The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-05-21
THE s0UTH's WAYS.

for Education, recently held at
Athens, Ga, was largely attended,
and although the Northern men who
are engaged in this movement were
met most cordially by the Southern
people in attendance, and although
mainly Southern men are working
harmon;ously with Mr.. Ogden and his
associates, it is needless to deny that
this movement is not as yets popular
and is watched with more or less sus-
picion, not to say apprehension, by
tnhe Southen people at large.
In one sense it seems strange that
men Of large means and of great gener-
osity who are honestly endeavoring to
confer benefit upon the Southern
people, who are willing to give millions
Of dollars in aid Of the public-school
system Of the South, should not be
received with open arms, so to speak,
by the South at large.
But those who understand the South
erner thoroughly there is no mystery.
We have peculiar condition In the
South. We have the negro as race
to deal with and we know that our
views and the views of some Of the
Northern people on this question are
utterly and ncifably at variance.
When the Northern man speaks to
the Southern man about negro equal
ity and mixed schools there can be no
possible agreement, there can be no
discussion between these two on that
subject, for, as Hoke Smith, of Geor-
gia, said in his speech before the con-
ference, there are some questions
which we Of the South will not even
discuss with our Northern brethren,
however sincere and honest they may
be. There is a suspicion among some
Of the Southern people that these
Northern philanthropists are endeav-
oring to. elevate the negro and so bring
him into a closer social relationship
with the Southern people. For onr
part, we are convinced from our
knowledge Of the movement that such
thought is utterly foreign to- Mr.
Ogden and his friends, although there
may be some few fanatics Indirectly
associated who entertain that view.
But NE say that it is not surprising
chat Southern men who have seen so
much Of Northern fanaticism should
wish to be convinced on this point,
as The Times is convinced, before
they give the movement their hearty
approval and support.
Another thing: The Southern peo-
pie are very jealous of their tradi-
tions, of their manners and customs
and morals. They like their own ways
and they do not like all the ways OF
the folks at the north.
We want our boys and girls to be
educated by Southern teachers ac-
cording to Southern usages, accord
ing to the Southern code Of morals
and chivalry and politeness, and
when there is any talk of importing
teachers from the North to train our
children we are all up in arms. We
make no apologies for this.
But The Times is convinced that the
Southern Education Board has no such
| idea as this in mind. We do not be-
lieye that these men are thinking OF
working revolution in the South.
We do not believe that they have any
intention or desire to give the children
of the South different sort OF train
ing. If 80, they have kept their secret
well guarded. We believe that they
are desirous simply and solely OF help
ing the Southern people to educate
their children in their own way and
that the money which they propose to
give will be simply and solely sup
Elemental fund
We are not authorized to speak for
the Southern Education Board. We
have no sort of connection or indirect
association with it. What We say is
purely the view Of an outsider and is
said in the interest of truth.-Rich-
mnnd Times