
most guarantee that it be reached for.
Bill: 1t is sad condition of affairs;
a mournful refrain of a sinking soul.
The people have become subjects in
the full sense Of the word. No more
independence of spirit, no individual
ity in effort and enterprise. Every
body loving his country, and swayed
by patriotism must shed tear over
the departed spirit of liberty.
Jack: You are painting too dark
picture on your imagination. This
is happy; the people are con-
tented and that is the acme of good
government. Just as you deplore the
nay the estimation of gov.
ideals, my people would
hudder and tremble at disturbance
md change of habits and customs.
Zach side has its peculiarities and a
re 10th to relieve them. Public
chools regarded by you as an indis-
necessity to good government
o the life of the republic; by us it is
imply play ground, pass time for
eglected children. We send them
here when they are not needed in
Their profitable pursuits. We look at
he public school as foeign institu-
ion, teaching a foeign language and
foreign program.
Bill: Right is righl; it does not
latter if it meets ridicule and con-
,mpt. Just as pebble thrown into
calm body of water creates ripple
lat widens as the pebble goes down
xthe bottom, SO will the public
hool pebble widens it's ripple'as it
,es down the consideration of the
nod citizen. The germ is planted, |,
will grow and blossom in time. Its
Ireer may be checkered and stunted
1t the root of the plant remains
esh. Wait until the wheels of the
odern juggerment strike the prairiesl
this country and your people will
i've to move or be crushed under
cir weight. This is an age of cleo
icity, that does not permit the exist
ce of stated practicony eighteen and
neteen century habits. Game pre- /
rves are maintained for the sport Of
9 rich but preserves to perpetuatel
blical shepperdism or an encroach-
int on common sense. will
1ait development and bid you au
Foir.- J. d.