The news & observer., 1905-04-27

questions which affect national life in
the aggregate though apparently con-
corning only localities in common
Wealths.
At repeated intervals he was ac-
corded rounds of applause, at times
from visitors, but as often from APP
proving constituents.
Robert c. Ogden, president of the
conference, responded in a happy
vein, reviewing it's accom- slished work.
detailing it's origin, plans and policy.
He paid a magnificent tribute to
Southern courage and sacrifices since
the war which had wrought, unaided
and too often interfered with, such
marvellous results in industrial, COM
mercial, moral and educational uplift.
Address of Ogden
In opening Mr. ogden spoke at
some length on the objects and his
tory of the conference. Although this
conference he said, has no organic
relation to any official educational
body of authority, it yet has a very
deep community of interest with the
Southern Education Board, the Gen
eral Education Board, and in a lesser
degree with the board of trustees of
the Peabody fund, and the board of
trustees of the Slater fund.
'TheSe several boards are so thor
oughly co-ordinated and sympathetic
that every facility created by any is
at the command of each and the COM
mOnage of aim is so perfect that waste
by duplication or competition is I'M
possible.
'"The Peabody board with its benefi-
cent work for general education III
the South has been we'll known for
a generation, and the Slater board
in its service to negro education for
more than twenty years To these al
lied organizations the Hon. j. l.. M.
Curry gave over twenty of the rich
and mature years of his life in de-
voted labor as general agent. Con-
corning the other two, the Southern
Education Board and the General
Education Board, information is again
requested as part of the burden OF
your chairman's opening remarks
'"The character of the conference
has already been considered at some
length, but to answer the requests for
information some historic facts arc
needed. It passed the three earlier
years of it's life in the calm and beau
tiful repoSe of Capon Springs. Earnest
spirit, strong expression and large in
telligence marked the assemblies OF
these early years, but the conditions
were rather academic than aggressive.
Nevertheless the seed that was sown
there fell upon prepared ground took
deep root, and later brought forth
much fruit. With the fourth year at
Winston-Salem the conference found
itself. The ringing words of Curry,
Dabney, Dickerman, Aycock, McIver,
and others, presented q panorama OF
appealing conditions that kindled q
flame of earnestness which burns With
more warmth and brilliance each pass
ing year. At Winston-S Salem in 1901
the thought of the Southern Educa-
tion Board took form. In November
of that year it was created under most
Interesting circumstances. Six of the
eight original members were Southern
men by birth or residence. BY SIM
pie and forceful methods q systematic
campaign for education was inaugu-
rated that stretched from the Potomac
to beyond the Mississippi, and from
the Ohio to the seaboard. This board
has no money to give. 1t is simply
the evangel of the public school, car
rying forward persistently q campaign
for popular education, striving to
awaken in the minds, especially of
rural communities, a knowledge of