The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-12-20
The Effect en- Education Of the
Lost influence OF the FireSide.
CONTINUED from page tWo)

the history of our industrial develop
ment. Students of history know that
the home life remained pretty much
the same for many thousands Of years
until we reached the age Of inVen-
tons. While, these have brought un-
told blessings TO humanity-they
have played havoc with the home life
The farmer of today is no longer sat
isfed to make simply living for him
self and family, but with the latest
improved farming implement he be-
comes ambitious for wealth, and his
time and talents are devoted to salts
fy this burning ambition. When ne is
tired, physically, and must snatch a
few minutes rest the rural delivery
has brought him daily papers in which
the Associated Press has furnished
the news of the entire globe. The
minutes have turned to hours, so in
terssting were both the news and the
quotations of the markets or the
world. If he has any other time to
spare there are still new magazines
and books unread. The time to re-
tire to bed comes all too soon, and
the child has missed one valuable
evening with his father. The mother
has also been equally busy, and the
way one evening is spent is the way
the year is spent. The merchant, with
keen competition everywhere, deter
mines to hold his own, and hence his
business is his first consideration. He
must study his trade, and push It IN
the evening hours as well as in the
noon hours if he is to hold his own.
The things that interest the city moth
er need not here be enumerated
since they are sufficiently known to
any observer of modern society,"
so the child in the city even more than
the child in the country does not en-
iov the close communion with his par
ents that he longs for. The great So
cial gatherings of the ante bellum
days that afforded the child an oppor-
tunity to hear great men discuss great
issues are now treasured customs OF
2 rich civilization already extinct. IN
1902 a Frenchman said in the Chlca-
20 Record Herald, Business IS
passion in America. A foreigner can
not understnd it." This grave charge
made eight years ago, IS simply
freighted with truth, and we cannot
deny it. The condition complained OF
here has already begun to bear fruit
In June of this year there appeared
in the editorial columns of the Co
lurnbia State" most interesting and
timely article on the teaching OF NOR
ais in the public schools. A few SEN
fences of this article will show how
keen the Frenchman's> observation
was. "The laying of a good founda-
ton in morals is absolutely essential
To success in life, but how unfortun-
ately true it is that children receive
little ethical training in the home ana
none in the school. The need of ethi-
cal training in the schools is quite ap-
parent from the low moral standards
Drevalent everywhere in the State.
The corrupting influences at work
ought to arouse serious alarm. what
is called graft is no uncommon thing
among US. The distinction between
meum and tuuIn is not recognized to
the extent that it once was. Men no
longer hesitate to lie even in Ia"
court. There has been lowering OF
the whole moral tone of society, which
religion is powerless to stay. Perhaps
vice has more secret votaries than VIZ
tue. Doubtless nothing can be done
IN nreyent the inroads now being made
on society by unethical principles
and standards, but surely society can
he saved in the future through the
means suggested. The teacn1ng lolce
OF the State cannot get to work TOO
soon in this direction. Our future cltl-
zenship depends upon what shall be
done within the next few years. The
very life of the State, its peace, pros
perity, and happiness, all are ground
ed upon the sort of moral training our
children shall receive"
To deny that this condition exists is
folly; to ignore it is criminal. lie be-
lieve the schools can do something to-
ward eliminating this evil from socle-
tv, and in our own graded schools we
have acted upon the excellent sug-
gestions contained in this article; but
TO correct an evil that the home mas
allowed to grow up in it, and when
+he church is powerless to deal wltn'