The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-21
Something of President Og-
den, the Moving Spirit.
NORTH OUGHT TO HELP EDUCATE NEGRO
DR.. Parkhurst Would Welcome Con
ference of Southern Men up North
to Help Lift the North Out of
It's Serious Problems.
Especial to News and observer.)

Especial to News and Observer0
Winston Salem, N. c., April 20
Some years ago, upon visit to New
York. talking with Mr.. Walter II. Page,
about the imperfect knowledge, or the
ignorance of Northern people of educa-
ton about the South, Mr.. Page said:
Can you tell me how we can give the
cultivated. progressive Fortherner the
truth about the South? He knows all
about South America, the topography
of the Transvaal, the possibilities OF
Alaska, but about the South he is
densely ignorant. Hcw can we reach
that sort of man? He can read Greek,
his knowledge is greater than ours, his
information more varied. and yet ne
needs missionary to tell him about
the South and how can the missionary
get his ear? 1t would do him good in
every way to know about us, and if he
knows the truth he would do the South
good. How can he be reached?'
could not answer Mr.. Page, and did
not know how to answer him until this
Educational Conference. The mission
airy to teach the Northern men the
truths about the South is Northern
man who has himself learned the truth.
The prince of such missionaries is MI.
Robert C. Ogden, of New York, who at
his own expense has brought over SIX
ty prominent. influential and wealthy
Northern men and women to TINS Con-
ference which adjourned TINS afternoon
after session embracing three Gays.
Mr.. Ogden chartered train with nve
Pullman cars, dining car. and every
convenience for ten days trip through
the South. the chief purpose being to
bring his guests to the Southern Edu
cationaI Conference. Mr.. Ogden paid
for the train himself and selected as his
guests foremost men in the various
caIlings and position of influence. He
himself has long been interested in the
education of the negro at Hampton and
is president of the board of trustees
Of that greatest institution in the world
for the education Of the negro. Many
OF his guests had been interested in
Southern educational problems. and to
these he added congenial party of men
who in the professions or in trade have
gone to the top. Bishop Doane and
Bishop McVickars represented the emf
nent divines; DR.. Lyman Abbott, DIR.
Shaw and Walter II. Page among the
representative great editors; DR.. Pea
body. DR.. McAllister. DIR, Bacchus and
others equally distinguished, represent
ed the great educators: Mr.. John ID.
Rockefeller, Jr.. MIR. Baldwin and others
represented philanthropic capitalists
That is the class of Northern men who
composed the party that came here in
Mr.. Ogden's special train. 1t was the
most distinguished body of visitors that
North Carolina has had the honor to
welcome, and all North Carolina ought
tc rejoice that it fell to the lot of the
hospitable and courteous people OF VIM
ston-Salem to do the honors of the
Commonwealth. The hospitality of the
best traditions of the South, and the
amenities of social life added to the
interest OF this most remarkable gath
ering.
Speaking of the educational needs of
the South and the plan and scope OF TINS
Conference, Mr.. Ogden said to me last
night: II cannot do great things fol
education in the way of large donations,
and / thought the best contribution
could make to the cause | have at heart
MOul0 Dc 10 lIlNII6 d VI itpIG-
sentative gentlemen to visit the South
as my guests and to take part in the
deliberations of this Conference. l have
found that when such men become in
terested they are sure to find ways OF
giving help and encouragement to those
who have devoted their lives to the
work OF education in the South
Who is the man who could conceive
and carry out so noble an undertaking
Robert c. Ogden, whose wise generosity
has made this occasion possible, is Z
business associate of John Wanamaker
one CT the great business men of Ameri-
ca Il am a shop-keeper, he said
when I addressed him as doctor, dis
claiming any title. He is a model pre-
siding officer, a genius at bringing TO-
gether the brightest men and getting
out the best that is in them for instruc-
tion and entertainment. He has bus
mess mans appreciation of the value o.
time. Things run by the watch. If
man is on the program to speak TWEEN