The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-23

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quite likely the Inorganic character OF
the conference has inspired the express
sion of doubt concerning It's serious pur-
pose. Intimations have not been want
Ing that II Is only a junketing affair. a
sort OF fad which the imaglnntlons of
into Il supposed vitality and force. a
solemn fancy that affords sober OK
cusc for an affair primarily social. In.
this. nature originate quite beyond the
circle that have personal knowledge OF
the facts. Certainly the social .environ-
lnent Of the successive meetings has been
important and useful, as It has been
delightful. yet II is ompleteiy subordi-
nate and incidental.
Nevertheless. the inquiry Is legitimate:
What Is the theory Of this Confercnce?'
The reply Is clear and sharply defined:
The Conference exists for the advance.
mcnt and promotion Of the education OF
all the people, A brief analysis OF the
clements OF the conference may clarity
"Al are perfectly familiar with the
sovereign demands--materin!. inteliectmai'
splrltuaI--of educational interests. EX-
ccutive combinations of many sorts-land,
buildings. taxation. legislation, systems.
methods--are under requisition Tor the
service. Its infinite details increasingly
enlist the unremitting toll OF hundreds
of thousands OF painstaking teachers.
men and women. representing every
grade OF instruction from the simplest
10 the most abstruse.
FOR the moment, in the center and
foreground Of this vast PERSPECTIVE,
stands this contereneea eomp9,s's ag
because so varied In Its personnel.
Some are profoundly Ignorant OF the
technicalities OF education; quite unta-
mliar by personal knowledge with even
tI,n nnlf IA
contemporary school life: Others are
within the sacred fraternity Of teachers
and In the group may be 1ouha repre- i.
scntatives OF every rank In the tenchlns
profession. Still others are charged Win
the official responsibility of cducationai
management on behalf, OF the state Or
one accord in one place-officials and
citizens, professionals and laity-by rea-
son OF a common belief in the bcnefcent
power of education and because each dls.
tinct element is essential to the spirit
that must vtalze the conference.
80 much for the personnel;
THE INSPIRATION OF 1T.
THE solvent the fusing power that ere
ates the common point of contact IS th i;
belief. perceived in varying degrees by a.!
here present. that the great social GUY
of our age Is the saving OF society. ana
further that the salvation Of society
begins with the saving of the child. With
out faith in the moral prt2 nGeed OF Ins
progress pro begins with the little
child, and. therefore. In very
Literal bs ,naSe. We Of are From
the Kindergarten of to-day TO the uniVef-
slty Of tomorrow Is. as the years go
by. very short step.
.'In this presence no apology Is needed
for the claims that the saving OF society.
the progressive betterment of humanity,
Is demanded by divine authority. mani
guidance and human consciousness.
Neither should excuse be asked FOR IN
acting special demand is made upon every
man and woman for personal service
self-sacrificing. dcvoted-in all things
having TO do with the Grsa a ana Z, d pro
of human happiness.
$50 much for the moral inspiration OF
the conference.
we notice that. from the foundation Of
our government until, now. ringlng, out
with true tone and clarion voice. rlsins
resonant and distinct, above the clamoI
Of politics-a bove the loud barking of the
dogs OF war. above the harsh controver-
sizes concerning the nature OF the ma
tional federation above the strident de-
bates upon the ethics of domestic lnsti-
tutlons-tne note Of democracy in CATHOLIC
unison has ever resounded dominant and
universal Democracy is national intni-
ton, the Fundamental political doctrine
of every American worthy of the name.
the sacred trust confided to our care
and keeping to be preserved for me neal p, !
demonstration of its truth upon Ameri-
can soil. Thus, ~ q. very special way,
our political institutions, unfold an m
spred mission that deeply concerns the
moral progress Of the world. Thus the
State should become the universal mis-
sionary of political gospel both at nome
and abroad.
but a true democracy can only exist
through the fidelity of it's citizens. In
dividualism-cynical selfish. cold and in.
Sfferegtsr!ss out Am my lrs
democracy quickly echoes back my
brother is he that hath need Of thee
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy
"There is divinity In democracy; In
society as in the individual there Is per-
sonal and organic spiritual life, Witness
the restless longing for social service
$50 much for the patriotic inspiration
of the conference.
"And thus It has come about that this
varied collection of men and women,
moved by ethical and patriotic lncen-
that they may be mutually instructed and
inspired in conference based upon the
common belief that the general ednca-
tion OF all the people is essential to the
education. progress In the arts. IN the
diffusion of happiness, In the things that
make for good character. family peace,
clean living, human brotherhood, civic
Righteousness, and national Justice Is i'm
possible. In the atmosphere of common
human sympathy the Conference. for Ed
ucaton in the South lives and moves
and has It's being.
'"rhe concrete. reply concerning the the
DRY Of the conference Is short and SIM
Bic. 1t Is diminutive spiritual de-
mocracy--a sympathetic association OF
those who believe In the civic. and con-
structive value OF the policy of universal
education. II exists for the cultivation
of the higher inspiration that underlies
all social development II firmly believes