The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-17
THE STATES TWO PROBLEMS.
The Solution Of the Liquor Question
and Compulsory Education.

At least two Observation-Disclosures
tai and. vital in the economic. social
and moral life of every people-now
face the people of u little State
the disrensary and compulsory edu-
cation. There is no need Of review
ing the steps by which a proud COM
monwealth was revealed as an active
agent in encouraging graft and in de-
bauching its citizens. The question
now is how to rid ourselves of the dis
grace and remedy the evil. The condi-
ton could mo- be made palmer. The
remedy, however, is yet far. from
plain. 1t is no time for p~rotestation
and mere moral platitudes any more
than for the winnings Of tax dodgers
and politicians who are filed with So
licitude for the pockets of the dear
people. The question of dispensary
involves the solution of the far greater
d1lQ SCihQICA QQOSIIO1 49,
drink trade and habit. None who
place the truly moral and spiritual
above gain and expediency will hest
tate to place the ultimate solution in
prohibition-the protection of the
weak and the shielding Of the inno-
cent. But it is in the mediate STEP
that they are honestly divided. Shall
we strive for immediate prohibition?
If so, shall it be by State or county?
Or can the people be brought to prohi-
bition only by sane and righteous reg-
ulation-if there can be any such
thing as righteous regulation of so
debasing a traffic? Certainly there is
need for fullness, frankness, sanity of
investigation and discussion. The is
sues at stake are too momentous and
~far-reaching to risk haste in the selec-
ton Of means. Certainly, too, those
of US who are opposed on principle to
any phase of whiskey traffic must not
shut our eyes to actual facts and con-
ditions. A mistaken zeal may over
leap itself and thwart and postpone
reform as much as intentional obstruc-
ton.
The question of compulsory educa-
ton will also come up during the next
session of the legislature. This sques-
ton involves necessarily the wider
questions Of the enlargement and bet
terment of our public schools, child
labor and the right of the State to in
terfere with parents who would sup
port themselves at the expense Of their
children's future. It is to be hoped
that the coming discussion Of these
questions will be free from the bla-
tant narrowness of the demagogue and
the l~ittieness of race prejudice. It
would be well, too for all who take
part in debate to make sure of the
accuracy of their data and illustr~
tons. Ignorance is as misleading as
falsehood.
Compulsory education and child Ia
Dor must depend for their solution
q sane legislature urged on and
supported by a well defined public
opinion. The initiative and success in
the betterment Of our schools must be
largely local. There is need for better
school buildings, growing libraries
and better paid, therefore better
equipped, teachers. These are within
the reach of nearly every community
in the State. The difficulty lies large
ly in a selfish ignorlng Of obligation to
ones community in a narrow view IF
duty to ones children and a conse-
quent unwillingness to give generous
ly of time and money to the support
of the local school. Of hardly less
Importance. is the selection without
prejudice, partisanship and personal
ambition of the most efficient and suit
able men in the community for the
position Of local trustees.-Southern
Christian Advocate.