The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-15
Mr.. RAGSDALE'S ADDRESS
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
ENGLISH LITERATURE
PROF. JOYNER MAKES A STRONG SPEECH
Much Interest Manifested in fridays Boat
Races. The Program Of Work for To-
Day. The Interest in the
Session Grows.

cial.)-Friday is to be a great day here
A boat race has been arranged between
the sharpies of Beaufort and Moreheat
City. The course of the sailing has beer
mapped out, the entries have been made
and all lovers of good sailing are look
ing forward with great intarest to The
contest. 1t is wonderful how everybody
is interested in any contest-frOm {
game Of quoits to presidential cleo
ton, and how universal it is for every
body to takes Sides The favOrites are
already beginning to say II will bet OF
this or that boat" and by Friday, wher
the start is made, the interest will be-
deep.
The Teachers Assembly opened today
with devotional exercises by DIR. Din
widdie, Of Raleigh. The report on course
in English literature, prepared by Prof
Edwin Minis, was read by Prof. ).
Joyner, who made an able speech III
support of the elaborate address up
holding the old curriculum. The inter
esting discussion was also participated
in by Miss billiard, of Oxford, and
Capt. G. h. benson. of Raleigh. Prof
]. /. Foust. of Goldsboro, read an eX
eellent paper on Graded Schools III
North Carolina. In the afternoon the
boatmen gave a complimentary sail.
PRES. RAGSDALE'S ADDRESS.
Prof. w. II. Ragstiale. president of
the Assembly and principal of the Male
Academy at Greenville. one Of the
States best schools, delivered the an,
nual address to the Assembly. Presi-
dent Ragsdale is one of tine best edrca-
tors of the South and his address was
scolarly, thoughtful and practical.
Prof. Ragsdale said in part:
II congratulate you that you have met
in this sixteenth annual session, under
such favorable auspices. Great meetings
have been held at Waynesville. Black
Mountain, and Asheville. but it is here
that we have most often met. Here
some of the largest and most enthusiast
tic meetings have been held and it is
here. above all other places in the State.
that nature has done more to make it
an ideal place for the tired and care
worn teacher to combine pleasure, recre-
alton and recuperation with the work
Of this Assembly.
From here we ought to gather new
inspiration for our future labors. i
believe / state a self-evident truth to-
night when / affirm that condition
confronts us at this meeting OF the As
sembly which has never before pre-
scented itself, and which demands a
forward movement that We have not
taken before in the educational inter-
est of the State. The agitation along
educational lines for the past few years
has brought about such condition
that no institution. no educational or
ganization can live without progress.
To stand still means to be left in the
race. and finally to cease to exist ]
repeat that it is a matter OF congratii-
lation that lin these changed conditions
we meet under such favorable auspices.
There is nothing of which i am aware
to cause even the slightest discordant
note in this meeting of the Assembly.
There is growing tendency towards
harmony in all educational work. and
among all the educational forces in the
State.
..The discussion of educational prob
lens in North Carolina Is producing
a silent revolutions: a universal change
is coming over the spirit Of the people,
and those who are familiar only with
the more obvious phenomena. exhibited
alone on the surface, have no idea of
the leayen that lis working beneath.
Comparing ourselves with ourselves. we
have done much. We have made long
strides forward We seem. too, 10
have just reached the beginning OF 4
wonderful progress. 1t is true, how
ever. that we still stand far below the
proud heights to which it was intend
ed that we should attain. and which
have nearly been reached by other
States and countries, with the deep
interest which now pervades every nook
and corner i'm North Carolina along
educational lines, and with the new
life which seems about to perneate all
our efforts in this direction. / have
thought it not inappropriate that /
should address YOU tonight upon the
subject of expansion or non-expansiOn.
Internationally. Which?
POLITICALLY this question is the ques-
ton Of all questions. 1t may be That
this new policy for America. which
means unlimited expansion OF territory
and possessions was born and inaugu-
rated when on that eventful day. May
1st, the feet of the now world wide
distinguished Admiral Dewey sailed
into Manila Bay and almost in the
twinkling Of an eye utterly destroyed
the Spanish fleet of the Pacific squad
ron. 1t may not be thar this policy
was further strengthened and determ-
med upon when our gallant Bagley gave
his young life at Cardenas for the
glory of the cause.
What influence recent evenrs may
have upon our national policy we may
not know, but there can be no doubt
as to what late developments in cill-
cation I'm North Carolina Indicate. There
can be no installing as the States poi
icy in respect to every department IF
education. Expansion. wide, deep, last
ing, expansion educationally, is now
demanded, is borne upon every breeze,
and is echoed from every village, ham
let and country home.
II am glad this is true. I am tired,