The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-25
JARVIS AND Mc|vER
FOrcefuI Educational Address
seS at Wentworth.
Pathetic Plea by One Of Cardinals Most Illus.
trous Sons. Neglect Not Your Churches
and Schools.

Especial to News and Observer.)
largest and most enthusiastic educa-
ticnal gatherings ever held in this coun-
ty was that held al. Wentworth
The occasion was the close of a two
weeks session of the county institute
fol white teachers. This was the fifth
consecutive institute conducted by Super
intendent Frank H. Curtis, of the Bur-
lington Graded School, and our teachers
unanimously voted that he return to con
duct the institute next year. pronouncing
the institute just closed as decidedly the
best one ever held in the county. Coun-
ty Superintendent Ellington, ever watch
full of the best educational interests OF
the county, had sent ont over three
hundred special invitations to school
committeeman and others requesting
them to be present
A splendid stand had been erected for
the speakers and comfortable seats pro-
yided for two thousand people. A more
delightful place for holding the meeting
could not have been had than the beau
tiful grove of majestic trees in the rear
OF the public school building.
Two stronger speakers could not have
been found in the State than Ex-Governor
T. j. Jarvis and Dr. Charles d. Mclyer.
Superintendent Ellington called the
meeting to order and, in a brief, aDpro.
Pirate speech gave a short review Of the
work of the past year and outlined he
POLICY for the coming year. HIS remarks
were highly complimented by ex- Cover
ror Jarvis and others.
Hon. Jno. R. Webster. of Rel isville,
then introduced. in q brief ornate man
ner, the speaker of the morning, en-
Governor T. j. Jarvis. For two hours
this most gifted and honored of all North
Carolinas most illustrious sons, held the
large audience spell-bound. AT times his
plea was pathetic and few could resist -
at times his flight of elouuence was soul
string as he warmed to his subject and
pleaded for the education of the children
of the State. He came two hundred and
fifty miles to address the people of this
county and was compelled to return home
by the first train. His coming must
awaken new zeal in behalf of better edu-
cational advantages and facilities 70: the
children Few of those who heard him
Will ever forget this closing thought:
That he was an old man, that his face
was turned toward the setting sun, that
never again would he solicit the SUI
frage of the State for himself tttt in
al probability he would never again adj
dress a Rockingham audience, that he
loved the State above the power of eX-
preston, that it had honored him more
than he deserved, that he wanted his au-
dience to know that his parting injunc-
tion was to keep their churches and
school houses open. Do this and the
future will be all glorious-neglect it
and we go back to barbarism, said the
great statesman.
Adjournment for dinner then followed
and ample justice was done most de-
lightful and bountiful repast prepared by
the good ladies present.
In The afternoon DR.. Charles D. Newer
spoke on the consolidation of rural dis
tricts and local taxation. DR.. McIver is
recognized as one of the greatest edu-
Gators and speakers of the country. For
years he has been advocating this doc
trine and has spoken from hundreds Of
platforms in behalf of universal educa-
ton. His address was strong, practical
convincing. Only coming years and flu
ture generations will be able to show
what such work means.
The Third Regiment Band, of Reds
Vile, added largely to the enjoyment of
the day by it's presence and by its sweet
music. We are informed that its SER
vices were donated on this occasion.
To the good people of Wentworth
thanks are due for the assistance they
rendered, for their thoughtfulness and for
their many acts of courtesy, which
added so greatly to the delights Of the
day.
The day will go down in the educational
annals of the country as one productive
of great good. Rockingham is the first
county in the State to ipaugurate this
county educational rally movement. 50