The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-13

lacious smile OF building the house
from the roof downwards. They knew
that, however apt the comparison OF
the University to the keystone of the
arch or the Gaping stone of the
building, it must in truth be the foun-
dation stone upon which all should
rest securely and by plumbing with
which all should be built up, true and
four square. Light filters downward if
it is to reach all the dark corners of
the land. For two reasons at least a
University was first necessary. A Senti-
ment in favor of education must be
created by having trained and educa-
ted leaders in every community and
teachers must be provided for the
people. A totally ignorant community
has neither appreciation of nor de-
sire for education. 1t knows nothing
better and is content with it's ignor-
ance unless stirred up by the example
and influence of those who have had
the blessing of the light. 1t is true to-
day and it was true in the days OF the
fathers-that no public. school sys-
tenn is possible without a strong, we'll
equipped University.
The founders of the University were
not disappointed. Archibald ID. Muir
phey, one OF the first graduates and a
member of the faculty of the UniVer-
sity, devoted his education and his
strength to this great service and in
troduced in the General Assembly the
first bill looking to. the establishment
of a State system. Later in co-opera-
ton with Bartlett Yancey and other
University men he secured the setting
aside of the Literary Fund which was
devoted to this purpose.
Then followed Calvin H. Wiley an
other son of the University, whose de-
voted labors justly entitle him to the
name of the father of the public
school system of the State. With
horse and buggy he visited county
after county, stirring up the people,
influencing legislation and building up
what was certainly the best public
school system in the South. 1t is diff
ficult to estimate what the State owes
this man. If statues are raised to
those who have done noble service his
claims are among the foremost.
After the desolation of war and So
called reconstruction the State had to
face this problem of the education of
the people with all the discourage
ments of poverty and the burden OF
an ignorant, deluded, alien race, with
bitter racial antagonismS. The Uni
versity stood bankrupt and disman-
tied. But the problem was bravely
faced and hopefully taken up. All
began to teach and to build up the
waste places. In 1875 the doors OF
the University were opened once
more In 1877 the first summer
school for teachers in the South was
established and hundreds of teachers
were trained and encouraged. In five
years such men as Aycock, MclYer,
Alderman, Joyner, Noble, Pell ana
other enthusiastic workers were sent
| tn Some
| these men began the establishment OF
graded schools, others taught in the
| neglected mountain caves, others held
| county institutes for training teachers
until nearly every county in the state
was covered And the men themselves
grew, fired with their great purpose OF
the uplifting of a strong people, till
McIver built up that splendid school
| for women, the State Normal College
| Alderman took charge of the leading
educational institution in the South
Joyner gave himself to the direction
of the States educational forces, and
Aycock became the educational gov
ernor. leading in all wise plans for
the development of the children OF
the State-her greatest and noblest
resources.
Year after year the University sent
forth bands Of trained teachers and
leaders: superintendent and princi-
pals for the graded schools, for pri-
vate schools, for little country schools;
county superintendents and others who
should help in this work. Some forty
per cent of the graduates have taken
UP this work as the nearest and most
necessary duty, and through them
thousands have been trained for the
primary schools of the State.
The University has nobly proved
the wisdom of the fathers in theil
plans for a trained and educated citi-
zenship She stands to-day the head
of a great system. wide awake to hel
duties and privileges. efficient in hei
wise leadership, indispensable for
people who would be free and would
hold their proper place in the world
doing their share of the worlds work
Independent of individuals, above al
States most priceless jewel and
should be the pride of every true
North Carolinian and her welfare his
most precious CHARGE
Chapel Hill N. c., Aug. 10.