Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-10-12
How to Improve the Negro.

liOW W HllpiOFS llS lNCSIOs
There are few, if any one privilege,
we should esteem higher than one we
have to educate and to educate our
children. tits process Of refinement
for which there is no substitute. The
old saying, "As the school, so are the
people" holds just as good to-day as
when it was spoken.
The proud American people to-day
owe their greatness very largely to
its schools and school accomplishment.
The Negro is not unlike other races
as to not to be influenced and refined by
its schools. Higher ideals, more whole
some association and the whole fabric
of human society is influenced by the
school room.
How sad and regretful is the news
brought us by almost every daily paper
of the immoral aud vicious act of some
negro IN this country. So alarming has
been these charges that We hail the Cay
with gladness when the last vestige OF
such outcries shall be swept from the
face of this country. No one is more
ashamed of such rumors than the in
telligent and better class negroes. He
like many Others would have it legally
stopped and live together in peace and
quietness.
A careful study of the life and dis.
position OF the accused, characters will
lead to the fact that it is as rule The
ilIiterate and yagrant class, With thi,
conclusion we cannot fail to see the al
Importance Of putting forth strong, ear
nest and united efforts to give the ne
gro as fair chance to educate as possible
that we may improve his social circles
improve upon his home life and Civ,
him higher moral and civil ideals.
1t is a decided fact that very littl
can be done in the uplitt of peopl
unless one can get them to thinking
aud there is no work that calls for NOR
mental activity than that experience
in the development of the human mind
The negro wants such refinement tina
will inculate- an incentive to climb abov
his present level to higher planes q
Christian piety and general influences
The writer has heretofore expressed hi
regret that quite number of yOun
people of this town walk idly about il
stead of going to school which is in SEES
sion in their town. 1t has been truth
fully said that can idle brain is tn
devils work shop" Idleness breeds i'd
thoughts which too often result i
shame and regret. | am laboring a
mong my people here to improve upol
existing conditions. And while it
4 acknowledged that marked advance
j ment has been effected among thos
who have come in regular contact wit
t my work, yet the desired end and ali
is not attained. We lack in school tern
, sufficiently long to do betteF work.
Those who have any knowledge 9
! educational work know that very littl
can be accomplished by schools who's
terms den exceed six months. Tn
is especially true in towns where tn
children are more idle and catchin
every passing phrase and ragtime sonl
learning bad habits, such as cigarett
smoking etc. ! am ambitious to tn
end of having a more intelligent negr
populace, and if this is had it will nc
t only be of immeasurable benefit to tn
: race wife which am identified, in an
about Lawrenceburg, but its ennoblin
T power will be seen and felt within whit
circles as we'll, since we come in frequel
contact with you around your home
and among your children, as servant
etc.
Everyone should feel concerned in
matter which gives popular annoyanC
and labor to give it an end.
H. G. A.