The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-15
FIGHT ON ILLITERACY.

There Is really no excuse for any
white man or woman OF average in
teiligence remaining so illiterate as to
be unable to read and write. A little
application for only few hours a
week over u period of few months
VIII enable any person TO acquire the
ability To read and write. This small
measure of education equips the IL
literate person TO remove himself or
serself from the ranks of the ignorant
and places his feet firmly upon the
highway of knowledge. Having once
acquired the ability to read one has
tho key TO all knowledge, and 1t js
then but a question OF desire, industry
and persistence as to how far one will
travel this road 20 higher and better
things. There are far too many
adults in Sumter county who can
neither read nor write. but taking the
generally accepted view of their con-
dition, they are not to blame for the
handicap under which they labor,
since practically all OF them were de-
MED the privilege OF attending school
during childhood. Still many OF them.
if not all, could have made an op-
portunity 10 learn to read and write
after arriving at years OF discretion,
II they had had an impelling desire to
improve their condition. The average
man, however. exists In a state of
inertia and 1t Is seldom that one ex-
erts himself to bring about a revolu-
tionary change in his mode Of living
and thinking. There usually has TO
he some form or impulse from with
out 20 encourage him 10 exert him
seif and exercise his dormant fac
.ultios and, powers in a new and unac-
customcd manner IL has been due.
IN a great measure. to the total alb
sence OF this encouragement that the
illiterate of Sumter county have re-
mained illiterate in the midst Of q
citizenship that appreciates the value
OF an education. The average man
does not so far enough in his appre-
ciation OF education--he usually stops
short with his own family, gives no
thought to the others who live in ig-
norance and never extends n helping
hand TO lift them up. Neither have
the school authorities made any pro-
vision for the adults who stand in
need OF instruction. Once q child
passed the school age without obtain
ing the rudiments Of an education
through attendance upon the schools
provided by the state and county, he
has been abandoned to a life OF ig-
norance. Recently. however, there
has been a quickening of the public
conscience, and thu people who enjoy
the blessings and advantages of on
e0lolll0D OnO bOOis,lsa s,......i q
education are becoming possessed of
n realizing sense G., their responsible.
fy. IL Is In obedience to this feeling
OF responsibility that the County Board
OF Education has undertaken 10 in
augurate campaign against litter
acy and TO give tue announcement
that will induce the llliterate adults to
seek 10 improve the condition and
also provide the opportunity for them
To obtain an education. The WORK
VIII be started In this city ut the Y.
M- c. A. early In January. and the CO.
operation and active assistance of .hc
school trustees throughout the county
are sought 10 establish schools fo-
adults I'm convenient localities In sv-
cry section OF Sumter county. If the
plan can be carried out the percentage
OF illiteracy in this county should be
materially reduced within the next
few months. II can be made q sue
cess, however. only by the coopera-
tion OF all the people who believe that
ignorance Is drag on the progress
and prosperity OF our State. If tNe
educated people who are willing }
make sacrifices To send their own chill
dren 10 school will get i'm behind tho
movement. and do their part it can
be made a success.