The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-05-10
The Southern Educational Conferece

During Thursday and Friday Of
last week our capital city was honored
by the presence of the eigth session of
the Southern Educational conference.
The conference was attended by
representative educators from nearly
every part of the state. There were
also superintendents of education from
many of the southern states together
with preachers, business men and
teachers. Of course a conference of
this kind of people ought to have the
encouragement of everybody. But
unfortunaly for this meeting, it hap
pened to contain some members from
across the line. Among these were
DR.. Ernest Hamlin Abbott, Mr.. R. G.
Ogden, Mr.. S. A. Clair McKelway
and others. The presence of these it
seems has spoiled the broth for many
of one worthy citizens, who take it as
an invasion and menace. Such a
view however is absurd to one who
has heard the views of such repsena-
tive men as Mr.. Low of Brooklyn,
Mr.. Mckelway of the Brooklyn Eagle
and Mr.. Abbott of the Outlook.
"What is the use of it?" This is
the question that lots of people are
asking. The query can be satisfac-
torily, answered to those who arenot
ruled by qryjudice. If the movement
had done no more than bring together
the better elements north and south,
it would have served a worthy pur-
purpose. Governor Hayward, speed
ing the parting guests, said, II have
learned one thing about these North
ern people, that is that they are just
like other folksw We ought to feel
the truth of this; and the conference
has brought 1t home to US.
1t may be well to mention here the
fact that there is no desire on, the
part of the Southern element to i'm
pose it's peculiar views on others.
Neither do our northern brothers
wish to impose their peculiar views on
us. There is no negro question before
this conference. It has been agreed
that education is the question; and
since the southern people only have the
negro to educate, it is strictly ques-
ton for the South to discuss, and not
for the conference. ...
Then there is another service the
conference is rendering, Thursday
morning was devoted to addresses by
state superintendents of education,
who exchanged experiences and opin-
ions. This meeting of the minds of
educators, and this discussion of the
question which they are interested in
brings out the advantages and faults
which each may have. 1t is the best
way to get all the advantages and the
fewest possible faults.
Many members of this conference
are also members of another conference
which has plenty at it's back. 1t is
reasonable to suppose that this other
organization may be interested in
education in the South enough to
give US help in this way if we choose
to have it 80. The conference may
prove a benfit in this way also.
1t claims our attention, for it is q
national movement of no mean i'm
portance.
Of course ithas ONE opposition, bnt
its opposition only advertises it, brings
it before the people. But this opposi-
ton does not prove it worthless.
Wycliffe and Martin Luther both had
opposition if we remember rightly.
We think it is good thing. may it
live long and prosper.
F. w. Bradley
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