The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-27

s.io ~ouAohcHCc TUT 1Auucdtioh Ai eHo /, This Is the Seventh Annual Confer ence for Education in the South. The small numbers at the three earlier con- vacations and the intimate social con- ditions of meeting made explanatory opening statements superfiuous. The three later conferences have assem- bled under completely changed cir cumstances and each with its own spe- tances between the places of annual meeting. the greatly enlarged audien- ces. the varying personnel, the deep ening interest. the national repute and widening influence of the conference have combined to make some account ot its history and explanation of its character necessary for the informa- ton of each assembly that greets 1t with the welcome and hospitality of a new locality.
 It was not my privilege to be an original member of this Conference of Education in the South. but in its sec ond year enlisted in the service more through personal loyalty to Doctors Curry and Frissell than because of any clear conception of it's purpose. Examination of the printed records of the conference reveals the spirit in which it was created and the fidelity with which it's vital essence has been preserved.
 Organized altruism must incarnate an ideal. Without spiritual life fra ternity becomes decadent. Therefore | to assist us in the duty of continuing iunimpaired the essence of this confer ence, 1t is we'll to recite some brief sentences from the expressions of faith and experience recorded by its former | assemblies.
 At the first meeting in July. 1898. the conference made the following asser- ton by resolution: Upon the princi- l pie that if one member of our Union of States suffers all the members suf- | fer with it, the duty of the whole coun- try to foster education in every part is manifest" Tn June, 1899, the confer- ence recorded the opinion: That the l education of the white race in the South is the pressing and imperative need. and the noted achievements of the Southern commonwealths in the creation of the common, school systems | for both races deserve the 1 sympathetic recognition of the, coun- | try and of the world at large. In April, 1901. the Conference "reaffirm- ed its conviction that the ovefshadow- 1 ing and supreme public need of our time as we pass the threshold of a | new century is the education of the 1 children of all the people. We declare tsuch education to be the foremost task of our statesmanship and the most worthy object of philanthropy" In April. 1902. the declarations of the con- l ference opened with the words: The amending campaign that this confer l ence met to further Is a campaign not only for the free education of all the people, but for free education of such efficiency as shall make the coming | generation of citizens of the Southern Estates the best trained men and wo- men that an enlightened Democracy can produce"
 Each of these statements rings true to it's predecessor: each Is link in a chain that as 1t lengthens. not only retains all its original strength of principle, but creates a broadening en- vironment of influence. This influence finds expression in several forms.
 The Southern Education Board. the eldest child of the conference, Is nov in the third year of continuous and earnest activity. It appeals by many methods to the people and educational authorities of the various States for an improvement of all conditions of tpublic instruction-an organized pro- paganda, inspired by a zeal for the up- lifting of the whole people physically, mentally, spiritually, through the ben eficent power of education.
 Associated with the Southern Board
 through a community of membership is
 the General Education Board. only few
 months younger. From the office of this
 Board constant investigation of local
 and State conditions, of institutions oi
 every class is going forwards. It .s
 already quite important to every worthy
 institution seeking private aid to be
 registered in the office of the General
 Education Board. Increasing as the
 public understands the intelligence and
 justice that mark all its statements Is
 the value of Its endorsement prized by
 both donors and recipients. The Board
 has a National Charter under which tc
 administer such funds as may come to il
 for distribution.
 These two Boards are unique in char.
 acter, original in forms of orGs Gsnization
 peculiar In both the necessary division
 of responsibility and the unity of ths
 work to be done At some points eacf
 Is vital to the other, and again each has
 responsibility that the other could not
 discharge.
 Many in this audience have some in.
 formation concerning these Boards, theil
 personnel and their aims. Familiarity
 with their interior detail Is essential tc
 a comprehension of their character and
 scope. Few have this knowledge. This
 Is my apology for a somewhat lengthy
 reference to a subject upon which this
 Conference; should. be fully informed.
 It is a misfortune that I am at once
 a member of both Boards and presid.
 ing officer of this Conference I will
 cheerfully admit apparent indecorum ir
 my allusions to the Boards. But these
 allusions are demanded by imperative
 duty to the audience and also to the
 larger public who will follow the record
 of these proceedings The entire coun
 try has a debet of obligation to tho
 Executive Secretaries of these Boards
 Press and platform give their utterance:
 to the people of this land, the results ol
 careful study, upon topics that deeply
 concern the national welfare. The mer
 in the Boards hold opinions that some, times are divergent, rightly so for they
 often represent distinct geographical honest discussion of which leads to ac- curate conclusion. But these groups oi ! men see eye to eye with a mutual con. . fidence in aim and motive so strong that the tie that binds cannot be broken. Out
 of it all comes unofficial statesman, ship sound, constructive, patriotic. thai
 also finds printed and vocal expression M And now the aim of this inorganic organization is reaching the third stage
 of evolution in the kindred or associated State organizations. Virginia has just
 created an educational commission, a
 similar movement is taking form in Ala
 bama,s and the process win naturally go ron from State to State. community of interest will prevail The form of Il ! l doth not vet annear The Conference