The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-29
OLD AND NEW SOUTH
Discussed From an Educational
Standpoint at Memphis

Standpoint at Memphis
Memphis, Tenn. Dec. 29.-The Southern
Educational association will conclude its
labors today and the most successful con-
Vention in its history ended at this morn
perintendent of public instruction of Ala
bama. delivered eloquent address on
south
There are people who. object to the
terms Old South and New South. but
Ihere was an oId south and there Is "a
new south. There was a south OF aristo-
craey and bondage That south which
was bounded by sectional lines once trac-
ed in fratricidal blood. no longer exists
not h4 rscs Hn It If # %e e9m eoG2 nd @ rejoice %99 9Rs
it no longer lives save on the page OF his
indus triOus, progressive. prOsper0us-a
new south-the fairest region on the globe
Americans and the admiration Of the
EOf the educational conditions that ex-
1Sted IN the old south, Few people have n
correct knOw1edge- It is generally thought
that We have always occupied in educst-
tiOnal matters a cOnSpicuOusly subOrdl-
nate position when compared with that
section of the country commonly called
the north. but this is an erroneous notion
respectfully is it untrue in reference to
1.-THE old south neglected technical skill
advancement has been made in that direc
ton Industrial training has been given
a place in many institutions public. pri-
vate and denOminationaL Special appro-
pr1aiOnS are made for the purpose of es-
tablishtng and maintaining technical
England. Germany, Switzerland and other
countries furnishes conclusive proof that
it is American necessity. The old
south did not awaken to a realization OF
the truth that industrial trades are as re-
spectacle S a business and professional
callings; that the one requires as high q
degree of ability as the other and thar.
If as individuals or as a people. We
would surpass our competitors in
sIkiIi sIkiii ullSss We must possess super Tor
skill The new south stands for that doc
trfne and realizes that an education ~
the eye TO see, a training OF the hand 70
do teaching of the mind to think. n
discipline of the will to execute is abso-
in this age of industrial development-
In the matter OF common school edu-
with the north. Since the war in no re-
rapid and more remarkable than in the
development Of common school system
PenSe. IS now a Wen eStaDllshed southern
doctrine Common school systems have
been established in every southern state
Notwithstanding almost all the taxes are
paid by the whites liberal approuria-
for the education Of all the children with
out regard, to race. color, or previous
amount Of money expended FOR e,lr,ce.7 s
tional purposes was Sl1.25O. 900 or s. cents
amount was s21. 10000 or IS cents per cap
tia: in 1897, the amount was $1,000 0l0 or
invested in school property has Increased
more than 300 per cent. and il IS esti-
vested in such property.
"A menace to society. an obstacle TO
the adversary of sectional reconciliation.
arises the race problem and casts "a shad-
OW of gloom over the fairesE domain ON
this earth From The poTticoes oe high
heaven. angels of peace and love watch
with fear and trembling the process ~
the solution of this most important prob
lem. We realize that a correct solution
Of the race problem lies in a proper edu-
cation Of the people-an the people: and
we are taxing ourselves heavily for ths
purpose of free popular education
THE progress which the new south ia
making in educational affairs Is rapid ard
marvellous as thar which she is making
along Industrial ana numerical lines
Dr. j H Kirkland. Vanderbilt Uni
verstty, Nashville: Or. r A. Alderman
president university Of North Carolina.
Hon. S. G.. Gnbreath. university OF s-ash-
vile. were among the other speaker
Miss Patty Hul Of Louisville was elect
ed president of the kindergarten depart
ment.
OFFICERS. were elected for the ensuing
year follows.
President, DR.. r. b Fulton university
Of Mississippi; vice president. Dr. J,1niu.s
Jordan university Of Arkansas; secretary
p P Claxton, Greensboro Tenn treas
urer, John D Irby, Mobile Ala