The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-25

II. p. venabl of the University of North
Carolina. This gentleman. after brief
introductory remarks, said In part;
We are here to consider what Is called
popular education. by some believed to
DO distinct from or even opposed to the
higher education Of the few who are to
lead. cannot do beter with my few
minutes than to maintain and establish
this proposition, namely, that university
education is an absolutely essential and
integral part OF popular education. differ
Ing only in degree. and that 1t must come
first, there being no possibility OF popu-
lar education without 1t.
My reasons for believing this shall be
briefly stated. First, many trained
teachers are needed If the whole people
are to be taught. We may confer here.
discuss methods and decide on plans, but
after all the warfare against illiteracy
is to be carried on by an army of teach
Ars, otlicered and trained by those whom
the universities and colleges have sent
forth.
Tho fountain from which the stream
takes It's rise and whence 1t draws Its
power of blessing ia the university
But tho second reason is even more
important. There must be sentiment
in favor of education contended for and
fostered by those who have enjoyed It's
benefits and can appreciate It's value.
Here. for instance. Is conference IN
behalf of the education OF the untaught
thousands throughout the South. Is 1t
mass meeting of these people. the illite-
rates, demanding their rights? Does IT
spring from some uttered cry Of theirs
for moro light? Do you como hero be-
cause OF tho insistence of the unedu-
Gated? My friends, the pity OF 1t Is that
the ignorant DO not feel nor recognize
their need. You como here because your
hearts are stirred with a pity for those
who need your help that has in 1t some
thing Of the spirit OF Him who came to
bring deliverance to the captive and
preach the gospel to the poor. This Is
almost entirely q meeting Of college-bred
men. and we have set ourselves the
great task Of rouslng 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 partalsc OF this light and broader life.
sTRIKiNGpIL LUsTRATION.
In illustrating that university educa-
ticn means universal education, the
speaker said:
. oIe university WIS 'eStQDISleQ, ant
among its first students 1t inspired for
his work and sent out Archibald Muir
ply, who began the agitation for popular
education. and together with Bartlett
Yuncey, another son of the university,
succeeded In establishing the literary
fund which should MD and establish the
common schools. Then Followed Calvin
Wiley, another son who gave his life to
the work, travelling with horse and buggy
to all parts Of the State and establishing
By his untjring energy the best public
school system in the South. Then came
the war. with its devastation and ruin.
One-third of the ahle-bodied men were
lost In those terrible four years. and ut
| tie besides the desolate fields and empty
homes We're left. With patient heroism
| tho work was taken up once more A lit
| tie money was set aside for schools, but
| largely wasted The doors of the univcr-
sity were once more opened. for ! tell
| you. therein lay and lies the hope of the
people, In the first five years there came
| from Its halls, among others who have
nobly played their part Aycock, the
school Governor; Joyner, tho State super
intendent OF schools, and McIver and AL.
derman, OF your board.
For fifteen years the sons OF the uni
versity have visited all parts OF the State
| and preached tho crusade of education
They have held summer schools and coun-
| ty Institutes battled over elections fol-
school taxes and established graded
schools This is no new movement Will
VIZ, but an old warfare, In which We
| gladly welcome your aid and would nc
knowledge without stint of praise thu
| help which has come from tho colleges.
THE SPLENDID RESULT
"The university has trained and sen
out more than 1900 teachers, and thes'
| have trained thousands Of Others. 1t es
| tabllshed one of the first summer SCHOOLS
| for teachers in the South, beginning tn
| work In 1877, and thus aiding some 400
teachers to ut themselves better for teach
Ing in the common schools 1t ma
manned the graded schools with superin
tendents and principals, placing fourteen
Of its students In this work last year
Forty per cent. OF Its graduates have be
| gun their life work as teachers VII
not weary you by further recountini
these matters. Tho point is this' ina
the university has thrown itselr heart an
soul into tho great and immediate ~orl
which lay before It OF educating IN
| whole people, answering this call as
did that other battle cry forty years ago
| when even Its freshman class. excepting
one who was physically disabled, all en-
| tered the service, and one IN three Ia.
down his life for his beloved SOUTH
IAN heroic story, and doubtless slmlla
| stories could be told of other Southern
universities. / have simply told You o
the ono that / know best
"some may ask why It is that more ha
not been accomplished II such energy AM
purpose have been shown, answer tina
tho chief obstacle has been poverty
Southern universities have been force
to struggle on with most inadequate sup
port The one of which have beer
speaking received It's first direct appro
priatlon from tho State when 1t was nine
ty-two years old and that an appropria
ton OF 5000, and there are others whlcl
even now receive nothing from thel
States, but depend largely upon the gen
eral government The State of North Car
DINA has never appropriated money 4
place a building at its university, An
YET the return to the state has been !, be
You'd all price In the sons she has trainer
for the states and tho nations service.
"Do not misunderstood me- do no
mention these things as a plea for helr
Wa are no beggars. we are doms on
| work and are doing IL better ana on