St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-05-22
ENTHUSIASTIC SCHOOL
MEETING AT
LEONVLLE
0peIonsas, May 18th, 1903.

80 "a
terast Of the public school at Leon
vile, and it affords me great pleasure
to say that the meeting was eminently
successful, both as regards the num-
Der Of people present and the mani
Hesitation Of school enthusiasm on this
occasion. For a long time this yiIl-
age has needed better school faeili-
ties. and it has been q question there
as TO how they might Be procured.
No one seemed to be willing to as
sumo tie initiative and work FOR the
accomplishment Of the desired end.
Within the last few months, al in-
creased general interest ii the schools
has arisen ii this community 81 good
people, and out Of that interest, real
enthusiasm on this important subject
has been evolved.
The meeting yesterday, at the little
and inadequate school house. vas
largely attended BY The most repre-
sentative people in the community,
and there was such q display Of zeal
and enthusiasm among the people
that we can now consider the CON
struction and equipment of q good
and comfortable school building there
an assured fact. Addresses on the
various phases Of the question were
delivered BY Dr.. Richard, Supt Thomp
son, Mr.. Darby, Mr.. Frisbie and last
but not least, Mrs. Or. Richard, who
said that the ladies' of the community
we're in this move TO help and coop
crate with the men ii bringing this
Iaudable work to a successful and
happy termination; that she believed
that every man would do his duty and
work zealously for this noble achieve
men5, but in the event that she might
be mistaken in forming her estimate
Of the men, and it should SO occur
that the men would fail to 10 their
part, she desired to inform those pre-
sent that the house would Be built
any way, as the women would build it
if the men should fail To do so. The
ladies were largely III evidence on
this occasion, and the nice and abun-
dant refreshments provided BY them
we're q guarantee chat their hearts
we're in the good work, and that the
encouragement and stimulation which
they, as ~co-Workers, would give I'd
the men must result in accomplish
ment Of their designa.
It's a matter Of great qualification
to see the contagion Of the school
spirit spreading throughout the parish.
Il is now at work all around, and il
Che near future NE can hope 10 see
The most beneficial results flowing
from it. With . continuance of The
|E
energy which is nor at work il The
upbuilding ana uplifting Of the stand
ard Of the schools ID this parish We
can look for wonderful things to
happen il school improvement, and II
viii not Be 1 great while, under tie
action of the forces now al work,
before st. Landry will stand ID The
fore front Of The public educational
systems of the State. So let as all
now bend cur energies il that direc-
ton, and actively engage ii making
preparation for The dissemination 81
general knowledge through the public
schools. thereby relieving our parish
of che stigma Of being one Of the
most illiterate Id the State.
Who among US will have the tenn
erity TO oppose so good d cause as
providing adequate school facilities
for the good Of present and future
posterity? Where can a better in
vestment Of q little money be made
than IN the purchase of mental and
moral equipment for che child? It's
results are felt in the home, il the
community, IN the citizenship, aud ii
the general welfare of the country.
So let rs appeal to tie good people
to keep the school spirit moving on
ward and upward. IN this lies more
than in anything else the develop
ment of our wonderful resources.
With intelligent minds and honest
and brave hearts to guide and direct
orr affairs we can expect TO see vast
Improvement il 4 material way re-
sulting from the practical and intel
ligent manipulation OF the great and
varied resources with which nature
has So IavishlY blessed Ms. Whv wait