The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-12
Mr.. ogden,s Blunder.
1ditor OF the Times- Dispatch;

Sir-I note In the article iyEducation
of the Negro" by Mr.. Robert Beverley
4 in your edition ofEStlle 29th inst, that
z he makes a statement which you strange
y make no comment on: that Mr.. Ilig-
gibson SAYS that the object of the Ogden
Movement In Southern negro education
is to bring in SOCIAL equality later on.
The Ogden movement was very myster-
ious when it first moved to Virginia,
but as two or more reputable Virginians
were embraced by it, we had no idea that
ii was such Trojan horse
Mr. Higginson Is OF the Ogden party
whether or not he speaks for his assoc
ciates. Hence it is due to the Southern
public that 1t be Informed as8to whether
Ii or not he is correctly reported. Such
4 an unnatural statement. If uncorrected.
must of course, down the Ogden Movc-
AG ment among the self-respecting white
fersons III the South, and rightly preju-
dsn negro education.
THOS. R. EVANS.
II considering what our correspondent
saiis the Ogden Movement distinction
must be drawn between the Southern
Edueatlop Board and the Southern Con-
ference for Education. The former is
an organization composed OF Northern
and Southern men whose names have
time and again been printed and that
board is the interpreter and the promoter
of the Ogden movement. 1t is through
that board that the work has been done,
and there is no man on the board who is
In favor of social equality.
There is also on organ ization known as
the General Education Board, which has
raised a sum Of money to carry on the
work OF the Southern Education Board.
That board is also composed Of Northern
and Southern men Who are opposed to
anything bordering on social equality. If
not, we have been grossly misled and
deceived
But the Southern Conference for Edu-
cation is entirely different from either
of these boards. IT is voluntary asso-
citation, having no rules. having no. Off
GERS except the presiding officer and 9TH
ers who are selected at each meeting for
that occasion only and having no elect
cd or permanent membership. The con-
ference is in no sense legislative body;
never commits itself to any measure or
plan and exists for conference and dis
cussicn only. 1t Is a mere debating So
c!ety composed of Northern and Southern
men and women who are Interested in
popular education, and its doors are open
10 all white persons who may choose to
come In and take part in tho debates.
4 Each year Mr.. Ogden starts from the
North on a special train with a number
i |
the subject and takes the party 10 the
place OF meeting. In the party which
visited Birmingham this year was Colon
ell Higgipson. n New Highlander, who was
originally a rank abolitionist and who dur
Ing the Civil War commanded a regiment
equality, mixed schools, mixed marriages
and In all oblierat on of the color line.
lie is to us one of the most offensive
of all the New England negro lovers and
IL nyas an offense 10 the South for Mr.,
Ogden to have taken him TO the confer
enee at Birmingham and put him up to
make speeches. The T!mes-D Dispatch has
been and Is a friend OF this movement,
and we have been disposed TO cooperate
With the Northern men who have come
here in good faith 10 promote popular
education. But II we thought that the
movement was inspired by Mr.. Hlgginson
and men al the North who hold his
yieBs on the negro. question; II we
though, that Mr., Ogden and his asso-
ciates had any intention TO interfere In
any way with the customs and traditions
of Inc South on the negro question. we
should nght the movement more yigor-
oAfIy than ~e have supported II:
Bun We DO not believe it. Ne have
talked face 30 face with the leaders Of
his movement, and so have Governor
Montague ana Goyerner ASeoek and hun
dreds OF men sllo are southern to the
hear4 and they and We are satisfied Chat