The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-09-25
EDUCATION PEOPLES DUTY
Wideman, Superintendent of Green
wood County, Calls on Them to
Awake to Responsibilities.

Columbia.-To the Parents and
Guardians Of South Carolina:
Within the past few months u
state has experienced n of the
greatest political u%pheavals since, per-
haps the days of "76" and now I call
upon the people Of South Carolina to
lay aside all passion and prejudice
e%ngendered by this conflict and turn
their attention to the paramount Is
sue of Importance before the people,
the education of the youth Of u
common custody. We may make mis-
takes in our governmental affairs and
survive them, but If the education Of
the youth of our country is neglected
and we allow our children to grow up
in ignorance, we have done them an
injury that time itself can not re-
pair. Educate the people and our
country is safe, our children are
blest, and we are a happy people. Let
the people grow up in ignorance and
they will bear the curse of ignorance
through life and our country will
suffer the evil consequences that
must inevitably follow. I appreciate
the honor the people of Greenwood
county have again conferred on me.
I am deeply sensible Of the duties mi
responsibilities this honor brings with
it. 1 am not in this office simply for
the few loaves and fishes I get out
of it, but it is my earnest desire to see
every child in South Carolina ma
circulate in the public schools ofthis
state. All my time, talent and energy
shall be devoted to the accomplish
ment of this purpose in Greenwood
county. 1t is said that South Carolina
is one Of the most, if not the most
illiterate states in this union. l think
this statement will be borne out by
the following statistics: There are
in South Carolina $4,000 people who
can not read their names, $4,000 vot-
ers who can not read the ballot they
cast, $4,000 children are not in the
schools OF South Carolina. Whose
fault is it that the these $4,000 chill
dren are not in schools? l am able to
show that it is no fault Of the state,
for she has made ample provision for
the education Of her citizens at a
nominal cost to the parents, and
guardians Of the county, then the
fault must be at the door Of those par
ents and guardians who are with
holding their God-given birthright
from their children and making them
hewers Of wood and drawers of wa
ter, and perhaps they are consuming
their earnings in the pleasures OF
life. Indifferent parents be careful
less one of these days your child will
point the finger Of scorn at you and
will tell you, thou are the man that
has kept me in the background
cheated me out Of my God-given birth.
right, which was committed to your
keeping to be transmitted to me. You
have failed to do your duty, and I
must pass through life bearing the
mark of ignorance that you have
branded on me. God forbid that any
parent in Greenwood county should
be guilty Of such a charge. / call
on the people Of South Carolina to
awaken from their lethargy and see
that the mother Of Calhoun, Haynes
and McDufie shall no longer lay dor.
mant in this stagnation and decay, but
arise amidst her best environment
and assume her proper place.
JNO. F. WIDEMAN,
Superintendent Of Education, Green
wood County.