The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-14
FOR BETTER SCHOOLS
AND BEST TEACHERS

The following Declaration OF Prin-
ciples"twas adopted by the 1000 stu
dents Of the Summer school of the
South, held at Knoxville July 4th:
We, the teachers md students OF
the sixth session OF the Summer School
OF the South, assembled upon this one
bundled and thirty-first anniversary OF
the Declaration OF Independence of
the United States OF America. with
profound gratitude to Almighty God
for the blessings of life, liberty and
free government. do set forth, as an
expression OF our patriotism and of
cur responsibility to enlarge and en-
rich the freedom which we this day
celebrate. the following declaration OF
l.ftrlnc!ples: }.f
i. The essential idea or democracy
| is opportunity made Sunivetsul--oppor-
tunity to every man. to live the life
of the highest meaning, to himself and
| tho largest service stD humanity.
4 H.. lnasmuch as the interrelations
\ of individual and public interests are
such that the Ignorance OF one indl-
/ sridual or of one class is a hindrance
to the larger liberties ana higher use
/ fulness Of every one, therefore the
\ education of all the children OF all
4 the people into the highest degree OF
/ efficiency IS the supreme duty OF our
democracy.
III. While we bear grateful testi-
r11ony to the sacrifices made in be-
4 half of education by the South in the
times CT poverty and desoation and
to the splendid advance being made
i in these brighter days. we may not
4 overlook the crying need In almost
/ schools. better equipment. better teach
4 ers, better salaries and longer terms
We appeal to the citizens Of every
i State to demand the education OF every
Il chlld--not as a luxury or privilege
but as an inalienable right Of the in.
diridual. asa necessary condition tc
the material as we'll as to the. intel.
!, lootual progress of the Commonwealth
as a patriotic duty and a guarantee Of
| lfree institutions. We pledge our con
tinued cooperation with the force!
. rev at work for the increase of loca
i Taxation and public appropriations to
+ ward those ends.
4 ". We commend the policy tina
: seeks to consolidate and centraliz,
, schools and to make these consolidated
: schools vital centres Of communit.
: life.
Y. Teaching in all its departments
from the rural schools to the univer
: sity. should be a profession sacredl,
I guarded. and not stepping stone t
= something else We therefore stan
s for the highest training OF teacher
n and superintendsnts. We call upon tn
e pfople to Danish forever politics an
: nepotism from the public schools o
q every grade and to establish once an
for all system in which ability an
f character alone shall be the standar
9 for appointment and promotion. z
n VI We rejoice in the enthusiasm
s. and progress in the upbuilding an
S development of high schools through
Z out the Southern States. The hig
r school Idea Is now dominant and tn
public high school Is everywhere af
: sorting It's rightful place as the hear
q OF our educational system. sending i,
: life-giNng influence down into tn
! primary schools and UP into The GO
= leges. The age of adolescence Is pre-
: emincntly the age for education. "