The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-24
STATE TEACHERS IN COUNCIL.
Address of Mr.. S. H. Edmunds
on Cooperation and Ce-ordi-
nation of Colleges and
Schools.

White Stone Springs, June 19.-In-
terest grows apace in the proceedings
of the State Teachers Association.
This afternoon at O'Clock the college
department resumed it's sessions, and
proceeded to discussion of the ques-
tion Glow Can Colleges and Schools
Aid Each Other?" The meeting was
presided over by Prof R. Means
Davis, of the South Carolina College,
who introduced DR.. j. I. Mccain, Of
Erskine. DR.. Mccain spoke upon the
need of cooperation and co-ordina-
tion in the educational system of the
State, emphasizing the facts that the
colleges and schools must both work
apart and together-apart in the sense
that each has it's separate and distinct
work and place in the system; to-
gether in that they must be properly
articulated so as to fit into each
other, supporting the one the other.
He was followed by Superintendent
S. H. Edmunds, who discussed the
matter from the point of view of the
schools, particularly.
In discussing the subject Mr.. Ed
munds said:
"The possibility of a sane solution
of the problem under discussion rests
in the recognition of the truth that
the whole school system is unit.
theoretically the truth of this PROPOSE
tion is received; practically, it is not.
In a graded school system, wisdom
demands a closely consecutive con-
tinuity from the lowest through the
highest class; in college the effects
of the same systematic graduation are
manifest; the strength Of the chain
is measured by the tenacity and con-
Meeting power of the weakest link
Wisdom makes the same demands of
the relation between schools and col
leges: ber voice has not been needed.
"The-e should be feeling of perfect
harmony between the school and col
lege: but it is not desirable that har-
mony should exist only in feeling.
There should be an harmonious inter
action and cooperation, whose results
shall be made clear by the presence of
that power that is possible only from
united efforts. To be wisely planned
college course of study should look
back of the demands Of its freshman
class to the schools that are the feeders
of colleges. With those whose duty
it is to shape the curricula of colleges
this question should always be pre-
sent: Have we so arranged this course
of study as to give to preparatory
schools al objective that is at the
same time ideal and attainable?
"T6ere should never occur to col
lege the idea of diminishing the de-
mands Of entrance examinations in
order to muster more matriculates.
The hopes of higher education hang
upon the requirements of entrance to
the freshman class. It is this that
determines the standard of any college
and touches the preparatory school at
its vital spot. The schools derive
their inspiration from the colleges.
"While the truth is recognized by
school men that preparation for col
lege is by no means the sole purpose
of the school; still the influence of the
college curriculum is pervasive and in
preparing for college the school feels
that it is preparing for life. How
great then is the responsibility Of
college men! They exert power that
pervades life! Through them the
prospective citizenship of our country
receives it's training and direction. |
have reverence for higher education,
a supreme respect for those who are
it's votaries, and I feel distinguished
honor in being permitted to stand in
your presence and to say, that to you
South Carolina is looking for the well
directed destiny Of her sons and daugh-
ters, and this honor is gladdened with
pride when to this call to duty, | may
add the faith of her assurance that
she does not look in vain. May be
allowed to say that as school man 1t
rejoices my heart to realize that the
men of our colleges are more tho
roughly awake today than ever to the
demands that the schools make Of
their time and talent to the solution
of this vital question. This question
that is more far-reaching than any
educational concern of today: How
may we, college men, exalted by the
positions that we occupy and exalting
by our worthiness the positions that
we fll-how may we by the influence
our positions and worthiness give us,
exert GQaG 1QuU0uc0 So budG Gllo "uoiO
school system-a system that we re-
cogniZe as unit-may be benefited,
inspired, lifted to a clearer light,
better view, a more deserving destiny?
'To the school man who realizes his
responsibility, the profered coopera-
tion comes like clarion call, awakes
in him an eagerness to welcome as one
welcomes burst of sunlight on a
dreary day this extended hand clasp
of college men, and makes him rejoice
as a strong man to run race-re-
joicing the more, because in this
race for the education of the young
of his beloved State, he shall not
run alone. There is that delightful
comfort that southern soldier felt
when he knew that back of him there
was an intrepid infantry, that never
learned the signal of retreat, and just
ahead mounted upon chargers that
paved the air there was a Hampton,
Jackson or Lee. Faith is the founda
tion of all effort How great will be
the faith of school men in the just
ness of their cause, and the certainty
of success. if through the whole line Of
fighters for education there can be