The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-14

 the world and particularly of this coun- try today. She should stand for educa- ton and all that makes mankind more elevated and better. She is today, in this country the foremost advocate of education, beginning at the tender age of those suited for the Kindergarten instruc- ton. and reaching out with her infu- ence to all classes who need her help. So great has been her influence, aided by men consecreated to higher princ
 pies and higher living that today un- Versal education is considered SO essen tial for the welfare of man that the principal nations have made 1t compu- sory, and not alone for the favored classes. but for the children of the com mon people. It is everywhere now re- garded unsafe for the state to raise ig- noraDt men. Some one has said that ignorant men are like bombs-which are a great deal better shot Into an enemys camp than to be kept at home-for where an ignorant man goes off he scatters des- olatlon for an ignorant man Is an anil nal. and the stronger his passions and the feebler his intellect and conscience, the more dangerous he is.' Therefore, all countries have joined hands in one thing-and that is. that it Is best to edu- cate the peoples children from the high est to the lowest everywhere.
 Every mechanic, miner, farmer and every person in any avoeation would be all the better fitted and all the more successful If equipped with an education and thus equipped there would be a bet ter understanding between capital and labor.
 Greatest Factor.
 The greatest factor for the good of the tOdaU is her schools Their effect, not only on our native child ren, but on the children of immigrants, is wonderful. Some one has said that 'ithe common schools are the stomach of the republic, and when a man goes in there he comes out, after all, Amer ican" We hold that the state Is strong in the proportion in which every in dividual in that state Is free and inde- pendent? We are attempting to teach so, 900, 600 of people how to conduct a gov ernment of self-control by knowledge and intelligence Knowledge of things here tofore limited to small classes Is being disseminated. While men are growing more profound in the knowledge of law science, jurisprudence and medicine etc., we have the people at large knowing something about all these things. Some one has said that the woman who has raised six children knows more about medicine than the village doctor a hun dred years ago. Those who are dis posed to discredit woman's capabilities must not forget some of the ways in which she has been a great benefactor in advancing the material progress of the country. Mrs. Jacquard invented the Jac- quard loom. woman invented the printers roll a woman invented the cot ton gin, although a man got the credit of it: a woman invented the sewing ma chine: woman discovered the secondary use of the slipper. and she first discovered the meannesses of men-and II Is uniVer- sally admitted that she discovered and first used smokeless powder
 The matter of education Is of particular interest to the people of this state at this time-and while we bow with shame in acknowledgment of the fact that Alabama is the third from the bottom in the list of lliteracy, l believe it is true that we are awakening, somewhat at least, to the sense of our great responsibility and are willing to acknowledge that in matters of education. at least we are our brothers s keeper It Is particularly gratifying to note that at the recent commencement ex- ercises of our schools and colleges there has been much enthusiasm in the interest of education of ad classes that Is striking ly interesting l believe our people are beginning to feel their power to do great things, and we are making progress along all lines of agricultural. industrial and commercial deVelopment-thus in- creasing our wealth-we must see to 1t that the dark shadows of ignorance are dissipated, and that the shackels which letter the limbs and souls of the ignorant and uneducated shall be stricken off. and that we will finally have an educated and enlightened citizenship that will bring great honor and prosperity to our wonder ful state It is gratifying to know that our women are taking an active and lead ing part in this great uplifting movement. and that their hearts go out in sympathy to every unfortunate class; and they are setting an example to men which l think We dare not refuse to follow. As you young ladies go forth from the academic halls. where your cares have been light, you will necessarily meet the graver re- responsibilities of life. You must take your place in the fighting line Lighting used fguratlyey only), for the training you have received fits you for intelligent and difficult work-work which you cannot do by proxy N natever you may undertake you will meet with difficulties, but they should not discourage you. IL Is not wise that we should lead passive life. which is inclined to avoid or go around the obstacles that we meet in the