The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-04
MAYORS TALK 70 sCHooT. GIRLS
Annual Address Before the OgIe-
thorpe Seminary.


The annual address before the pupils
and patrons of Oglethorpe Seminary at
tracted a large number of the friends of
the institution last night.
The occasion of the annual address just
prior to the commencement season is al
ways one of note and when it was an
nounced that the address this year would
be delivered by Hon. Peter w. Meidrim
there was particular interest in the event
attested by the large number of people
present.
To-day the final examinations will be
held and the members of the Scott Lit
erary Society will hold their final session.
These exercises viii be full of interest,
and the regular commencement exercises,
which viii take place Monday at noon
will, no doubt, attract a large number of
the patrons and friends of the school.
Mrs. L. G.. Young, principal of the
school, has reason to be congratulated
upon the successful years work and upon
the excellent things which are planned
for the commencement.
The address by Mayor Meldrim was time
ly and well put, and the sentiments were
loudly applauded The subject was ma
tional Education"-in the education of
children rests the safety Of the republic.
Along this line of thought the speaker
presented many striking lessons, and
evolved from the general subject a most
interesting address.
Among other things he said:
II insist that the supreme law, that of
the safety of the republic, demands that
the state should educate her children,
male and female. The woman is to-day
a bread winner, and she should be so
equipped that she may use her talents to
the best advantage on any and every
field of human endeavor. We must not de-
lude ourselves into thinking that the il
literacy of Georgia is due solely to the
negro. Nearly 16 per cent. Of our white
population is illiterate, while in the COM
paratively new state of Iowa there is less
than g per cent. of Aliteracy, and in Kan
sas less than 4 per cent. Forty states of
the union reach higher than Georgia and
only about three are lower in the scale
of illiteracy. Illiteracy necessarily begets
pauperism and crime. Not one out of
twenty of our white convicts can read;
not one out of fifty of the blacks. The
question as to the effect OF education up
on crime and pauperism is no longer an
open one. A people that will close their
eyes to the results of education as reach
ed in other countries, will open them some
day to see the free institutions of Amer
lea crumbling into ashes and the flames
of anarchy destroying their very homes.
the vital principle of this country is
the consent Of the governed of course,
the Intelligent consent of the governed
In 1776 we numbered 3,5O0,OOO people. At
the opening of the next century, II is
estimated that we shall number 100000
OOO What restraining power Is there in
the state or federal government? Con-
stitutiOns and laws have no inherent re-
strainng force. Let me show you on
how slight a foundation the peace, good
order and dignity of Georgia rest. In
1880 the census gave illiterate voters
White .......................... 28'5n
Colored
Total ......................... ,0a
"In a general election, the vote was
1s2,3jO. How potent for evil are $4,000
illiterate voters.
1--WE are accustomed to rely upon the
good sense of the American people as a
protection against anarchy, and have been
taught to believe that as the great mass
OF our citizens do not live I'm crowded
cities, but are engaged in agricultural pur-
suits, that they may be safely trusted 20
oppose BY their conservative influence, the
false doctrines OF socialism. My friends,
owing to inferior advantages afforded In
the country for the education Of the chill
dren. farms are being deserted and the
urban population was 100; In 1880 a was
one-thlrd OF the whole. What Is the re-
sult-a fearful and terrible overcrowdlng.
Grant that the life on the ordinary farm
Is a dreary drudgery; yet what Is II that
makes II so dreary2 The want Of educa-
tlonl There Is no companionship 80 true
as that OF books. They are the most
faithful Of friends. They cheer you In the
darkest night"
"a few good men and better women are
earnestly seeking TO educate our children.
They should be supported In their en-
deavor The advantages TO be derived
from the education Of our sons and daugh-
ters az home cannot be overestlmated,
aud on this occasion trust that / may be
permitted 70 direct your attention more
especially to the education OF our daugh-
ters. II would be interesting to review
the changed and changing condition OF
woman, from a state Of legal nonentity
and slavery TO social, loyal and political
freedom. The transition has not been uni.
form or continuous. and her status Is not
the same In every civilized country nor
even the same In the several states Of tho
American union. only twelve OF these
states exclude women from a voice In
school matters, aud Ia three states they