Year: 1877



 vancement of such ideas, and the advocacy of such measures as are calculated to benefit it's readers, add to the prosperity and enlightenment of the masses, and make it true and useful paper for the people. In the editorial management of the paper this purpose has been kept steadily in vIew, and if errors have made they have been errors of the head and not of the intention. In

 fallibillty we leave to others; we dc the best we can, and trust to the good sense of a generous public for the vindication of our purposes.

 In pursuance of this purpose, we now desire to call the attention of the people of Pope county to the importance of the annual school meetings which are held in August. We call attention to these meetings thus early oh account of the vast importance of them, and on account of their intimate relation to the best interests of the people. The cleo tion of President of the United States, although that is the very highest honor which can be conferr- ed upon a citizen of this country by his fellow citizens, is of scarcely greater importance to the people, and is scarcely so intimately con

 nected directed with the welfare of our people as these annual school elections. It is not necessary for us to remind the reader of the impor- tance of a more general education of the masses, at least to the extent of a good common school education. Whoever has eyes to see sees that illiteracy and ignorance in this progressive age will forever hold its unfortunate victim 9 slave and a serf. Ignorance at this age of the world is crime. Heretofore the annual school meetings have not had that diligent attention of the masses which they should have had. There has been a luke warmness which has had sickly and baleful effect upon the common school sys- tenn; and we now tell our readers that no matter how excellent q school law the State may have if the people are not in sympathy with it, and unless they use their efforts and influence to put it into practical effect, it will be of no avail. Even with good school law and good school officers there will yet be an inefliciency about the common school system If the common people do not do their part. It is the masses who are interested in these things and the masses derlve the most benefit Why, therefore, will they not take an interest in them? We venture the assertion that there is not anoth- CT way by winch the common citl- zen of the country can do so much for himself, for his family and for his State in one day, as he can by giving one day to the August school meetings and doing well the duties of that day. In no other way can he derive so great profit from one days time. We appeal to the peo- pie of our county to take this matter in consideration and take a greater interest in the annual school meet ings next August. And word te school directors throughout the county; Stir your people up in this matter. Take every opportunity which presents itself to incite all interest in the approaching meet ings. Begin now, every chance you have, to secure your neighbors in

 terest Tn this matter, and tell youl neighbor to stir up his neighbor Keep the caldron boiling, and les

 you should forget this appeal, WI

 promise to again give you q few

 lines on the same subject before th'