The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-15
Especial to News and observer.)

Charlotte, N. c., Jan. 14.-Goyernor
Aycock in his address before the Cham
Der of Commerce here tonight, spoke as
follows
Mr.. President and Fellow Citizens:
When / received the invitation Of the
Chamber of Commerce to deliver an adj
dress upon the imperative need of public
education In this State, / felt very high
ly gratifed. There has grown up in this
State In certain circles an idea that the
men Of wealth and those engaged in COM
merce are opposed or at least are not
enthusiastic, upon the subject of universal
education. Your invitation denies this
suggestion and / was. therefore, much
sratified. 1t is understood, of all men |
trust, that / am personally and officially
in favor of the education of the children
Of the State. This position of mine has
been taken after much thought; is not
the result of any sentiment. and is not a
mere opinion, but is a settled conviction.
/ have many friends in the State, strong
men, men of intellect, and of character,
and of influence. who differ from me upon
this subject. They seem to think that
have taken radical position am glad.
lotte to make clear my position. I say IN
the city of Charlotte because this city
was the birthplace of American liberty,
is the leader in commerce and stands at
the head of the progressive element of
cur State in all matters which tend to her
development If this city is right upon
the question of education, and her posi-
ton is indicated by your invitation then
vi of
to show that they are mistaken and to
strengthen the spirit OF universal educa-
tion IN the State l have decided to make
a speech made up almost entirely of ex-
tracts from the messages of the Cover
nors of this State and the reports of the
superintendent of Public Instruction
Surely these gentlemen have not been
mistaken. The people have certainly not
entrusted their affairs to one man after
another who is in error upon matter
of such vital Importance. In the midst
of the Civil War, when every man who
was capable of fighting, and every dollar
which could be expended were devoted
10 the cause of the Southern Confederacy,
the people of North Carolina did not for
get that the chief interest of the State
lay in the education of her children, and
and the best who has ever served the
State, devoted his time, his genius, and
his heart to the cause of the masses of
the people. His reports upon the subject
OF education entitle him to a place at the
head of those who have advocated the
universal education of the people He
is little known but / declare to you that
in my study of TIE men who have made
hot no ;o,
man in all her history who approaches
him in valuable service to the people of
the State. His memory ought TO live
forever and the work which he did ought
TO he known of all men. 1t has grown TO
re a fashion TO speak pleasant words of
me as the Educational Governor of this
State, but when | consider the work which
Calvin r. Wiley did and of the thoughts
which he expressed ] feel myself I'M
worthy of the slightest distinction. am.
therefore, pleased to open my address to-
night with extracts from his reports, and
! shall follow what he says by the mes
sages of the different Governors and the
reports of the various superintendent
since then. There are people who think
that my position Is wrong; that l am not
representing the best view Of the people
needful to call attention to the people of
the State, through the Chamber of Com
merce OF Charlotte, to the fact that if
am wrong. then all my predecessors have
been wrong, and the men whom the people
have chosen to be their Governors have
been foolish people.
Qs6S-I. Document No. Q. page s. c. II. Wiley):
''But the future historian of this stirring age
will find authentic records which Will sun en-
nance the honor of her character and he will
add as her browning glory that IN the darkest
hour OF the Confederacy, when every nerve ana
muscle of the country wrought TO the
highest tension in a terrible and unexampled
struggle for existence and independence, North
Carolina still supported vigorous and benehcent
system Of free and public schools and that they
attended by fifty thousand OF the children
OF her patriotic citizens.
(Pagc II. Doc. No. 81:
1.-The existing war, so far from furnishing sub
stantial reasons for the postponcment OF i'm
nrovements in connection with our Common
Schools, has only rendered their Importance more
apparent. and opened the way Tor them
(Poge Ii, same documenD:
1T Is an old principle Of our institutions that
popular government is based on the virtue and
intelligence of the people; and what does a
just appreciation of this maxim require at our
hands, at such time
(lsG4-5 Doc. No. /, page Is. BY Governor
vance,:
1.-THE Common Schools should surely be kept
going at every cost and il sufficient inducements
cannot be offered TO disabled soldiers and cdu.
Gated women to take hold OF them. the neces.
sary males should be exempted from military
service.
(lSe5-6 Doe. T. page Ia. BY Governor WortlD
whatever may be our pecllniary distresses our
Youth must be educated We MUST sustain our
institutions Of learning"
Qsj5-6 Doe. No. :. page q. BY G. II. Wiley):
ITO the lasting honor OF North Carolina her
public schools survived the terrible shock Of civil
war; and the State of the South which furnished
most material and the greatest number and the
bravest troops TO the war, did more than all
others for the cause OF popular education
The Common Schools lived and discharged