The Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 22, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 3, 1954 Page: 6 of 8
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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1954
SERVING THE CENTRAL RIO GRANDE VALLEY
THE MERCEDES ENTERPRISE
Student Commencement Talks
Students themselves “pinch-hit”
for a commencement speaker by
preparing and delivering their own
speeches in the Mercedes schools
last week, pt
Because many persons who
heard these addresses were highly
complimentary, The Enterprise is
pleased toy publish them for those
who may not have been able to
attend the ceremonies.
THE CENTENNIAL OF
TEXAS EDUCATION
By John Drew
The Centennial of Texas Educa-
tion, being celebrated this year, is
of paramount significance for every
citizen of Texas. This great event
marks one hundred years of strug-
gle in achieving an educational
system worthy of the great state
of which it is a part. The amount
of work done by the early leaders
of Texas was tremendous, and
their efforts should be indeed ap-
preciated by every person who
calls himself a Texan. Working
against terrific odds, these men
gave to Texas, education: “the dis-
cipline of the mind and character
through study and instruction.”
The development of the out-
standing educational facilities does
not merely date .back to 1854 when
the law establishing the first, pub-
lic school system was enacted.
No. it traces far beyond that date
into the early days of the world.
The education that everyone of us
treasures had its beginnings in
the days of the Hebrews, the
Greeks, and the Romans; for it
was from these ancient peoples
that we have developed our civili-
zation. The gift of the Hebrews was
their religious faith and moral
principles. The Greeks gave us li-
beral culture, classical art, litera-
ture, philosophy, and science; the
Romans, our ideas of law and
government.
In the Middle Ages several in-
stitutions were founded which were
of major importance. These in-
cluded the monastery and the uni-
versity, and these two were the
centers of learning for the people.
However, the education could be
obtained only by the wealthy, and
the vast majority of man remained
ignorant. Later, schools were
founded in connection with the
parish churches, but these were
only elementary schools, not cen-
ters of higher education. As the
eighteenth century arrived, there
were three kinds of “educational
control and organization; the pa-
rental, the Church, and the State.”
In the colonial times of Amer-
ica, education for the poorer
classes was given in the home
whereas the wealthy had either
tutors or private schooling. Grad-
ually, as the influence of such men
as Rosseau, Pestalozzi, and Froe-
bel was felt, schooling was more
adequate. Finally, through the ef-
forts of men such as Horace Mann
and Warren Colburn, public educa-
tion evolved. Interesting to note is
the fact that the first public high
school, which was called the Latin
Grammar School, was not estab-
lished until 1821. This school was
located in Boston.
though possessed of almost
boundless resources (the pub-
lic domain), and although it
is an axiom in political science,
that unless a people are edu-
cated and enlightened, it is idle
to expect the continuance of
civil liberty, or the capacity for
self-government.
Thus we can see how dearly the
early Anglo-American citizens of
Texas valued education for them-
selves and their children.
It is no surprise that the Con-
stitution of the Republic of Texas
made it “the duty of Congress • . •
to provide by law a general system
of education.”
During the administration of
Houston several schools were es-
Early Spanish plans for educa- tablished, but not much work was
tion did not work well in the Texas
territory. Although many plans
were made by the government of-
ficials. a practical system of edu-
cation was never truly developed.
Other major barriers that hindered
the Texas education under the
Spanish regime were poverty and
the lack of men with enough in-
telligence to teach others.
Mexico had made generous pro-
visions for education in Texas in
the constitution of the state of
Coahuila-Texas, but the system of
schools never became effective.
The ideas, such as uniform in-
struction and free tuition, were ex-
cellent, but a lack of funds pre-
vented the Mexicans from realizing
their plans. Perhaps the major
reason for the failure of the Mex-
ican schools was the attitude of
the people. People of the state
were just not interested in learn-
ing.
1821 marked the year in which
Stephen F. Austin brought his col-
onists to Texas to settle the vast
empire. These settlers established
the things that they were accus-
tomed to in their former homes.
Some colonists, the ones interested
in culture, searched for teachers
for their children; but others, the
one interested only in the bare
essentials of knowledge; put their
children to work at an early age.
Thomas J. Pilgrim was perhaps
the best teacher in the pioneer
Texas, and so it is only right that
we mention his name in connection
with education in Texas. However,
Pilgrim’s name never' appeared
with any of the efforts to form a
state system of schools.
When Texas declared its inde-
pendence from Mexico, one of the
major grievances against Mexico
was the neglect of public creation.
The Declaration of Independence
of Texas contained this charge:
It (the Mexican Government)
has failed to establish any
public system of education, al-
How to lead a
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accomplished until Mirabeau B.
Lamar took office. President La-
mar, in 1838, urged the setting
aside of large land tracts to de-
velop a system of state education.
Congress responded in 1839 by
granting Lamar’s request. For his
great efforts in the educational
program of Texas, Mirabeau B.
Lamar has been given the name:
“Father of Education in Texas.”
When the state of Texas joined
the United States in 1945, a new
state constitution had to be writ-
ten. The article concerning educa-
tion was one of compromise, and
it contained only a few definite
steps with little flowery enthusi-
asm. “Ten percent of the state’s
annual revenue was set aside by
law as a ‘perpetual fund’ to be
used to educate children of in-
digent parents.”
Each Texas governor from 1845
to 1854 demanded that a system of
schools should be established by
the legislature, but nothing was
accomplished until 1954.
The need for railroads and
schools became the chief issue in
the election of 1953. The guberna-
torial platform of Elisha M. Pease
called for a “Special^ School Fund”
to be set up by the state legisla-
ture. Pease was elected by a wide
majority, and action was taken.
On January 31, 1854, the law es-
tablishing the first public • school
system was enacted.
Although the system was put in-
to operation, it had many notice-
able weaknesses: (1) no central
control, (2) a scattered population,
(3) untrained teachers, (4) oppo-
sition to free public education,
(5) lack of co-operation v between
local and state officials, (6) oppo-
sition to the school taxes, and (7)
the philosophy of the people con-
cerning education. The foundation
embedded in 1854 was, however,
J destined to “outlast war, devasta-
tion, tyranny, and reaction.”
Texas education was greatly af-
fected by the Civil War, and,
after the conflict, the school sys-
tem was in a pathetic condition.
The Constitution of 1866 included
two important advencements: the
appointment of a State Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction was
legalized, and school teachers were
required to obtain certificates.
These steps were hindered, how-
ever, when the Federal Govern-
ment nullified the 1866 Constitu-
| tion.
In 1870, the United States Com-
missioner of Education, John Ea-
ton, Jr., said that Texas was “the
darkest field, educationally, in the
United States.” Therefore when the
Republican administration came
into office following the Civil War,
a state school system based on the
northern plan was established in
Texas.
This plan was most revolting to
the Texas citizens, for this new
system was totally different from
any which they had previously
known. Texans objected to the
high school taxes that they had to
pay, the northern teachers and
text books, and the compulsory
school attendance. Although the
feeling was strong with hate, phy-
sical violence was fortunately
averted.
The Democrats regained control
in Texas in 1873, and the still
school laws were modified. One
important advancement in the Re-
publican rule was the founding o'f
the independent school district,
with its good and bad points. This
act divided the population into
city and rural groups; and where-
as this caused the city groups to
make educational progress, the ru-
ral areas remained hindered in
their search for knowledge.
When the constitutional conven-
tion met in 1875 to write another
constitution for Texas, a stagger-
ing blow was struck to education.
Texas retrogressed to the poor ed-
ucational state that she was in in
the 1850’s.
The public schools were morbid
under the new constitution, for fi-
nances were terribly insufficient.
Schools were less efficient than
those before the Civil War!
Then like a light in the darkness
came a man to pull Texas through
the crisis. Oran M. Roberts per-
formed such great and magnificent
services that he came to be called,
“the greatest hero of Texas educa-
tion,”
Roberts stimulated Texans’ hopes
in a system of free public educa-
tion and was instrumental in the
drive that led to the Constitutional
Amendment in 1883, which brought
about the districting of Texas
schools. Strange as it may seem,
Roberts was not zealous for gen-
eral education. His only objective
was to have every child educated
sufficiently that he could become
a good citizen.
In the 1890’s came the Northern
influence of life and culture. This
influence was noticed in the
schools and universities as well as
in life and industry. As the 20th
century came, it brought to Tex-
as an age of great expansion in
business and in education.
Dr. W. S. Sutton shamed the
state with his report on education
in 1904. Texas ranked almost 40th
in comparison with the instruc-
tional facilities of other states.
Chiefly in need of improvement
were the rural schools.
It was noted, too, that the school
system was restricted largely by
the Texas Constitution, and not so
much by other things. The people
of Texas decided to do something
about the condition, and through
hard work Constitutional amend-
ments were passed which un-
shackled the public schools.
Since 1920 the chief problem of
Texas eduation has been conditions
of an internal nature. The “Golden
Twenties,” the depression of the
1930’s, and World War II each
brought its own problems to edu-
cation in Texas. The answer was
the public school survey, and the
committee working on this task
investigated the needs satisfac-
torily. This survey was the founda-
tion of an amendment in 1928 that
set up the State School Board.
World War n showed the people
of Texas that the state educational
facilities) were in need of reform.
The increased expenses and the
unequaled burden of taxation im-
pelled an overall reorganization.
This entire program was accom
plished in 1949 by the passage of
the Gilmer-Aiken laws.
These laws remodeled old agen-
cies into new ones, created new
offices and officers, guaranteed
children a minimum of education,
and provided a minimum yearly
salary for teachers.
The future for Texas education)
looks bright and promising as one
gazes forward. We cannot defi-
nitely say what will occur in the
philosophy of education in coming
years; but reviewing the past, we
can almost assuredly say that the
progress will i be great. New prob-
lems will arise, but will be con-
quered; forces of evil will attack
the minds of the growing popula-
tion, but they, too, will suffer only
defeat. The rising tide of com-
munism, which has partially infil-
trated the schools, will have to be
„dealt with, but right will always
triumph. The responsibility rests
on us, the graduating seniors of
1954, as we take our place in life,
but we will not falter as we as-
cend the ambitions of a perfect
democracy. In realizing our goal,
let us always be reminded that
education is the basis of a com-
plete life and recall Lamar’s pas-
sage: “The cultivated mind is the
guardian genius of Democracy.”
-o-
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EDUCATION, A PREPARATION
By Veda Pinkerton
A common definition of educa-
tion is: it denotes an attempt on
the part of the adult members of
a human society to shape the de-
velopment of the coming genera-
tions in accordance with its own
ideals of life.
From the first through the
twelfth grade, the attitude and
personality of an individual is de-
veloped. Through these traits the
personality is to descend upon the
outside world, whether it be for
further education in college or a
chosen vocation. In either field;
he has developed traits in school
that will either advance or hinder
him.
There is not one successful phase
of life that does not include people.
Through the efforts and skills of
a student he learns to associate
and meet the different types of
people. With each contact, the in-
dividual forms his own personality
with which he is known by in
every aspect of life.
The door is swung open to all
who wish to participate in educa-
tion. It is not altogether a good
grade that counts, but the way in
which a student prepares himself
for all the various activities that
concern the school such as athle-
tics, clubs, social functions, and
competition in shool work. The
student gains a sense of security
and feeling of self reliance. With
these teachings and background
behind him, he emerges to further
develop his talents that he has
acquired through his studies.
The molding of a character is
achieved through the individual’s
contact with other students and
teachers in school. The value of
his friends is an important factor
m this molding. The selection of
them reveals his type of person-
ahty. As he advances, his ideals
of friends may change and tend to
shape his destiny of later years.
Also, the influence of his teachers
cannot be overlooked.
The teacher may discover a par-
ticular art in which he shows
adeptness. With the guidance of
her help, he may progress more
rapidly and thus his interest for
later years may be based upon
this.
Self-reliance is brought about
through cooperation with the
teacher and fellow students. This
is achieved^ by the general atti-
ture m which he expressed him-
self in word or deed. His ability
to create strong and forceful mean-
ing to his works may prove that
he is a reliable, efficient worker-
dependent upon his own true cap-
ability to move toward success.
The advancement depends on the
willingness and eagerness of the
student to enrich his life with
education. It is developed thorough-
ly each step of a way by a slow
careful plan. The advancement is
not only shown through his studies
but the way in which he conducts
himself in the classroom and on
the playground. His actions and
words show this better than a re-
port card. In high school, this is
shown by his active participation
m functions and the general at- ■
titude in which the students re-
gard him. Advancement is a pro-*
cess to teach the student to realize
his own assets. It is not up to the
teachers to push him forward, but
he himself.
The different organizations and
functions in school make a versa-
tile and interesting person. This
prepares the individual to meet the
necessary challenges which he will
encounter upon entering college or
earning a salary. Certain social
and friendly obligations have to
be met, and because he has learned
by thp various activities the way
in which he should react when a
problem arises; he will know that
he has performed his best.
The first requirement for a job
is an education. No matter what
vocation is chosen, an established
and well rounded preparation is
needed. Certain courses are.offered
in high school for a specific rea-
son. It is to ffach him the funda-
mentals of a subject. After they
are learned, the true meaning be-
hind it is discovered and are
pointed out. It is up to the in-
dividual to consume the needed in-
formation, delve into it, and thus
have a solid background. A job
does not require just skill alone.
The individual s personality enters
in this stage. With his many char-
acteristics by which he was known
in high school, is also to be shown
in his job.
The preparation needed for col-
lege is a solid high school educa-
tion. He has prepared himself by
developing his traits. The knowl-
edge he has attained will be the
basic steps for a higher learning.
The national interests of a peo*
pie are best promoted by an edu-
cated world. It is up to each and
every person to have a quantity of
this education. By having it our
profits will be brought back to us
a thousand times richer. Our social
heritage is transmitted by the
very way in which we bring up
our children. But We are gradually
moving toward a more progressive
nation by free education.
For without it, we are as a blind
man is, blindly groping his way
through the dark, fearing to walk
a step because we do not know
what may lay ahead.
Yes, education, is the inner light
toward democracy. “For it matters
not how a man dies, but how he
lives.”
The ability to be a leader may
be discovered when he is very
young. The qualities of a leader
are: being able to treat each per-
son as though he were his special
friend, the art of swaying people
to his way of thinking, a stern,
unselfish devotion to the deed he
is to accomplish, and above all, the
ability to be friendly. This leader- |
ship can be a preparation to lead
him to the higher standards of life.
EDUCATION, A HOPE
Arturo B. Martinez, Jr.
There are many things which
nelp to enrich a person’s life. Edu-
cation not only enriches life, but
also helps to better it. Education
cannot be bought or sold. It can-
not be stolen or taken away. A
person may be deprived of all his
earthly possessions, but he can
never be deprived of his greatest
asset—education. Neither can a
person give his education away,
but he can give enough of it to
enrich a million minds.
Education brings out the hidden
qualities in a person. Joseph Addi-
son once said, “A human soul
without education, like marble in
the quarry, shows none of its in-
herent ^ beauties, till the skill of
the polisher fetches out the colors.”
Education develops character and
trains the mind. It opens up a
marvelous new world of people and
things. An educated person knows
how to act, especially in emer-
gencies; but the ignorant person
is like a ship at sea without ai
rudder or sense of direction.
Education is more than learning; '
® ^ of life which betters
the lot of the individual. An edu-
cated person is better equipped to
ake his place in community life
because: he can advance further in
his choseA work, he is at ease
with all kinds of people, and he
TalaT6 “kely ‘° eam 3 EOOd
Education also raises the stan-
dard of national life, trains leaders
for service in church and in gov-
ernment, and teaches men their
duties to the nation, to each other,
and to themselves.
There are several things which
distinguish the educated person.
One characteristic 0f the educated
Person is that he is alway open
minded. He never laughs at new
ideas. His mind is always open to
new ideas and new things He al-
ways weighs everything carefully
before making a decision.
wtn eclucated Pers°n is congenial.
When dealing with others, he is
tactful and considerate. He re-
spects the beliefs of others, but
he has a firm conviction in his
own beliefs and is ready to uphold
them.
The educated person is a lover
of beauty. Education teaches us a
love for the beautiful things
which enrich one’s life and give it
deeper and more significant mean-
Above all, an educated persdn is
always willing to learn more for
he knows his own ignorance. No-
body c^n ever hope to learn every-
thing in the world, for to become
a man of learning is the enterprise
of a lifetime.
The very first education that
one receives/ is in the home. For it
is here that the character of a
child is laboriously molded. The
basic foundation for a good edu-
cation is laid in the home. The
type of training that one receives
in the home is an important factor
in determining the type of charac-
ter that one wiy have in future
years. It is here that one first
starts to distinguish between good
and evil. It is also in the home
where we experience the first of
many disappointments that we
sometimes receive in life. The edu-
cation that one receives in the
home is priceless, for it forms the
very basis of our character in fu-
ture years.
Religion forms the very basis for
the educated person. For religion
constitutes the pattern for the per-
fect life. If we try to follow that
pattern, we will improve ourselves,
the nation, and the world. Religion
instills in us the value of honest
living by teaching us the impor-
tance of moral ideals. It teaches us
the importance of applying moral
ideals to everyday life. By using
moral ideals, we would improve
this world by having better citi-
I and it is only through an enlight-
ened public opinion that the per-
manency and success of a democ-
racy are possible. The more uni-
versally educated the people are,
the less need there is for restraint;
and the greater is the check
against corruption or unwise legis-
lation by government officials.’
Education has been an important
factor in influencing our national
development, our institutions, ha-
bits, ideals, efficiency, and general
mental attitude. National life as
a whole could hardly be enriched
to any great extent except through
education. The national character
can be best formed through educa-
tion because it has for its aim the
promotion of the educational and
moral development of the people.
The national well-being is pro-
moted by education because it
leads to greater economic effici-
ency and greater national wealth.
Industry is stimulated because edu-
cation awakens the desire for more
and better goods. Discoveries and
inventions are also promoted by
education. It leads to greater social
efficiency because it reduces crime
and turns thoughts in the direction
of social service.
Education keeps society moving
toward progress. The old frontier
of free land is gone, but education
develops new frontiers of opportun-
ity. It gives man the chance to
improve his way of life and the
way of life of others.
Man’s curiosity about things he
does not see has led him to invent
Man'in his Ions
religion promotes betters under-
standing between men by advocat-
ing justice, peace, lovef brother-
hood, and cooperation among men.
In recent years as our civilization
has become more complex, the de-
mand fqr educated persons in the
business world has greatly in-
creased, yet this demand is not
being adequately fulfilled
There is nG field of human ac-
tivity in which the ideals 0f educa-
tion are 0f more value’ than in
business. Educated persons are ne-
cessary in order to run a business.
Without educated persons, the
complex business world of todav
would entirely fail to function.
Education helps to develop a
sense of duty, right, and honor.
worid , “°re in this
by e™™ation.1Ch 3re br0"^ about
Education is instrumental for
craticr°aov fUnctionin^ °f a demo-
cratic government. Democracy is a
Political system, but it is also a
ZVL!fte- ? means
If IL respect for others,
f S1les an e(2ual and a fair chance
respect inStills in us a
respect for orderly procedure It
Promote, a wholesome attitude t“
democratic government. Ed-
Sd°fhemre!feS UP°n thG Public
uund tl)e freedoms enjoyed under
Sea,00 '°rmS Praxes
senttal to° d Pe°Pte is es‘
tosk f° ^emo/racy because the
basis of free institution in any
hat,on is the intelligence and In-
tegrity of its Citizens. Our gov-
ernment is based on public opinion,
climb to better ways of living, has
also made many social discoveries.
Ona quality that has helped to
preserve man’s intellectual curio-
sity is his quality of never being
satisfied. A new desire appears as
soon as the old one is met. Civili-
zation grew and grew because of
man’s constant desire for improve-
ment. If we are content with our
present liimted knowledge, the
world will never feel, to any great
extent, our influence for the bet-
ter. The ever \ advancing tide of
humanity will soon have left us in
obscurity.
The hopes of this generation are
many. We are placing our trust
in education to bring these hopes
about. At the present time we are
optimistic and think that these
liopes can be achieved.
One of our hopes is that the
benefits of education will be spread
to less fortunate peoples. This, we
hope, will bring about a better un-
derstanding between men. At pre-
sent, this goal seems far fetched;
but we may someday achieve it.
We also hope that education will
continue to train people who will
continue to improve and perfect
this earth.
We also hope that education will
teach everyone to enjoy life and
be happy in this world.
Words cannot describe the pow-
erful influence of education. In-
significant as it may seem, the lit-
tle, red schoolhouse has enriched
and bettered the life of..the indi-
vidual, the nation, and the world.
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Olson and
daughters have moved to the old
Neff home on Missouri.
Tips on calling LONG DISTANCE
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The Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 22, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 3, 1954, newspaper, June 3, 1954; Mercedes, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1072826/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library.