Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-07

Us 10 90 III T6EuGIH 10 SIiISl Iiie1
ton. and agreed to do it We secured
entertainments witflout cost. IN the homes
of our people for something over 800 guests,
arranging for few at the hotels Cat the
expense of the Local Committee of Ar
rangements). To defray expenses we re-
quired a fund of about s500.r which was
easily raised from our citizens. This was
practically all the conference cost us
think it was the best investment our
town has ever made; for. outside of the
delightful social features. which were
charming in almost every instance. am
happy to say that the conference was as
much pleased with us as we were with
them, and they have manifested IN
marked degree their approval Of some OF
the needs of our educational institutions.
which were presented to them and inves-
tigated by them. Their donations when
they found the causes worthy. were most
generous. and no one living to-day can
tell what the splendid results OF that
conference are likely to be- not to our city
only, but to our State, and to the whole
South.
I would advise you. without the slight
est hesitation, to do all that you can to
secure the coming of that conference to
Richmond They are, in d few words. d
body of magnificent men and women en-
gagged in a magnificent work. and it is
our good fortune that their attention has
been drawn in this direction.
It is a most refreshing revelation to find
men and women whose hearts and lives
seem to be absorbed in the unselfish pur.
pose of helping others
You will find number of the foremost
men of the nation, in commerce, in fl
nance. and in letters, connected with
this organization. giving their time and
their means to this work.
hope you will secure them for Rich
mond.
If I can be of any further assistance to
YOU let me know and will take pleasure
in rendering you the service.
Yours very respectfully.
E. r. IIODGSON.
Athens, Ga, October p. 1902.
State Normal School. Athens. Ga. Octo-
Der 81, 1902
Mrs. 3. B. Valentine, Richmond. Va:
Dear Mrs. VaIentine.-It is pleasure to
state the benefits of various sorts result
ing from the meeting of the Southern
educational Conference here in April last.
In the first place, a very large number
# influential people in Georgia were en-
rely out OF sympathy with this move
ment. and looked upon this Southern Ed
ucational Conference with suspicion These
people were misunderstood, but this IN
derstanding was rather to the credit of a
people who had not been accustomed to
being patronized, and who scorn the
spirit of mendicancy. However, the mani
fest spirit of Christian helpfulness exhi-
bited by our good friends from the North.
their evident desire to see things from the
Southern standpoint and to be ruled in
their 5enefaCtions by an intelligent South
ern view Of races and problems. their mod
esty and open mindedness, brought about
Il condition of mutual understanding which
was absolutely necessary to the accom-
plishment of good.
In the second place. the school officials
in the various counties who were most
opposed to the movement. have. without
exception. realized this spirit of Christian
concern on the part of these people: and
consider that this conference will eventu-
ally accomplish what the politicians have
never been able to do; namely, bring about
a spirit of good will between the sections.
In the third place, the negroes them
selves have at last realized that their
education is going to have to be such
education as will fit them to live along
side Southern white people; and following
the policy OF the Southern Education
Board, that the money they receive will
be expended according to the notions OF
Southern white men
In the fourth place, Il sauer kind Of
educa ton is going to come about for the
whites and blacks alike. II we are to
keep step with the forward movement of
things we are going to be obliged to
venture upon multiform education The
old classic ideals were good. and will not
be Abandoned: but new ideals of educa-
ton for elementary schools and colleges
are being. stressed Just now by this con-
ference, and the time is most propitiouS
All these better educational ideas were
entertained years ago by Thoreau in the
first pages of Walden, by William Ellery
Charming in his essay on Culture, by
General Armstrong at Hampton, and by
Ben Hill and Bishop Haygood, of Georgia.
The campaigning of these ideals by the
Southern Educational Conference. is ap-
pealing to the masses in Georgia with
wonderful directness and force. Nature
Study, Elementary Agriculture. the handi-
crafts, school libraries, school gardens,
and technical education of every sort have
received most tremendous emphasis
and impetus in Georgia because of the
conference last April in Athens. The gem
eral public is in a state of receptivity
and we are having to struggle less dis
couragingly in all these directions
The greatest benefit we received was In
no wise the gift of money; but the touch
Of tonic, quickening and inspiring COM
radsflip When busy business men with
tremendous business interests are Will
ing to leave their desks and spend pre-
cious time in the South once year. upon
a mission OF utterly disinterested sort,
then publicists and busy men In the South
become ready to turn aside from business
and take up fundamental problems OF ed
ucation.
Our homes were freely opened to these
people Our city has never had lovelier
guests, and the recollection of their visit
to us is one of the pleasant things that
fingers in the homes OF our city should
like nightly to see the conference con-
vene in Richmond
With best wishes, l am.
Very respectfully yours.
Z