The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-04-30
Conference for Education in the
South.
Report by Prof. Edmunds of the
Meeting at Athens, Ga.

Education in the South. Whlie leao-
ing men from ali parts Of this country
are members of this conference it owes
It's inspiration and maintenance to two
Southerners. DR.. J. L. NJ. Curry,
who has recently gone to Spain as
Ambassador Of the U. S. and George
Foster Peabody, the millionaire philan-
thropist. Mr.. Robt. G. Ogden man
ager Of the Wanamaker New York
store. having under him $500 en-
Dloyees, is the presiding officer of the
Conference. I have never seen his
equal as a presiding offcer-gracious
but firm, full of genuinely good
hunor, ready wit, and superior
executive ability. Once each year he
brings his party with him from the
Nor5h-seventy-fve or eighty persons
Of more than ordinary ability. Many
Of them very busy business men; !;
some of them celebrities. The pur-
pose of the conference is purely disin-
terested. Those of the North who are
members of the conference realize that
they have been spending their money
iniudieiously and one Of their objects
is TO ascertain by consulting those
who are supposed to know, so that
they may not hereafter distribute
their funds to unworthy persons. But
the giving of money is not by any
means the only object of the confer
ence; but it. hopes by agitation to
awaken a thorough interest N educa-
ton, creating thus a spirit that will
demand liberal support of the public
schools. The purposes of the confer
ence may be more clearly shown by
quoting part of Mr.. Ogden's opening
address:
He declared that the purpose of the
conference was to confer and discuss
the cause of education for all the peo-
ple, and see how the members, as citi-
zens Of tine common republic, can help
anv part of the country that needs
help.
The only return that the conference
can make for the generous hospitality
Of the people of Athens is to thank
Shem as individuals and as a body to
baln forward the cause Of education,
TO open the eyes of ignorance and to
carry the blessing of intelligence to
all the people of our beloved country.
If this conference reaches it's best
and highest usefulness it must be
through self sacrifice. It exists for
holy canse and is expressed in a single
dogma. that every child in this broad
land possesses the natural right to an
English education.
This right should be made secure IN
such manner that intelligent citizen
ship will become universal posi-
bility.
Mn. Ogden declared that the person
mel of the conference was quite cosmo-
pol;tan. there being governors,
authors, bankers, merchants, lawyers,
who have laid aside their work for
time to help in this great cause, and
also noble women, the crowning grace
Of the conference, who have put away
the duties of home to lend their assist
ance.
he declared that duty grows with
prosperity and blessing, and that the
tie of human brotherhood was the
binding force of this conference, which
was in every sense the band of rope.
He expressed the hope that this con-
ference would be dynamic force for
popular educational uplift.
Mr.. Ogden then went into a
review of the work of the conference
in which he paid high tribute to Dr..
j.. L. NJ. Curry, now absent on his
wav to Spain to attend the coronation
of the king.
The principal object of the confer
ence was declared to be the uplifting
of the rural schools. that the confer
ence was not concerned with profes-
sional education.
He declared that it was the desire Of
the p6rthern members to help to carry
eae~ burden, too heavy to be borne by
some localities in the country, and
that the active work should be done
through men born on the soil of the
south.
E6rcation for all, well-equipped
81 "oi r1ses, competent teachers and
an mentbs school in every school
cis.rie,s was the demand Of this con-
ference. The road might be long,
some of the present workers might
fall by the way before the end could
be reached, but it can be reached and
it will be reached, if the members of
the conference are faithful.