The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-04-28

Columbia, S. c., Apri 26-Ths
eighth annual conference for educa-
ton in the South began its session
here tonight. The conference was
opened with an address of welcome
by Governor D. c. Hayward, followed
by the annual address of the presi-
dent of the conference, Robert c. Og-
den. After this Dr. George H. Den
ny, president of Washington and |. zee
University made an address On
Southern Interpretation of the Con-
ference"
The ogden irain,' containing a
party Of ladies and gentlemen from
New York, Boston, Washington and
other northern cities arrived this af-
ternoon at $40, and are being enter
tanned in various homes in the city to
which they have been invited. The
party numbers 50, being composed of
educators, literary men and women,
and business men interested in edu-
cation. They came in over the Sea
board Air Line railroad on a special
train of ten Pullman cars, chartered
by Robert G. Ogden, of New YORK
The members of the party are guests
ON the nine days trip to the different
points in South Carolina, North Car
DINA and Virginia. During their stay
in Columbia, they, as well as the
many hundred other visitors mainly
from the southern states are guests
of the city of Columbia A party con
sisting of the mayor of the city. the
state superintendent of education
the city superintendent of education
Editor w. E. Gonzales, of the Colum-
bla State, two professors of the South
Carolina college. and several other
prominent citizens of Columbia mau
| the party at Hamlet, N. c., and es-
corted it into the state.
Every train coming into the city
brings from all points of the south
visitors to the conference.
The meetings of the conference arr
| held in the Columbia ,,Aeatre To
| night a large crowd was assembled
| the house being filleo to it's full ca
| pacity.
Governor Hayward in welcomin.
| the visitors said that although such
distinguished body would be welcome
upon any mission they were doubl,
welcome when they come "to promot,
a cause SO vital to our greatest in
terests, SO indispensable 10 the up
| building of our commonwealth" II,
| spoke of the problems to be discussed
| at the conference and said: wit.
the great growth of our country, som,
of these problems which were ono
| peculiarly southern are becomin,
| problems for the nation. You TOO
have your problems which some day
because of the wonderful commercial
and industrial growth of the South
will become our problem likewIsc
| The best solution Of any problem
which may confront a people lis tn
training and education of their child
| rem and hence it Is most fitting that w
| of the North and the South shoul
meet together as Americans to discus
and promote those things which ten
to elevate humanity, to uplift our cit
iZenship and to make permanent an
secure the true foundation upoE whicl
cur republic is Duilded."
/ O4 Tue DOuta ~
ing for education he said:
Il believe that the educators of tn
South have accomplished more durin
the past forty years for the educatio
Of the masses and for higher educa
ton than mas ever been accomplishe
by any people in the same length {
time. No people have ever worked 8
well. especially under the same difr
culties and in this work you hav
been accredited loyal support by the.
people. In their days or povertr +,
in their days Of prosperity, tn "a
payers of the South have shown a viii
ingness and a desire TO tax themselvs
to support schools, not only for the
own cnildren-the white children
the South-but also for the children
another and independent rae
Though often misunderstood. the:
have never let their hearts leave then
: they have never looked backward, bl
fCOnffnued on Fifth Pare