Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-17
T0GEORGE PEABODY.
MOVEMENT TO HAVE HIS BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATED IN THE SOUTH.
DIR. Curry Addresses Public.School Teach.
ers and Others-.To Hold Memorial IL.
ercises-A Statue Suggested.

A large audience OF ladies and gentle
men interested in education
at the Richmond High School yester-
day afternoon at $50 o'clock. TO consider
some appropriate method OF celebrating
the Tooth anniversary Of the birtAS OF
George Peabody, the eminent phiian-
thropist and generous friend OF the South,
which occurs on the 18th OF February.
1895.
Among those present were Rev. Drs.
Hoge. Curry. Cooper. and Hall. professor
f.. w. Boatwright, Hon. j. Taylor Ely
son, Major James II. Capers, Superintend-
ent William +. Fox. and a large num-
Der OF the principals and teachers OF the
public schools.
The meeting was called 10 order by SUI
perintendent Fox. and, on his notion
Hon. j. Taylor Ellyson was elected chair
man OF the meeting. Mr.. Eltyson stated
the object Of the meeting. and said: w
honor ourselves when we meet 10 10
honor TO the memory OF one VINO mas
done so much for the cause OF pubic u
cation in America. We are grained 10
have with us the Hon. DR.. Curry. VINO
holds such close official relations to the
Peabody fund, that it will give us great
| pleasure to listen to some remarks from
him."
DIR. CURRY'S ADDRESS.
DIR. Curry was cordially received. ana
In opening said: This occasion appeals
to the hearts of all who love the children
and tive cofca NJ aIuqatiDn IL IL emil
nently proper to meet and take action
looking to the celebration OF the lVJth
anniversary of the birth Of George Pea
body. No eulogy OF this distinguished
man Is necessary. His deeds nave pro-
claimed him, and he lives to-day In the
hearts Of the thousands who have en-
jOyed his muniflcence. George Peabody
was the greatest human benefactor the
South has ever had. Among all the men
and women. statesmen. lawyers. doctors.
generals. who have contributed so largely
TO the well-being of the South, there are
none who rank as high as he does. NO
country has euualled America In the num-
Der and value OF the contributions that
have been made to the cause OF educa-
ton as shown in the cases OF Yale, Har-
ward. Princeton. Colgate, and Vanderbilts
University. and others.
HE GAVE TO THE POOR.
"These gave Of their abundance to
institutions that are for those who are
able to give their children or wards an
education. But Mr.. Peabody gave to the
poor-the masses-the poverty-stricken.
and those who were unable to do for
themselves. Language Is inadequate To
the task Of describing the condition OF
the South in February. 1S67-thc poverty.
distress, hopeless, despair. that rested
like a dark cloud over the hopes and
aims and aspirations Of the people OF
the Southland. Legislation worse in bru-
tally and singing injustice than the war
itself followed. At this period Mr.. Pea
body made his muniiicent and inestima-
bic gift to the South-not TO the North.
but to the South. His sympathetic mind
took in the situation. and ne felt dntui-
lively that the future of the South de-
pended upon the development Of the
children. and he aimed to stimulate the
establishment of public schools, so as
To place education within the reach OF
every child. white and colored."
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
In 1866. Dir. Curry continued. no ade-
quate public school system existed in any
Of the Southern States. There were ex-
cellent Institutions for higher education.
and there were more college students In
the South prior 10 the war than in any
part OF the Union. Mr.. Peabody felt that
the public schools were the only means
of reaching the masses OF the South. No
system of education was sufficient to meet
the wants of the masses. except one con-
trolled by the State and supported by a
tax On the property of the State.
Mr.. Peabody said: Education Is a debt
due by the people of the present TO pos
terity.
DR.. Curry said that Mr.. Peabody gave
more than 10000 0 to the South, besides
magnificent gifts in many other direc-
tions The first dollar given in the South
from the Peabody fund was given in
Richmond. then elsewhere In the South.
aiding the schools and making 1t a condi-
ton that education should be free.
Continuing. Or. Curry said: The sue
cess of the public schools of the city of
Richmond, the proud queen city of the
South in public education. Is due largely
TO the aid given in the wise distribution Of
the Peabody fund.
The fund was established in February.
1851, and VI the proceeds of this fund
Virginia has received over $4,000, and the
distribution is still going on.
A BRONZE STATUE.
1t would be a graceful thing, the
speaker said, to remember how much we
are indebted 10 this wonderful benefactor,
and that Richmond should begin the
work. Virginia should take the lead in
Il grand commemorative act. The South
ern States, through organized, co-opera-
tive. and combined action, should raise
the money 10 put a bronze statue OF
George Peabody in the Statuary Hall OF
the Capitol, in Washington. How grand
a thing 1t would be for the school chill
dIen Of the South to put up this statue.
DR.. Curry then suggested
/. That the anniversary of his birth
G'ebruary lSth) be celebrated in all the
ercis s.
?. That by combined and concentrated
effort. we recognize our indebtedness to
this great benefactor by raising a bronze
statue TO his memory He would like To
see Richmond and Virginia lead in this
matter. and begin here in the Richmond
High School.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Mr.. Fox said that he hearty endorsed
the suggestions Of DR.. Curry. and moved
that
|. We recommend that appropriate ex-
ercises be held in all the schools of the
State on February 18th, the Tooth ami
versary Of the birth of George Peabody.
and that a committee be appointed TO
arranCe n suitable programme.
.. That we recommend the holding or
a public meeting on that day. at which
II memorial address should be delivered.
The resolutions were unanimously
ado,'ed.
PROFESSOR BOATWRIGHT.
Mr.. Boatwright said that he cordially
endorsed the purpose OF the meeting
and the action taken. and that COM
memorative services hould be held in
all the Southern States. He approved
the idea OF the children raising the fund
and placing the bronze statue in our
national Nalhalla. Mr.. Peabody, II he
were alive, would feel g%ratified to ac-
knowledge his Indebtedness TO the chill
drcn.
Mr.. Ellyson returned thanks for the
large attendance and deep interest mani
Tested, and declared the meeting ad-
journel.