The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-08-19

oNe OF tne curious tNlHSS W HN
North Carolina is that while
the outside world has known little or
the State, the people OF Norm caro-
lima also, seem to have overlooked
them any virtues and the many re-
sources that are hers.
Among the other things in which
North Carolina is thought to be de-
ficient is the school. Possibly Norm
Carolina common schools are not up
to the standard which they should be.
Likely they are not, for in this State
of over two million people and abund-
ant wealth of nature, the schools
should be wonderfully capable. They
ought to be better schools than are
anywhere else in the whole United
States. for the entire school system OF
our whole country Is in a crude con-
dition. no matter how much some OF
the educators may feel like boasting
of the excellence Of the schools OF
their various states. But North caro-
lima Is rapidly moving forward in the
matter of common schools, and the
indications are that the changes Will
make amends for h shortcomings
OF the past. for the State has a sur
prisingly good school ground work.
But it is not of the common school
that l was thinking just now, but the
higher institutions. Are you aware
hat North Carolina is we'll supplied
~ SVtLNS hiAA AhShS
Of learning and that this State COM
pares very we'll with other states, out
ranking some that may be expected
to make more pretenSiOns?
With the Inauguration OF a compul.
sorry six months term in the common
schools, from this on North Carolina
school facilities will be much more
substantial than is generally supposed,
n on such a footing as that the peo-
pie Of the State may feel rather proud
instead of ashamed.
Schools in the United States were
the work of the churches at the be-
ginning. One of the first in North
Carolina was the School at Charlotte
= organized under the name OF tht
Queens Museum. and later called
Liberty Hall in 1777. This was under
the Presbyterian ministers and som
OF the other representative people o.
Mecklenburg. The war closed the
school. CORVALLIS taking the building
as quarters for his troops.
In 1855 David Caldwell. a youni
man from Pennsylvania, who ha'
graduated from Princeton, came t
Guilford county as a Presbyterian
minister. He opened a school in
log cabin. which embraced an acad
envy. a college and a theological semi
nary. and possibly his seminary wa
the beginning Of real education in tn
colony. Many men Cam
from the Guilford school.
1t was in 1875 that the real schOC
system of North Carolina was found
ed. the Halifax constitution OF the
year declaring that schools shout
be established and learning promote
In one or more universities. Their
was the beginning Of the Cniversit
of North Carolina, which was locate
In 1892 at Chapel Hill. where instruC
ton was begun three years later.
other schools and colleges FOLLOWED
although the common school Systel
was hardly firmly established unit
1849. when the State was prOvidin
about a hundred thousand dollars II
the literary board. as it was calle'
which was divided mong h cOul
ties for school purposes. The none
came from the Cape Fear Navigate
Company, the Roanoke Navigate
Company. bank stocks. liquor tax. ar
the sale OF vacant lands and swan
lands. 1t was not the best school sy
tenn. but at that time the publ
school was an experiment in Il
United States. Figures in the Ricl
mOnd Compiler show that about tn
son In seven could not read and writ
the State being at the bottom Of Il
list.
1t is not a proud showing. yet
serves as IA comparison to indica
progress in common school work.
the higher school work the older i
habitants OF the State made a bett
showing. Those who had school a
vantages profited. as the documer
In existence will prove. Some Of. t
old legal papers unearthed OccasiO
ally give evidence OF education that
admirable.
In the State Journal is an adv,
ttsement OF IOuisburg College, viii
Announces that the institution Is
its 1ilth year. This school M
have been founded soon after the L,
versAty at Chapel Hill. Wake Fore
n Baptist institution Of the high
character. goes back to 1884. Dav
son. another Presbyterian SchC
comes some three years later.
All the denominations establis
schooiS-the Moravians at Winstt
Salem, the Friends in G~uilford,
I1InS - p,n tha o$kn~