Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-11-24

L
| the stability Of civilized society Is tn
outcome Of q proper adjustment Q
human affairs, which general diffu
sion OF knowledge embodies. II
many localities where lack Of edu
cational activity Is noticeable, the re
suits may be traced to the unsatis
factory surroundings, meager equip
ments and ineficient forces Of thu
public schools located in their midst
Such circles. already widely spreat
are Increasing yearly; and theil
baneful Influences are exerting them
selves in 4 marked degree, which
proves to be OF great detrtment to I
large portion Of the negro common
wealth. Observant eyes, scanning
the mental horizon, cannot fail tt
detect the dark spots creeping upor
It's borders. threatening to overshad
ow our intellectual sun by the thick
ness OF their mantle. The danger
arises not more from the manifest
Indifference Of officials exercising
supervision Of the public funds, than
the apparent blindness on the part
Of parents who fail to see the ne
cessity Of personal sacrifice to enable
them, by largely suplementing the
scanty appropriation from the public
purse, to secure the services OF those
instructors whose fitness would ele
vate them and lift the community to
higher grounds. Imbued with false
notions as to that which leads to in.
dividual Importance and determines
ones social status among his fellow.
men. the negroes. in no small num-
bers, are nbject slaves to fashion,
which has developed unquenchable
desires for finery and dimmed their
range Of vision In quest of nobler
things. Hence ignorance is gaining
ground where intelligence should rule.
Outward appearance Is not always a
true test Of prosperity; for extrava-
gance is the forerunner Of poverty.
To elevate the mind, and beautify
the inward man for the reception ,'of
noble truths ara, to many, after.
thoughts whose existence appeais to
fancy rather than reality. Pie spir.
II, herein portrayed. Is Iot univer-
sal, however. There are chosen
few, comparatively speaking. whose
zeal has not tagged from discourage
ment; nor have they failed to show
their hands and exert their energies
where meritorioYs services are re-
quired. Time was when authorities
did much encourage parental ef-
forts in the intellectual field and
stimulated endeavors by the aid Of
liberal compensation from public COT
fers. Az generous rivalry on all lines
OF activity, sprang up: and the re-
sourceE Of the various colleges Of At
lanta were heavily taxed to meet
the existing crave for knowledge.
They were cases Of necessity: thor
oughness was required In dispensing
information; and ample preparations
were necessary to meet the demands
OF the hour. In every stage OF hui
man action, Indifference creeps In
when interest takes its flight: and
when our minds become thoroughly
adjusted to surrounding circum-
stances, we settle down to state of
apathy unmindful OF the great dam
ages being wrought through the in.
fuence Of fncompetency. The cheap
est material 10 often the costliest in
the end; AID we often lose dollar
in our efforts to save dime. A
butchered mind in childhood is q
drawback to the individual In matur-
er life; and such is caused by a
want OF foresight created by igno-
rance and greed. "Let there be light"
said the Creator in the beginning.
and there was light; but darkness
was dispelled by Master mind. Ig-
norance supporting its kind can make
no satisfactory report: and It's mis-
sion will tend only to render condl-
lions more appalling. The errors we
commit against ourselves should ap-
peal to our correction, since our vel
fare Alone IL the most affected, and
others are not supposed to be wor-
ried about our own concerns. We
hope the ray may dawn upon our be-
nighted souls and awaken our slum-
bering senses, that we may rightly
view the path Of wisdom, and choose
to walk therein.