The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-06
vnapsls d prusssdilgs and EE-
sraels From Notable Speeches
al Richmond.
IGNORANCE ||EII FOR NOTHING
Gathering of Leaders Of Thought
and Proaress From North and &
South in virginia's capitol.
The Salient Points 0bserved by Supt.
S. II. EdmuEids.

So much has been written abouJ the
Worg and aims Of the Conference Tor
Esducation II the South that it may be
ven as this time TO give the story OF
ifs beginning. The conference owes
ifs origin TO Rev. Edward Abbott, D..
Of Cambridge, Mass, a brother
sef Dr.. Lyman Abbott, the editor OF
The Outlook, who is one Of the speak
ars at the sixth meeting OF the con-
ference now in session in our city.
Dr.. Edward Abbott spent some time
at Capon Springs, y. Va. in the sum-
mer of 1885,, and while there told the
proprietor, Captain w. d. Sales OF
Winchester, Va of the good results
Of the Conferences OF friends OF the
Indian, which had been meeting an.
nnalIy for q number OF years at Mo-:
honk Lake, New York, as the guests
of the proprietor Of that beautiful
fasort. Hon. Albert IL. Smiley, &
member of the Board of Indian Com.
r,issioners Of the United States Cap
tain Sale became deeply interested IN
She story of the good work done by the
lohonk Conferences In the simple,
but thorough, discussion Of the Indian
Drobler. and the publication each year
Of full report OF the discussions, IN
cIuding platform Of principles to
Sbe followed in the further effort to
educate and elevate the Indians. He
was, therefore, quite ready TO consider
fayorably the adFisabiHsy OF free
conference to discuss the question Of
education IN the South with a view
Sof arousfng interest and making I'M
proyements II the schools already
estbIshed for both races In this
section OF our country.
After fur5hsr consideration, Captain
Sale. IN the true spirit OF Virginia
hospitHlity, authorized DR.. Abbott TO
all such conference at Capon Springs
81 the following summer and to invite
suitable persons 20 attend 1T as the
guests Of the Capon Springs Hotei
Company To carry ont this object,
Dr.. A bboss associated with himself as
"a Provisional Committee, q number OF
Southern gentlemen interested IN the
subject of education, among them be-
ing Dr. Curry, Rt. Rev.
Thomas u. Dudley, Of Kentucky
President julius d. Dreher, OF
! Roanoke College, and Rev. DR.. b.
s. Frigsell, principal of Hampton In
stitute. Although the first conference
held early In the summer OF 1895 and
presided over by Bishop Dudley, was
not large. SO much iRterets was mani
tested and so many good papers were
read and addresses made that the pro-
mise Of fruitful results from these dis
cussions and the printed reports OF the
same encouraged those present to feel
that they we're entering into per-
manent organization for Improving
The schools of the South. or course,
thew had no idea then that out of that
small gathering would grow such
powerful and beneEcent agencies as the
Southern and the General Education
Boards.
From the foregoing statement it
viii be- seen that the conference
originated il tie desire to benefit the
South, not by imposing any new
system or ideas upon it, but simply
# by inducing Southern educators and
other philanthropic persons from all
parts of our common country to meet
once a wear for the discussion of the
general topic of education in the
Z S0UIl, IN 50S uOpSs Iltob eLoA0 i1i4ASi-0
be discovered methods looking towards
the solution Of some of our most prac-
tical as well as difficult problems.
That was the benevolent purpose OF
fhe founding of the conference, and
that has been its spirit in the three
meetings at Capon Springs, the fourth
At Winston Salem, and the fifth at
Athens. Ca, year ago. The large
attendance at the sixth conference
now IN session in our city is the best
evidence Of tie increasing interest IN
It's patriotic mission and of the grow
inc appreciation of our people in its
benefcens work.
THE OPENING SESSION.
The Conference for Education in tae
sonth had brilliant opening session
last night, with one element absent
neeessary to make the meeting the
sDlendid success all bad hoped for it. ].
The Academy of Music was packed
To IS doors. Every seat in the spacious
orchestra and dress circles was oc-
cupied and numbers stood during the
honr and a half of the exercises.
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