The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1962-02-09

kAOGo u OIIIclalS IN springfield,
Mass, should be red this morning.
Their request to Prince Edward county
to pay the buttons ($4O5.OO each) for
four Negro children from Prince Ed
ward, who were solicited and invited to
attend public schools in Springfield, is
the ultimate in brashiness. Had the
Springfield officials kept up with the
Prince Edward case, they would know
that there are no funds available for the
education Of Prince Edward children
anywhere. A federal court has enjoined
the state treasurer, the county treas
uref, ct ais, from payment of any funds
for scholarships until public schools
are opened in this county, even though
appropriations have been made legally
for scholarships by the Virginia legis-
lature and the County of Prince Ed
ward. The Springfield officials should
know that scholarship funds under Vir-
ginia law are paid to parents of chill
dren, not to the public or private
schools.
No doubt the people of Springfield
have never been told that every effort
has been made by responsible and
sincere citizens of Prince Edward to
organize and operate private schools
which could serve every citizen of
Prince Edward County, Negroes as we'll
as white, but the NAACP would not
approve. No doubt the people of Spring
fold hol Drip
education away from the Negro, a mis-
conception, and misunderstanding of
the true desires of the expressed will of
the majority of citizens. They could
not understand that the people of Prince
Edward are interested in education for
all of its citizens.
When the officials of Springfield
threaten to collect by law the tuition
of these four children, the entire mat
Still There
Out in Chicago, the South Chicago
Chamber of Commerce conducted
contest on the subject Of Americanism
Richard Sklenar, 1O239 Morgan,
sophomore at Chicago Vocational High
School won first place with an essay on
the Bill of Rights. 1t was published in
the Congressional Record of January
%, and we reprint it here. The essay is
we'll worth reading per Sc. OF added n-
portance is the fact that it was written
by sophomore in vocational school
in Chicago.
BILL OF RIGHTS-CREATES STRENGTH
All Americans have much to be thankful
for. Perhaps the one thing we should revere
most is the Constitution Of the United States
OF America Here is the most important docu-
nlent ever written. Not only does it outline
our system Of government. but it safeguards
the liberties of free and democratic people
The heart Of the Constitution is of course
the Bill of Rights Here is an anthology Of de-
mocratic principles set down by our American
forefatherS. yet borrowed from the great
thinkers Of the old world This is perhaps the
first instance of our international melting pot
here in America
Public apathy seems 10 be al an aliine
high. Yet. even though this is an important
factor. we must realize the God granted rights
entail many responsibilities. We fail to realize
that our greatest threats lie in the future
Repeatedly brave Americans have died to
safeguard these rights. yet We tend to for
get this one important fact in our hectic lives.
Why is the Bill of Rights important? There
is one very simple reason. 1t is the lifeblood
for this democratic republic. Our entire lives
are based on the Bill of Rights
Just what rights does the Bill Of Rights
give US? To enunerate them al would be
near imrcssihilty-
VIII elaborate only upon the lat and 10th
amendments contained IN the Bill OF Rights.
AL are Of the greatest importance. but to me.
these seem TO BE- the greatest magnitude
The first amendment Of the Constitution
guarantees our freedom Of religion. speech.
and the press and the right TO assemble and
petition Herein lies the secret of Our sue
cess. Communism could take lesson from
this amendment
We are here granted the right to religious
peace of mind - to worship the God that gave
us this heritage in any way we feel proper.
We are also given the right of free speech.
That is. We can say what We want to. when
We want to. People may not agree with us,
tu! they may defend tc the death cur righ!