The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-03-02

10" lives lIOu the onomy-Out
comes the news, dashed in conspicu-
Gus headlines, running entirely across
our dallies, telling Of his gallantry;
with trained, we'll disciplined SOL
dlers, he wins a skirmish; a conven-
ton is called, speeches are made,
praises unbounded are his and winds
up with passing hats around"
What a magnificent monument is
erected to commemorate this hero!
The self-sacrifcing teacher, fight
ing under innumerable disadvantages
with an unframed force, ignorant but
versatile, rescues from debauchery
and shame, from an inglorious death,
teeming thousands. Where are his
headlines? Where is his fame? His
battles are glorious; obstacles are
surmounted, not by human force, but
by his and Gods. Where are his
monuments for battles fought and
won?
SIS there some danger that our
teachers, as class, may come to be-
lieve that the schools are established
and operated for their beneft?"
Upon what do you base the above
opinion? Right or wrong, you are a
debater, powerful, forceful Right
here let me tell you little incident:
Last summer at picnic held at Mt.
Zion Campground, Governor Hoke
Smith was one of the speakers. After
dinner, in the presence of a dozen
or more, including myself-politics
were being discussed in general. Dr.
Beauchamp asked the governor:
What about Mr.. Watson?" All he
said was complimentary; but this,
particularly, he emphasized: "Wat-
son is the best writer in the United
States"
But going back to your editorial:
Sir, the Lees, the Washingtons, the
WatsOns, are the products of those
magnanimous, those pains taking
teachers. What many of us are to-
day-trace it back-the germ of am
bitiOn pride, love of country, the very
cause for which men are nobly spend
ing their lives, are the fruits of the
draught of inspiration drunk from
the school room.
Certainly, I do not mean to de-
tract from the influence for good in
our homes. The day has come when
cOmmercialism is absorbing every
minute of the PARENTAL mind-ma-
terial insanity. No time to waste on
children. Turn it over to the teacher,
says the parent-curse him if no mir
acles take place in the education of
my boy.
The teacher, as a class, is dealing
with boys, as a class, who haven't
those lofty ideals of young manhood,
of Southern chivalry as of former
days. Show me your Websters, your
Clays, and your Calhoun Direct me
to your ToOmbs, your Cobbs, your
Stephens. All, your traitors, sellers
out, LOrimers, are of today. This
shameful result is not for the want
Of genuine teachers; but the lack of
genuine daddies.
Now you say, being teacher him
self, he sees only one side. To speak
Of the teacher individually, the story
changes. We have among our ranks
persons of various vices. Some are
parent-deceivers; some are hypO-
critics; some notorious liars; some
sanctimOniOus, indolent braggarts, so
lazy are some.
AS a class, Mr.. Watson, l find that
the teacher lacks moral courage:
when he is right, he often fails to act.
l am not sure it is Christian for
bearance CT cowardice. I have known
teachers to permit children of
wealthy families, children of in
fluential citizens, to do as they
pleased; and for some trife whip Sc