The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-31
THE ILLITERACY COMMISSION
OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Us Principles, It's Work, and an .Ap-
peal in Its Echalf.


peal in Its Echalf.
In compliance with the request Of
the Federation of Women's Clubs.
Governor Manning appointed an IL
literacy Commission for the State OF
South Carolina The Commission as
constituted at present consists OF the
following: Patterson Wardlaw,
Chairman; Mrs. J. L. Coker, Miss
Mabel Montgomery, ]. E. Swearin-
gen, George d. Brown, S. H. Ed
munds. C. E. Burts The principles
and outline of work of the Comnlis
sion are stated below:
l. State Pride The shame of be-
ing the most laggard Of all the States
in literacy should sting the decent
self-respect of every South Carolln-
ian into vigorous action.
2. The Future. The terrific test
to which our political fitness and in
dustrial competence will be put in the
fierce after-war struggle demands
universal education as a condition of
self preservation.
3. A War-Measure of the First
Magnitude. Since the success of the
war depends mainly on the whole
hearted devotion of the people, the
first duty of patriotism is to see that
no citizen remain insulated from the
currents of the nations mind.
4. To save the world, the ef-
fciency Of rapacity must be over
matched by the efficiency Of demo-
cratic intelligence.
5. To deny to any of our people
the chance even to read the word or
God is to violate the very spirit OF
Christianity.
6. It is pathetic and intolerable
that hundreds of worthy people can
not read or write the letters be-
! tween themselves and their boys in
camp and trench.
The Work OF the Commission.
1. The Commission is to work un-
der the leadership of the State De-
partment Of Education and as auXil-
iary to it.
2. 1t purposes to co all in its pow
er to cooperate with, encourage, and
aid all persons, organizations, and
other agencies that are striving for
the eradication of illiteracy from the
State.
g. 1t will endeavor:
To work for such legislation as is
necessary for the success of the
cause;
To use all legitimate means Of
propaganda and agitation;
To become center for the gath
ering and exchange of information
and for correlation of all agencies in
the State working toward the same
end;
To asst. as far as possible, in ac-
tual execution;
To raise the money that may be
necessary for the above named ends.
An Appeal in Behalf of The Work OF
the Commission.
While the distinct purpose of the
J Illiteracy Commission is to remove
as far as possible adult illiteracy
from our borders, the Commission
lends it's cordial approval to the pro-
motion of real education in all its
i phases. e:sss',:Sss
In recognition of the fact that edu-
cation is an imperative war measure,
the State Council of Defense has
adopted and has published in its
handbook this educational creed:
L. We believe in education; be-
cause it makes us despise littleness
and induces us to endeavor to be big
Of mind, generous of soul, and sound
of body
| 2. We believe in public educal
ton: because it best fits one to live
the life of free man in a free coun-
try.
l 3. We believe in education at pub
lie expense; because it is the payment
O ia just debt that citizen owes his
State in r Urn for her fostering care
to see to it that the next generation
shall be an enlightened and educat-
ed citizenship.
4. We believe in compulsory at
tendance upon public schools; be-
cause ignorant greed and selfish ar
rogance can not be counted upon to
give to every boy and girl an equal
chance in life.
5. We believe in the education of
the whole man that will produce a
sound boy, a broad-g gagged mind,
and a generous soul, crowned with
life's fundamental virtues and graces.
By this action the State Council OF
Defense has officially stamped the
work of the 1lliteracy Commission as
d War Measure, and the Commission
earnestly believes that in it's efforts to
prosecute its principles, it is per-
forming in behalf Of our nation and
State patriotic duty. The call for
education in all its phases has never
been more imperious than it is today.
The Prussians through their pernic-
ious principles have brought educa
| ton into disrepute, because in the
minds of an unthinking world the
Prussians have made education
synonym of brutality. 1t remains for