New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-24
EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH
aims and Purposes of Southern Edu-
catiOnal association Set Forth.

1y.sbirgtor Dec 23-A report calculated TO
awaken interest in the forthcoming meeting OF the
Southern Educa toral Association at Jacksonville.
Fla has just been issued by the committee on
aims and n1Irposes" of the association. The re-
port denies that the existence of the association
is due to sectional sentiment but 1t adds, there
Is a community of interest in educational matters
i'm the Southern States such as belongs 10 no other
group of States in the American Union The I'M
poverishment of the endowed and private schools,
and the passing from the educational system which
met the needs of the white citizens in former days
to a system Of schools supported by the people
and framed to meet the needs of all citizens and
the demands of the twentieth century. have rem
dered necessary educational changes radical as TO
principles and revolutionary to methods.
The enfranchisemnt of the negroes the report
says added 10 the citizenship OF these States a
generation ago uneXampled burden of illiteracy.
the mode OF relief from which 1t is our duty 10
determine and to accomplish. The effort to provide
rural schools IN any worthy of the need has
disclosed. from the Appalachian Mountain section
to the pine woods Of Georgia Florida and MlsSlS-
sippi and the rich delta Of the Mississippi.
difficulties that almost the despair OF those
who know what efficient school management means.
To these difficulties, affecting primarily the devel
Upmeut OF the schools for the white race. is added
the enormous burden of responsibility entaed upon
the white race by the presence OF the negro and
tine necessity for prt yenuns his degradation ana
helping MIN a better anu more useful life. The
COIidltIOItS named in
a
appalling. IuC SU-Ju utuS Il OF the
u;llive White population Of the country u Der
cent of the white lhJer-tes OF the country.
To this is ADDED the enormous ana DANGEROUS oJT-
den OF negro iIIiUeTJcy-
While the association heartily appreciates the
interest and sympathy OF ph-4I ntnrOplStS every
where the report says, The problems confronting
Us are too CUnlpicN bc easily C1,sI stood u.
study at Il distance. 10" delicate To- LuSyIups4-
thetc handling and too great lCr anytnln- 4ysS
than united effort b. effective ia their SOL tiOn.
IL dealing with che municipal schools Sraued
schools, nigh schools ana Cou7SC WuvE 10
ordination and methods. We need To Know at once
what can and what can not Doe carried out under
conditions And when 80 have slFtnS thtned our
faith and hope by mutual counsel regarding the
work OF education for the whit races. We need to
look well 10 that other work for which. whether
wish II or not, held responsible 20 the
world and to our poste.ity-thc training Of the
negro
To study and discuss the problems and the poll
Southern states are concerned. TO compare the
periences of each so that they may be profitable
all 10 Investigate conditions and needs peculiar 10
our Own Sectlon and To encourage each other IN
these eirorts are the aims of the Southern tduca-
uOnal Assoclatlon; However widely the educational
needs OF the south may differ from those OF other
sections, they are sun in important sense ma
tonaI neeaS, ana must be considered IN the hight OF
national Ideals ana IN the spirit OF that broad
patriotism which regards sectional problems
vital elements ~ the life of the nation
The report is signed b. J, Z. Phillips. OF BiTming-