The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-28

the visitors said that although such
distinguished body would be well
come upon any mission they were
doubly welcome when they come ITO
promote a cause so vital to our great
est interests, so Indispensable to the
upbuildng of our commonwealth"
He spoke of the problems to be dis
cussed at the conference and said:
with the great growth of our
great country some of these problems
which were once peculiarly Southern
are becoming problems for the nation.
You, too, have your problem which
some day, because of the wonderful
commercial and industrial growth of
the South, will become our problem
likewise. The best solution o. any
problem which may confront a peo-
pie is the training and education of
their children and hence it is most
fitting that we of the North and South
should meet together as Americans
to discuss and to promote those things
which tend to elevate humanity, to
uplift our citizenship and to make
permanent and secure the true foun-
dation upon which our republic is
builded."
Speaking of what the South is do
ing for education, he said:
II believe that the educators of
the South have accomplished more
during the past forty years for the
education of the masses and for high
err education than has ever been ac-
complished by any people in the same
length of time. No people have ever
worked so we'll, especially under the
same difficulties and in this work you
have been accredited loyal support by
their people. In their days of poverty
and in their days of prosperity the
taxpayers of the South have shown
Willingness and desire to tax them.
selves to support schools, not only for
their own children--the white chill
dren of the south but also for the
children of another and a dependent
race. Though often misunderstood,
they have never let their hearts fail
them: they have never looked back
ward, but always forward and today
we can see in university and in col
lege, in graded school and in common
school, in better teachers and LANCER
terms, in prosperous people-a year
in smiling fields and growing cities
the result of their courage and de-
termination"
At the close of Governor Hayward s
address Robert Ogden, president of
tho conference, responded to the adj
dress of welcome in behalf of the con-
ference and delivered his annual adj
dress.
The next speaker was DR.. Denny.
president of Washington & Lee, which
institution he said with pride had a
part in the founding
DIR. Denny's Speech.
DR.. Denny's subject was "a South
ern Interpretation of the Conference"
and he referred to the various criti-
cisms which have been made by GER
tain daily newspapers in the South.
He said among other things thdt
among the critics of the conference
and it's motives are to be found those
who live in the past tense of the sub
junctive mood and 1.-The man who
would stir the ashes of an ancient
feud'' and who would dig up the bones
of the dead past. DR.. Denny discussed
the personnel of the conference, ex-
pressing the belief that if the charac-
ter of the men and women composing
it is high, then it cannot be bad. He
paid a high tribute to the men of the
South and the men of the North who
compose it, referring to governors of
States, and patriotic private citizens,
heads Of great universities and humble
school teachers, clergymen of many
communions, statesmen of all parties,
physicians, lawyers, bankers, planters,
merchants, editors and authors, repre-
sentatiyes of the head, the heart and
the hand of the country united in a
great cause and serving great ideal"
From whatever point of view" he
said in closing, this conference is
considered, Mr.. President, it is worthy
Of the sympathy and appreciation of
thoughtful, patriotic men, and / can
see no ground for difference between a
Northern and Southern Interpretation
of itS mission and itS DESTINY For If
it stands approved and justified by the
logic of three tests which we have en-
deavored to apply. tests by which we
judge the value of all human agencies
and human institutions, it must and it
will stand approved and justified in a
New York and every fair Judgment
based upon authentic facts, whether
that judgment be formed in the North
or in the South