The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-10-15
PROCLAMATION BY THE COVER

~ the last meeting OF the General
Assembly Of Kentucky, recon
mended that Kentucky Illileracy
Commission be appointed and au-
thorized To inquire into and allie
viatc the condition of the adult IL
lileralcs in the state. and Mrs. Cora
Wilson Stewart, Chairman: Miss FL
In Lewis, Doctor J. q. Crabbc and
President II. II. Cherry were ap-
pointed rs members of the Com
mission. This Commission has in
auguratcd State campaign. Mrs
stewart being the active leader in
the efforts to stamp out illileracy
through moonlight schools and 9TH
or methods. Upon their call for
volunteers about one thousand
teachers offered their services and
are teaching or making arrange
ments to teach at night and others
are daily Offering their services.
The chairman and leader in this
great work has informed me that
the Kentucky Educational Associ-
alton, the Kentucky Press Associa-
ton, the kentucky Federation of
WOmen's Clubs, and the Society OF
Colonial Danes are taking much in
terest and are performing much
valuable service. and that many
other organizations In the State
seem interested. The aim of the
Kentucky lllitcracy Commission is
noble and exalted and Of the great
est benefit. aud there Is no subject
of more importance or Of more far
reaching influence than the climi-
nation of llllteracy from our State.
We should educate all of our peo-
pie, those under twenty-one years
Of age, and those upwards Of TWEEN
ty-Onc years Of age. The perpe-
tuity Of our free institutions de-
ponds upon the intelligence and vir-
tue Of the people. There are 20S,-
OSi men and women in our State
who cannot read and write. and OF
whose intelligent efforts along the
lines Of education. religion and
general development and advance
mcni the State is deprived, and this
constitutes "A dcplorablc situation
and presents great and urgent
need which should be- promptly met
and relieved. Instruction should
be- offered 10 the mothers for their
own sake and for the sake of their
children and the benefit of the
state: IT should be offered 10 the
fathers for their own sake and for
the sake Of increasing their earn
ing capacity and promoting home
comforts. and for the sake Of a more
Intelligent exercise Of the right of
suffrage so as Ia help maintain good
government for the State. lnstruc-
ton should be offered 10 the young
men and young women who have
missed opportunities earlier in life,
but may yet take hold Of instruc-
ton and make achievements. The
instruction Of all the illiterates in
the State will not only give To Ken
lucky higher rank. educationally,
among the States, but will give her
a new and distinct position as the
first Commonwealth which has ever
attempted to accomplish such a
great and important work. | call
upon all 10 help in the cause of ed
ucation Of those under twenty-one
years of age and those upward Of
twenty-One years OF age, and I ap-
peal to every public and private
teacher, every professor in our
high schools, colleges and univer-
sites, all public officers, every rep
rescntatlve Of the press, every pro-
fesslOnal man, every farmer, me-
chanic and business man. and every
woman who loves the blessings Of
education, and all who desire to
promote religion, science, literature
or art, or advance progress or i'm
provement in any line, all who de-
sire to lessen crime, to help in the
great work Of teaching adult illit-
crates, both male and female, to
read and to write and spell and en-
courage them 10 seek knowledge
and add to their requirements by
schools and by illumi
mated school houses where educa-
ton is as free as the air we breathe,
and where all may come to edify
themselves and drink of the foun-
tain of the water of life freely.
In testimony whereof | have !
caused these letters TO be made
patent and seal of the Common
wealth 10 be hereuntO affixed. Done !
at Frankfort the 2ist day of Sep /.
tember, in the year of our Lord one
thousand, nine hundred and four
teen, and in the one hundred and |
twenty third year of the Common