Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-23

order.
DOUGLAS E. TAYLOR,
no 2S-1t No. Ills East Main Street.
than formerly that Il Is difficult to reach
public opinion because the public Will
not listen. 1t becomes clearer each day
that the public will be forced to take up
nteligently the great problems which are
being forced upon it by reason of the
larger interests that affect 1t. And We
see more clearly each day that these great
questions must be settled only through
an Intelligent understanding. 1s It not
Of the most vital importance that such
opinions should be enlightened and that
those who must determine them should
re competent to think intelligently? Can
We, as business men, afford to permit
single child to grow up In ignorance
when responsibilities of such constant i'm
portance to the economic and political
welfare ar placed upon us?
A PROBLEM IN THE NORTH.
The Northern States have had prob
ienl quite as difficult as yours. In the
last thirty years twelve and half mil
Lon foreigners have settled in the States
north of the Mason and Dixon's Line an
immigration equal to two-thlrds the tota!
population of the Southern States. 1t has
been the constant fear OF many during
all that time that this great influx Of
people poor and illfterate to large de-
gree. would imperil our, institutions. but
something has made 1t possible for, US
to absorb this population and 10 assins-
late It. I believe that our safety has been
in the public school systems OF the North
Whenever rev town has been started In
the West. the first buildings erected have
always been the school-house and the
p1ir toc hLcr
opened In the coal region the first build,
ings have been the school house and the
church. No real estate man would ex-
pect to lie able to settle up his land and
no business man would expect to conduct
a lar-e business without first supplying
these two most important institutions.
In the city Of New York there Is an
annual increo Sc in the demand for seats
In public schools for 25coo children If the
demand is not supplied Immediately the
political party in power suffers IT is con
sidered essential TO the safety Of the gov
eminent that every child should be taught
in the public schools, and every child Is
obliged to go under compulsory laws. 1t
is interesting to note that the ignorant
immigrant believes that the first requi-
site CT success is to send his children TO
the public schools. He believes 1t TO be
good business. 1t IS an obvious conclu-
sion from all statistics and observat ton
that where the public school hourlshes
economic development follows. and am
forced to the CONCLUSION that with In
creased and better school facilities the
South will prosper In just that proper
ton. The public school is the first sol
vent TO be used in the analysis of human
possibilities.
The Hon. Michael Sadler. the commits
sioner Of education of London, England.
whose principal duty is to study educa-
tionaI methods in all foreign countries
and to care for the education In the col.
oniee, spent some months in the United
States this year. He made very care
full study of the educational work in the
South. He visited normal schools and
and colleges of both races. On ms return
to New York he told me that he consider
ed the educational work now going on
in the South the most important work ne.
ing done in the world. that 1t is not local
in importance, nor even national. but IN
terna tIonal. and he said further that the
solution of the problem which was being
worked out In such wonderful manner
BY the Southern people would serve as
l.usis for other countries in the solution OF
their problem at home and In the col
onies.
This was not the word of an enthusiast.
but the deliberate scientific conclusion
of one OF the greatest educators in the
world, one who has opportunity for the
broadcast vision. That Is the great op-
nortunity that we in the South have te-
fore us. and It is an opportunity which
in the working out will make great men
and great women. and will develop the
character Of your people. Not only will
Won profit and prosper from the positive
work done, and the direct results obtain
ed (for every dollar invested in education
pays compound intercst}. but the SUBJ
iective influence upon society which Will
follow from the helping OF others who
cannot help themselves unassisted will
be most marked. Nowhere IN TINS coun-
try OF ours Is there purer American
spirit than right here In the South-a spr-
it and pride that have been tested to tho
extreme, and have grown stronger by
meeting peris. What may be the result
now that the men and women OF the
South have made common cause to night
Ignorance and illiteracy? 1t will be "a
long. hard fight. but there can De no de-
feat. The fruits Of victory will be. bet
ter homes for the poor. the light Of hope
IN the eyes Of the child and highly de-
veloped economic and political organi.a-
ton of society. Our representatives who
serve the State viii! stand on the only
platform which has secure foundatio
the free public school for every child.
They Will urge tR2auoN ais .os,S. inv -. ~
provide the necessary m cans for the pub
lie school. They will brave enough to
say that the poorer and more ignorant
the community, the more need Tor educa-
ton Tor sacrifice and for taxation. and
the mothers and fathers from the hills
TO the iowlands will support them in their
position. .sss
PRIZES FOR PUPILS.
Annual membership In the Rosemary
Library have been offered to High School
carrying the highest hsnoFs IN
re past sraduAts and commercial courses.