The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-27

enees. the utilization of the press, which mark a great political campaign Out of this united effort are coming increased appropriations by the states, a great ex- tension of local taxation, improved school houses, consolidated schools great free summer schools for teachers inn proved courses. heightened terms, higher salaries, better teaching, expert super vision. This is the most hopeful feature of the educational progress of the year; and at the meeting of the National Ed ucational Association in New England, here in this city of the Puritans. 1t is an especial privilege to award the we'll earned palm of greatest educational pro- gress during the year to the splendid la bors of our brothers and sisters of the south.
 An explanation of the life of this con- ference would be deficient and misleading if it failed to recognize that the con ference owes much of it's continued growth and broadening influence to the sympathy and support of the higher n- stitutions of learning The great uni- versailles and some of the leading col- leges of the north have been represented in the membership year by year and the higher institutions of learning in the south have been constant and generous
 
 ference not merely an organization of educators. It is a popular body. Bus mess men and professional men. public spirited citizens. patriotic women good people of various stations in life attend the meetings in such numbers that no buildings used for the sessions in the several cities that have thus far made the conference welcome have been equal to the audiences desiring to attend it. It is therefore unique. Associations for the promotion of local public interest in ed ucaton or in some special study are not rare. Great professional organizations exist, notably the National Educational Association with its splendid executive equipment and truly national character But has remained for this conference to comand the direct interest of eleven states and sympathetic representations from as many more in movement to in fluence the people, and especially the rural people, In the development of a larger interest in and intelligent demand for improved popular education. This fact Is so significant and important as to require especial attention and wide publication.
 Duty to Perform.
 'The ordinary citizen has duty to perform in respect of public intelligence. Democracy is a social organization. Po- IillcdI HD6TlN uGHldnuS d solemn Surren- der to social service No man rightly understands the truth of democracy until he recognizes it's demand for the greatest nobility of self-sacrifice. True democra- cy is Christlike: it's essence is that of charity and love, 1t suffereth long, and Is kind; envieth not; vaunteth not itself seeketh not it's own, Is not easily pro- voked. It has been said, by whom I know not. that the greatest American failure Is found in the lack of civic self sacrifice; that the greatest American success Is the development of certain in- dividuals of the highest type, and the greatest American hope Is that the body polite may rise even by the slow process of social evolution toward the ideals pre- sented by these prominent individuals.
 Tt is the duty of a conference to con- fer. This convocation will fall far short of it's opportunity if the several represen- tative groups of citizens here assembled fail to get more accurate conception of mutual relations and responsibilities in respect of public education, and espe- cially of rural public education, In the south To be more direct I would say to my brother men, men of my own group-busines men, men in trade, man ufacturing, transportation, finance that we especially have lessons to learn at this conference. As a rule we have not cared to be informed upon our civic du- ties. In more than one sense we have considered ignorance the synonym of bliss. To educators and educational offi- cials we have been too much content to leave the whole question of public ed- ucational responsibility. Too apt we are to pay our taxes with reluctant tardiness after swearing down an appraised valua- ton, thus justifying the satire that in so doing we exercise the highest and most sacred right of citizenship.
 Question that Arts.
 "The question often fIo.Ss unbidden. Why should I pay taxes fsSs the educa- tion of other peoples children? The question suppressed begets degradation of spiritual life even though it hold the mirror of truth to personal meanness. The question uttered is less ignoble, for only error born of ignorance would in- spire expression to the thought. Per versty is more blameworthy than ignor- ance. How true the eplgram coined by one of our number Ignorance cures nothing Whatever the cause, brutali- ty or vagraney. for opposition to taxa tion for education the result is the same. intellectual race suicide
 "The proposition seems clear and accu- rate that the one supreme and special end to be secured here is the sympathetic accord of the citizen, the educator and of- ficial The place Is appropriate. Business is regnant in this city of Birmingham, that proudly echoes back across the sea the name of an adopted parent both proclaiming throughout the world the triumphs of brain and brawn. of progress and prosperity; Birmingham the anti phon of Pittsburg. the great industrial center of the new south. the municipality that in two decades has placed Alabama second only to Pennsylvania in the pro- duction of iron. The vicinage reminds us that commerce is the servant of edu- cation and civilization. Fitting then the time and place in which to acknowledge the dictum of the highest educational authority In this country that business Is to be numbered with the professions. and that the recognition is more than a graceful courtesy. It Is the avowal of a condition that pervades all education. Manual training, domestic scierice. the fine and industrial arts in primary and secondary education; economic, scientific and technical training for business in the higher institutions all emphasize the fact that the worlds work demands tech nically instructed workers.
 Appeal to Business Men.
 "The aristocracy of education has pass ed. The importance of the average cit