The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-21
SATURDAY. MARCH 81. 1903.
THE EDUCATION CONFERENCE

d In referring the other day to harsh
criticism by some Virginia newspapers
Of the Southern Conference for Educa-
ton, wo said that we could but con-
clude that the opposition to the move
ment which was thus manifested pro-
ceoded from ignorance.
rho Franklin Graphic rcproduces this
part Of the article and adds:
$5t AS usual .'Thc Times Dispatch" speaks
very plainly. We agree fully with them
when they say that they believe oppo-
sItIon to this movement by some Of the
newspapers Of Virginia Is due to igno-
rance. How absurd 1t is for news
paper to bclitte or hinder any move
ment which Is endeavorlng TO educate
The people. How can newspaper AZ
low its prejudice against Yankees, North
)rners. individuals, or any association of
men who arc willing to spend their
money through our own organizations
10 educate the boys and girls OF Virginia.
to oppose movement which proposes
TO decrease illteracy, educate, prepare
and equip our people to develop the
natural resources and wealth Of the
State hidden in the earth. to place our
mechanics on level with, skilled me-
chanics Of the country and to better
/ prepare our boys and girls for the great
conflict and battle Of life that is before
them? There are many Objectionable
traits and characteristics peculiar to
Yankees, but on the other hand there
is much good in them, and If we would
throw aside our prejudice. adopt the
would indeed be profitable. They
believe iii education, industry and
practice strict attention no business.
They have made lots of money and II
1t should be in their hearts TO help us
educate our people. which we are unable
10 do, Tho Graphic desires to say that
It feels very grateful to these people ana
we want to encourage and aid them IN
the great work which they have under
taken. They do not propose to establish
Yankee schools, teach sectonalism from
n Yankee standpoint, to alter or In any
\ manner interfere with any Of our schools.
Z They simply propose to give their money
10 the school authorities OF the state OF
Virginia in order that we may be able
10 accomplish that which we have so far
been unable to do.
That Is fine statement OF the fact.
and we wish that every Virginia editor
would take that view. There Is no news
paper in the State that Is more jealous
of Virgnia's honor and dignity. more
jealous of the States sacred traditions
than The Dispatch. and II any
movement from the North or elsewhere
were made to jostle our institutions or
10 impair the integrity of the Virginia
people this paper would be among inc
first to resent and resist it.
we confess that in the beginning we
were more or less suspicious of the So
called Ogden movement, and had our
,ntsgivings, for we had seen something
Of the missionary work" which New
England fanatics, had been doing in the
South. But having made thorough In
yestigation, and having talked face 10
face with the men In this movement, we
long since became thoroughly convinced
that the men are sincere In their desire
; to unite with the Southern people IN
helping them to push along the cause OF
popular education. Wo are satisfied that
there Is no harm In 1t. and nothing but
good in 1t, and that 1t would be ungra-
rious and unwse for the Southern peo-
ole to refuse the offer thus made. Let
us remember that there Is a grace of re.
reiving as we'll as grace of giving
Some people seem to think that the
underlying design OF the movement is
4 to push the negro forward. There is
no doubt that these men are DESTROYS Of
helping the negro hut they have Learned
that the way to help him is through the
whites. Recently we reviewed an article
In the current number of the Outlook
on the race problem We are inclined
IN think that the article was writer
nv DR.. Hamilton W. Mabie, who Is on
az the editors Of that publication, am
who is thoroughly identified With tn
Ogden movement. At any rate. the al
tIcle thoroughly represents the view
of Mr.. Odgen and his associates SO IA
as we have heard them expressed, an
in that article the writer says mat IN
first duty Of the North is to recogniz
the fact that, II the race problem is
national problem II is also pre-eminentl
Southern problem; that men IN IN
South who are lovers Of their country
of liberty and of their felloW-men, ar
trying to solve this problem ON principle
consonant with justice and freedom. an
4
by corporation with the negros whit
reighbor and largely under the whit
neIghbor's leadership.
The same writer says In another par
OF the article that the kind Of educatio
which the negro needs is, first OF all, I
have the Ten Commandments thorough
drilled into his head and heart. and the
Ia learn the art of taking care OF hin
self by his own work.
The Northern men who belong to tn
Southern Conference for Education al
certainly In large majority In sympath
with the Southern people, and are hor
estly DESTROYS OF cooperating with (,
in improving our public schools and
arriving at sensible and satisfaction
\ solution OF the race problem. So fl
N slrcm oiscouraging them we believe thi
Il is most sensible for the people of II
South TO take these men into their col
fdence. to give them ttieeright hand
Fellowship. Y nut \ friends sof them q