The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-04-28
Venable on the Universiy's Work.

At the afternoon session of the con
ference, the opening topic was The
Work of the University in the Southern
States and the discussion was led by
Or. f. P. Venable, President of the Uni
versity Of North Carolina, who said:
Two weeks ago | received a note from
DR.. Murphy, stating that he expected
me to speak before this conference for
ten minutes upon the Work of the
University in the South" The subject
is so large and the time so short that /
find it difficult to fit the two together.
The work of a University in its state
and for the South is many-sidcd and
most important. 1t trains the leaders
and fits for useful citizenship, it directs
in much that makes for progress and
development and it forms the keystone
Of the educational system. The history
of many a Southern State would be com
paratively bare and inguorious if we cut
out the part played by the sons of It's
University.
But this conference would care little
for a %recounting of these matters of lead
ership or the achievements in official and
civic life. We are here to consider
what is called popular education. by
some believed to be distinct from or even
opposed to the higher education Of the
few who are to lead. | cannot do better
, With my ten minutes than maintain and
establish this proposition, namely, that
University education is an absolutely eS-
sential and integral part of popular edu-
cation, differing only in degree, and that
it must come frs, there being no posi-
bility of popular education without it.
My reasons for believing this shall be
briefly stated. First, many trained
| foo n O.r o-0 - - 41o J~
arc to be taught. We may confer here.
discuss methods and decide on plans,
but after all the warfare against litter
acy is to be carried on by an army Of
teachers, differed and trained by those
whom the universities and colleges have
sent forth.
The fountain from which the stream
takes its rise and whence it draws its
power of blessing is the University.
But the second reason is even more i'm
p%ortant. There must be a sentiment in
favor of education contended for and fos-
tered by those who have enjoyed its
benefits and can appreciate its value.
Here, for instance, is a conference IL
behalf Of the education of the untaught
thousands throughout the South. Is it
a mass meeting of these people. the illit-
crates. demanding their rights? Does It
~ ing SOIIG uttered cry OIL InelrS
for more light? Do you come here pc
cause of the fnsistence of the uneducatedo
My friends the pity of it is that the ig-
norant do not feel nor recognize their
need. You come here because your hearts
are stirred with a pity for those who
need your help that has in it something
OF the spirit Of Him who caIne to bring
deliverance to the captive and preach
the gospel TO the poor. This IS almost
entirely a meeting Of college-bred men
and we have set ourselves the great
task OF rousing the people to their needs.
giving freely of time and talents and
money that they too may have light.
Aye. OF forcing them. if needs be. to
partake CT this light and broader life.
History has always had it so. The
hight has always filtered doWnwards and
~ a word, | may saw that the great work
OF the colleges and universities IN the
South has been and must be the educa-