Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-28

ATHENS, April 25.-With free schools
for all the people" as it's slogan the South
ern Educational conference has begun its
active session. In all of Georgia's his
tory no other convention is comparable to
this one. II is so pregnant with glorious
possibilities of good for. the people of this
section that all who come within it's ra-
dius are aglow with hope for the future.
A new force and enthusiasm is being gen.
Grated here that will reach the farthest
corners of the south, and which the press
and public men must at once recognize
and reckon with, If they hope to keep
step in the onward march of progress.
The men who compose this convention
have that unselfsh spirit, boundless ener-
gy and jealous faith which is to be
found in a righteous cause, and which
sweeps aside all obstacles that stand in
the way Of ultimate success.
In personnel this convention Is most
striking. Distinguished men from all
parts of the country are here. From
the north and east are men whose names
are household words in nearly every line
Of endeavor. Railroad presidents, mer-
chant princes, great divines, famous
teachers, public men, brilliant and useful
writer's, famous publishers-these are the
men and women who make up Mr.. Og-
denis party.
And from the south what a brilliant
anu CdAAAGSN SdAdAy IL AGACs LOuA6 anu
vigorous governors from progressive
states, brilliant jurists, public men with
ideas above narrow party lines, ministers
Of the gospel of all faiths and, above all,
teachers.
If the roll of that noble army of educa-
tors in the south which has in the past
so splendidly fought it's battle against ig-
norance and is now gathering fresh inspi-
ration and courage for the strength should
be called in Athens today but few Of the
names of its great captains would be
missing.
The first session Of the conference held
last night showed plainly the purpose and
spirit which animates the men from the
north who are offering aid to our peo-
pie In the solution of the enormous edu-
cational problem which confronts them.
Those who did not fully understand the
purposes of the conference and the aims
Of those who compose the Southern and
National Education boards were charmed
with the frank and well-phrased speech
of Mr.. Robert C. Ogden. who amplifed
what has already been outlined in this
correspondence.
No speaker could have been fairer, more
generous or more practical. Not alone the
words but the manner of this philan-
thropic gentleman quite won the hearts Of
his auditors. Without ostentation or eff
fort at oratory, he made a pleasant and
deep impression which viii not be eradi-
Gated. He was listened to attentively not
only by those whose interest in educa-
ton has drawn them here from the north
and south.s but by the leading men and
women of Athens, who showed their
hearty Endorsement by their frequent ap-
plause. And when he concluded he was
given a real ovation. The whole audience
was thoroughly enthused over the speaker
and his words
And why should they not be?
Here was a man 81 -ears old, real head
of the two greatest dry goods stores in
the world, giving up his valuable time and
spending thousands of dollars out of his
own pocket, for no other purpose than to
help fit the poor people of the south, a
section with which he has nothing in COM
mon except the purest patriotism and
broad love of humanity, to earn their own
living and to become happy and useful
citizens.
Just such a picture as this is too sell
dom presented, and when it is. small Won
der that these appreciative Athens people,
who truly represent the south's best
thought and feeling, welcomed the sight
with enthusiastic evidences of affection.
The entire expenses of the party from
the north are borne by Mr.. ogden. He will
not permit the expenditure of one penny
by any of his guests. There is no way of
knowing what these trips cost Mr.. Og-
den, but the expense to him cannot be less
than $4,000 for each trip.
AS indicated yesterday, the trend Of all