The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-02
FOR EVERY BOY AND GIRL.
Schools Are Opening and Greatest
Advantage Of Opportunity.
Atlanta Georgian.

Atlanta Georgian.
This is the great week of the wear
all over the United States. 1t is the
week Of the public schools.
Millions Of children begin again the
year OF study, of mental work-a year
OF nope and opportunity.
In the great city schools Of iron and
prlck and glass the children go in
hundreds and thousands great pro-
cession blocking the streets at the
morning and evening hours.
In the country, on lonesome hill
sides, the small schools are opening
patient women are ready for the work
that means so little pay and so little
gratitude, and a few children gather
from far and near under the slanting
shingle roof and the flag that flies
above 1t.
No week means as much as this
week OF school opening to the people
of the United States and especially TO
the future ofthe United States.
AT the opening of school fathers
and mothers should talk to their
children and impress upon them
what the public schools mean.
For ages human beings were rul-
ed, they were miserable oppressed
and helpless; because they were ig-
norant.
Very slowly the people at the bot
tom moved toward the top. Slowly
and painfully, in one country after
another, they acquired the greatest of
all rights, the right to knowledge.
In this country, more than in any
other, that right has been developed.
Every boy and girl who will may
learn. The wonderful art Of printing
and the knowledge Of reading open
all science, all history, everything that
is worth while to the mind Of every
child.
The boys as they go to school today
look very much alike and act very
much alike. The big boys tease the
little boys, and the little boys retail
ate, when they dare.
A spirit looking down from above
upon the children would see little diff
ference. But the difference is there.
and it is largely in the spirit in which
no Of &c
Try to make your children real
ize that school is their opportunity.
Make them feel that when the school
doors open it means more to them than
if the door Of some great mine of
Aladdin's wealth were opened be-
fore them.
Wealth without knowledge is moth
ing. knowledge alone makes possess
sion worth while.
Tell your boys and girls how the
greatest success il the world has been
won by study, and usually by children
who had little opportunity-eXcept
the chance 10 get knowledge.
Make them understand how long
it has taken TO establish public
schools and let everybody learn.
Tell your little boy that he has as
good chance today as any boy born
in the country-if he will take ii.
Make your little girl feel that what
the school teaches to her she will
teach to her children in the future
and do work as important as that of.
any man.
Interest yourself in the school life
Of your children. in their studies. in
their success, and especially in their
disappointments and school sorrows
those SORROWS are very real to little
children.
If you can DO so. become acquaint-
ed with the teacher in whose hands
your children are placed. Make the
teacher feel that YOU appreciate the
work thai the teacher does-the
greatest work in the world.
Make your children realize what
they owe 10 the teacher-Obedience,
Respect and Gratitude.
The public schools open, the door
of knowledge is unlocked. the possi-
blity Of success is there-it is the
greatest week in the greatest country