Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1922-10-19

Fortunate the boy and girl that go to the pub
lie school. Much to be ptied those deprived
of that splendid training in American life and
American thought
The public school is the United States in min
aturc. In it the little citizens that are to be the
future voters sit side by side, all EQUAL. They
study and learn to know each other. They realize
most precious knowledge-n early youth thai
it is what YOU ARE, not what your father HAS
or what your grandfather WAS, that makes the
difference in this world.
The establishment OF the public school was the
greatest event in all the history of the human race
1t declared and established the fact that in coun
try believing all men to be created free and equal
it is necessary that all shall have knowledge and
FREE KNOWLEDGE in order to make that
equality worth while
The nation now says "Ihe mind of every child
shall be fed at the public expense. The State viii
compel the parents to see that the children are
taught and will supply FREE taching for every
one that wants it."
That declaration, represented by the public
school, is the greatest step that civilization ever
took. And since the first step was taken the
public schools have advanced in efficiency, in
her, in beauty in attendance in magnificent results
OF every kind.
Politicians have grated public schools, book
concerns have grated public school funds, contrac
tors have swindled and vicious, un-American ell
ements that hate the public school because il
REALLY TEACHES THE CHILDREN have
fought against it-lile that English Governor Of
Virginia who hoped that there would not be d
public school in his state "for another hundred
years"
But in spite of it all, the public schools have
gone steadily FORWARD. The public has watch
ed them, has demanded that they be built ever big
ger safer, finer.
The teachers not paid as yet they should be
but each year there have been some improvements
Back of good pay for the teachers, the best
schools and books for the children, there stands
ninety per cent of public opinion, and ninety per
cent is ENOUGH.
And wherever there is public school, whether
it be the magnificent high school OF the biggest
city, or the simplest little country school, one small
wooden room with the American flag flying above
it, YOU FIND THE AMERICAN SPIRIT
GROWING.
In that little school at the country crossroads,
where the children are gathered AS EQUALS.
They all have the same rights they all taught
tie same. They play together, they are American
friends studying in childhood, growing up to be
i lerican citizens working together in adult life.
Theer is nothing more beautiful than class
room full of children well taught nothing more ad-
nirabe than the career the character, the devotion
of an earnest teacher, giving to the children Of
other men and women all that the teacher has OF
intelligence kindness, affection and concentrated
thought.
HONOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL. Honor the
system of teaching that is really democratic and
really American. Send your children to the pub
lie schools, or you send them where their chance
is cut in half
No matter how rich you may be, or what you
can AFFORD vor CANNOT, for the chdren's
sake afford to deprive them OF the public schoo
atmosphere, of the DEMOCRATIC BAPTISM
that should come in early childhood
There is only one really American school room
that is the PUBLIC school room.
There is only one typitay American school, and
that is the American PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Children FEEL equality, and they feel Unequal
ity. From live to ten years of age the chds char
acter is formed and established for all the rest OF
its life The preudices beliefs, incnatons, aspir-
atoms and national feeling acquired at that age
last until death.
Give child until it is seven years old,
said an experienced teacher, 'and after that you
may do what you please with it. You never take
cut of its mind that which have put in that mind
And that is the solemn truth
The American public school puts in the minds
OF children DEMOCRACY, love of equality, belief
in your fellow man, genuine equality that comes
from mngling with all classes, and knowing them
as equals and friends in useful mnd-mprovng
competition.
The test OF the politician, the office holder, is
his attitude toward the public school II he hest
tatcs II he departs one inch from the old idea that
the public school is the SCHOOL OF AMERICA
and the ONLY school, if he hestates in his loyalty
to THAT school he is traitor to the spirit of the
United States and VOur vote should tell him so.