The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-05-15

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obligation do they feel as to whether
the Governor pardons the criminal or
Expresses the innocent? What shame
do they feel when the whole country
ridicules their chief executive officer
when he stoops to encourage mob laW
and other forms of lawlessness. This
class of ignorant men corrupt our pol
tiles and make it almost impossible
for an honest, self-rcspccting man to
re elected to Office. That the remedy
for this evil is education is a fact
which we all know, but when parents
in their ignorance, stupidity refuse to
allow their children to make use of
the opportunities of the public schools
which are at their very door, it seems
that the time has come for some out
side pressure to be brought to bear.
For there is a sacred obligation upon.
every man.. And that obligation rests
upon you-upon me-and the cry OF
the innocent children against the slav-
cry of ignorance calls US on to their
rescue.
And to answer this call means but
one thing-Compulsory Education.
South Carolina must have it, or be
behind in her duty. The Laws of San
itation demand 1.-THE Laws Of Econ
omy demand it-and the Laws OF
Christianity demand it. We cannot go
into their homes and show them how
to be sanitary, and how to be econom-
ical. This they would resent, and It
would probably make them more stub
born in their resistance of informa-
ton. We cannot reach them by any di-
rect means. But by giving them educa-
ton they can be led into the right wa
by seeing for themselves wherein they
are wrong, and by becoming gradual
" reconciled to a cleaner and more
refined manner of living.
But compulsory education means cx-
pense of labor and expense Of money,
and some there are who will be short
sighted enough to think it a useless
waste from which there will be no
returns. But we are not the first to
advocate it. 1t has been tried by 9TH
err countries, and by some states IN
our own country with success. And
what the people spend in compulsory
education will represent capital in
vested at compound interest to be an
inexhaustible source of revenu to the
nation. 1t means exchange of gold fol-
human lives and human bodies and
human minds to make them healthy
and strong, ready to do a mans WORK
day by day and care for those little
ones intrusted to him, in an intelll-
gent manner. 1t means the making OF
men who will rise to a countrys
needs and share in the great move
ment onward and upward. And out of
this class will come these who will
solve the problems peculiar to their
kind, and in helping will become the
strong right arm of the Republic-ht
to be called sons of our great America.
The fight is on, and we are each
responsible for the results. Let us en-
Continued from Page Two)
list and give our united strength to
help turn the tide of ignorance by US
ing the tactics of education. 1t will be
4 glorious victory. 1t will open the
ewes of the blind and direct men to-
ward the goal Of success, and hasten
the day of true Democracy. For edu-
cation is altruistic, and seeks the
greatest good to the greatest number.
Seeks to make men realize their OBJ
legation to each other, and their sac
red trust-God given-that OF being
their brothers keeper. 1t will prove
that at is more blessed to give than
to receive-that by giving what we
have to be used in promoting the gen.
eral good, we are casting bread upon
tbe waters to be returned to US an
hundred-fold. Giving. in order to re-
ceive. Laying up treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth cor
rupt," and in the end hearing our
Master say to us: ENTER thou into
the Joy of thy Lord"