The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-11
The AssembIy's Opening
Session.
CONTINUED from Page One

teen years bear the names of those who
have led the educational movements of
the commonwealth. Upon this forum,
discussion, frank and free has harmon
lied and united discordant elements; sug-
gested better methods of procedure
broadened the vision. shown the neces-
sity of unity in our educational effort,
and contributed in no small degree to the
State wide enthusiasm that fills the open
ing years of the new century with such
hope and splendid promise
Our people look in large measure to
this assembly for educational policies,
definite plans of action, and inspiring
ideals. Whatever of liberality and
craftsmanship. nave entered into our in
tellectual life have found freest express
sion here; here in annual gatherings have
been forged those like of interest and
sympathy have bound together in one
united effort educationally the teachers
and educators of North Carolina as they
are. perhaps. united in no other State of
this American Union
This Assembly has risen to the mag
nitude of its largest possible conception
the education of all the people of the
commonwealth Nothing smaller or
narrower fills it's vision. It's continual
battle cry growing stronger year after
year is, universal education for all the
people of this American State, irrespec-
tive of race, color. or creed.
'The educational year just closing will
long be remembered for its larger plans;
actual achievements, and reasonable
hopes for greater future. A new i'm
petus has been given to the matter Of
local taxation; improving and beautify-
ing our public school houses; charging
rural Districts securing better school
supervision, and obtaining better quail
fed teachers. These problems have not
been solved, but they are engaging our
attention as never before, and never was
discussion as serious and general as to
the States duty to each of it's children.
What we are pleased to call our Edu-
cational Revival is not a spasmodie out
burst of enthusiasm. but the fruition of
long years of agitation and preparation.
1t will not lose its momentum until some
OF the blessed results long prophesied
shall have been realized. North Caro-
lima looks to this Assembly to lead wise
~ the many forces now available; 600 600
school children turn to us for light and
leadership; one-fifth of our white popu-
laticn still in illiteracy marks the failure
of past attempts; the Indifference to
present advantages resulting in the
miserably poor attendance upon our pub
lie schools calls for serious thought The
5000 teachers in North Carolina will
look to this Assemblys work this week
as the index to future efforts.
within score of years we have had
little less than q revolution in educa-
tional circles. High expectations are
aroused on every side. There is no more
serious problem confronting us than that
of supplying to the State such teachers
as shall lead the way in wisdom to the
largest possible results.
Never have we the teachers of North
Carolina. had greater reason to cherish
>. bi&h hopes.
g The world rolls into light,
1t is daybreak everywhere.
"Ours, the glorious mission to contri
butte our part to a great States advance
ment; to furnish those who in mine, in
mart in field. in forest, and in the halls
of high intellectual endeavor, shall bring
Tenowp to the commonwealth in this
strange new day of high purpose and
daring achievement.
Northern philanthropy seeing the
grave problem which we have faced alone
ard single-handed for a generation is
reaching out in helpful spirit. Our State
Officials, moved by the mandate of con-
stitUtional enactment, are stirring the
people to be ready for. the changes OF
1905. Our quickening industrial life and
spirit of home development call for cap
tains OF industry and masters of indus
trial activity to guide our multitudes of
home enterprises now springing UP on
every side. No good thing is so cheap
as education. Applied knowledge is the
mighticst force of the centuries. If in
this Southland cotton has been king, let
us proclaim that mind-cultvated, train
cd mind-shall be king, and WELD a royal
sceDtCr.
Again in behalf of the teachers OF
North Carolina 1 thank you for your
words of cordial welcome"
This response formerly opened the as
scmbly for 1902. and after the applause,
which greeted DR.. Whitsett's eloquent
remal KS had died away, DR.. Geo. IT,
Winston, president of the A. e. NJ. Col
lego, was introduced. His appearance
was greeted with a round of applause,
and after a felicitious greeting to his
hearers he spoke on "A Quarter Century
or Education in North Carolina" making
rs his basis our start thirty years
ago.
4 QUARTER CENTURY OF EDUCATION
Thirty years ago there was not a
graded school in the State. The prin-
ciplc of local taxation for public schools
was rot even a dream. If some legisla-
tor had introduced bill for the present
system of rural free school Libraries
evcryt ody would have smiled and looked
over toward the State Hospital for the
Insane. If a public meeting had beer
advertised in Mecklenburg county to raise
by subscription $4, 600 for the bettermen
of rural school houses in Mecklenburs
and =, 600 for the betterment of them IL
some mountain county, it would have
been n greater Joke than was ever per
pctratcd by the clown in Barnum's circus
The chief qualification of public