Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-05-06

, community is the welfare of it's chill
dren. At no period in their lives are
they so impressionable as during the
time when they attend our publ :
schools. This is the time, and this
the opportunity to inculcate in their
minds the highest type of idealism
to impress the, necessity for the high
est standards of honor, integrity ana
virtue. This is the period when
the> child gHmpses it's first visions
of the world and what it has to of
fer those who have strength ana
determination and the power to
achieve. This is the period during
which we lay the foundation for CIT
izenship, for nation building, for
home appreciation. 1t is the all-vi-
tai time in the life of the child and
as a consequence, of the race
Granting that this is true, and ev-
cry rational-minded citizen will read
lily concede it, is there any invest
ment we should hesitate to make in
the interest Of our children? IT SO,
then our civilization is failure and
democracy must eventually shrivel
up and perish. Our Wanted wealth
and development represents only an
empty shell from which the soul that
gave our nation life mad power and
success has departed.
For ten years we assign the mental
care, the moral welfare and the in
tellectual development of our chill
dren to the teacher. The teacher in
large measure makes or mars the fu-
ture destiny of the pupil. 1t is evil
dent therefore that we must have
the best people the nation affords
for our teachers, and ] am thankful
to say that this is true. What won-
derfui missionaries they have been
these devoted women who have given
their lives and their hearts in mis-
sionary service to the boys and girls
of America, and what have we met
ed out to them in return for what
they have done for the fathers and
mothers of this country? The most
indifferent and contemplate recog-
milton in the way of monetary reward
which any class or type of employees
has received in the past or receives
at the, present time.
We want recognition for our teach
ers. We, want them to have oppor-
tunities to further perfect themselves
happily situated so that their loves
may be full of contentment and sun
shine, to be in turn radiated out into
the community through the children
under their charge. This cannot be
done if we condemn them to penury
and to the severest kind of struggles
for a mere existence. The time has
come when we can show our faith
and our belief in the DEVOTED band
of men and women who have in
charge the chief asset of Georgia,
and I cannot, believe that any ra-
tional-minded citizen will not cheer
fully go to the polls and vote for
the small. increase asked, in order
to justify us in asking our teachers
to continue their work for, US and for
our children. To do less can only
bring contempt and criticism upon
us from other communities To do
less would be an injustice to the
generous hearts of the people of
Georgia and to the fine sentiment and
spirit of this beautiful and progress
sive state. An injustice long en-
dured may now be righted. Let as
ego over the top" as we have in all
other matters. Let us remember that
the torch of civiliza ton reposes in
our hands. Now that we have made
world safe for humanity we must
make it safe for democracy. Over