The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-06

His sincerity In thanking the oragnlza-
tions of Virginia for the> invitation
to the Conference to meet here almost
made them feel that the body was to
get the benefit of this great and not
able gathering and the brilliant dis
cussions that are to follow, rather than
Virginia and the South.
A MASTERLY EFFORT.
Mr.. ogdenss annual address as presi-
dent Of the Conference was an effort OF
great strength and clearness. He
presented forcibly the character and
raison deter of the body, it's mission
and It's record. He paid a glowing
tribute OF DR.. Curry, whose long SER
vice here first as member Of the Con-
federate Congress and later as pro
fessor and trustee of Richmond Col
lege, gave Richmond the right to claim
him. He gave abundant evidence of
the high purpose, he, in common with
the magnificent body over which he
presides with so much skill, entertains
of the education OF all the people,
whether North or South.
The days exercises closed with a
brilliant and largely attended reception
at Richmond College, given in honor
Of the visitors by the faculty of that
institution.
Literally the first session of the sixth
annual Conference was held at $50
O'Clock yesterday Afternoon for the pur-
pose Of the election of officers for the
neys year. By report of the Com
mittee on Organization it was decided
not to elect these until tomorrow.
Three sessions will be held today,
morning, afternoon and night.
The session began at s. Is O'Clock p.
M, without prayer.
President Ogden said it was little
unusual for stranger to introduce
to Richmond people the Governor of
Virginia, but it was true OF this audi
ence shat it was composed of men and
women from every section Of the coun-
try. He then bowed TO His Excellency
who came forward, cordially greeted
with applause. Governor Montague
made a fine address, and Virginans
present we're proud of him. as they
have been many times before.
After extending a welcome to the
visiting members Of the conference
the Governor said We welcome you
more especially to the hospitality of
thought, the hospitality Of common
purpose and common undertaking.
The members of this conference are
worthy Of the confidence Of the South
ern people. You do not come as
strangers, - said he, to impose hostile
OF theoretical views upon our people.
You come to see with our eyes to feel
with our hearts and to help with our
hands. You are Identical with us as
being part of the American people,
and you are identical with us in the
belief Of the Transforming power Of
education. You know the burden
that rests upon the Southern people,
and we know that you come to take
hold of that burden where you are ask
ed to take hold. You do not come to
dogmatize, but to cooperate.
MUST HAVE EDUCATION.
Moreover, gentlemen, you under
stand the fundamental principles OF
education; you know that our cover
ment is of the people, by the people
and for the people. But such a peo-
pie most have capacity for government.
Essential to this capacity is an educated
intelligence, and the whole people must
have education. Civic rulers cannot
come from the select few. The most
virile form of our citizenship is found
in the broad highways Of the common
people. Therefore, our institutions
necessitate education of the people, by
the people and for the people. Free
politics, free press, free education and
free religion are among the funda-
mentals of our system of government.
The cardinal factors of our civilization
stand against despotlsm, political and
academic. Governments cannot be
fitted upon people as a coat upon a
man. They rest upon the consent of
the governed: but this consent must
be given in faith and in intelligence.
In other words, our Institutions and
our people should be in harmony, and
to this end we must rely upon the
education of the great mass of our peo-
pie for the achievements which seem
destined for the people of this heml-
sphere" !"
The Governor next dwelt upon this
occasion as educatiye and promotive Of
patriotism. tSuch gathering, COM
posed of such thought, of such pur-
pose and Of such cultivation, neces-
sarily means the enlargement OF our
views and the quickening Of the fell
lowship that should exist among the
people of all the States of thu Union.
Patriotism is not so much love of
country as of the people of the coun-
try, and the success of our scheme of
government rests largely upon the con-
fdence of the people of one State in
the people of another State. The fell