The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1909-07-01
(By Horace D. Slater

sessions In it's history. More than
aoV Ceafhers, representing Is States
and the District of Columbia, attend
cd the meeting, and took vigorous
part IN the various discussions. The
betterment Of conditions in rural
schools, corrective measures to- be-
instituted for the good OF the young
poys OF, the race. and an, incessant
war on tuberculosis among the peo-
pie OF the race were strong features
or the work., and all other matters
were subordinated to these9 .s.
:. Higher education scarcelN had a
look In" and only squeezed on the
program when some lone member
rose from the floor and pleaded that
the advocates of the higher educa-
ton for the Negro be given, a hear
ing. TO- be sure higher education
was on the program, but it was to
nave been represented by some per-
sons who did not show up at the
meeting. 1t was left for President
Valentine, of Bennett College; Prof.
George A. Towne, of Atlanta Univer-
slty, and President James A. Bray,
or Miles Memorial College, to defend
IN 1mpromptu speeches the cause
mat they represented, and which.
despite the trend of public sentiment
IN the opposite direction, must vet
play an important art in the fuller
development Of the Negro.
4 For vigorous action, perseverance
ana pelief, in ones own ability to
make a movement "a success, COM
mend me to J. R. E.Lee, director of
Inc Academic department, Tuskegee
institute. With scant encourage
ment In the beginning,~ standing
alone and almost single-handed, he
mas succeeded in bringing to the as
ISOLATION a following of some of the
nest known and most prominent
teachers IN Negro schools. in the
GG1fntRys < =, 1sa. IT. ~ q
'sse =. Rowan, Of mississippi: Il: r.
Wright: Of Georgia; J. B:-Dudtey, OF
North Carolina; N. B. Young. Of
FLORIDA; ]. II. Jackson, of Kentucky,
and others, represented the AgricuI-
tural and Mechanical Colleges, and
similar institutions, drawing State
and Federal support; while Bennett,
Benedict Miles Memorial, Clark I'm
iVersity, Atlanta University and 9TH
er schools of similar character, were
we'll represented by presidents and
members Of the faculty.
What the organization lacked in
one way was made up In another.
Some Of the more youthful teachers
took prominent parts on the pro-
gram and in the discussions, and the
ladies' provided that brilliance and
dash, which many an organization
sadly lacks. The public schools were
we'll represented, there being repre-
sentatives from Chattanooga, Ashe-
Vile and other North Carolina points,
Washington, D.. c., louisville and
Winchester, KY, and many other
places.
The program was by far the most
interesting from every view point
that could have been prepared. The
keynote Of Negro education was
sounded. and the basis touched upon
when Dr.. J. H. Dillard, member Of
the Louisiana state board Of educa-
ton, and president Of the board for
the distribution Of the Jeanes Rural
school fund delivered a strong and
forceful address ON THE School in
the Background"
He admitted In the outset that q
portion Of the difficulties Negroes
encountered arose from a mistaken
Judgment on the part Of some and q
mistaken prejudice on the part of
others. He stated that education
was good for everybody, not only for
the individual, but for every one who
comes In contact with that being. In
his address Of some length, Dr.. Dill
lard said:
More and more it Will be seen
that justice Is not only the best poll
cy, but that 1T is the righteous course
to be pursued in the settlement Of all
great problems. More and more it
will be seen that all great human
problems can be settled Alright. There
are in every state in the south
thousands Of the most earnest and
thoughtful white men, who wish you
we'll in your effort to lift the race to
higher planes, intelligence, effcieycy
and character. 1t is inevitable that
the. policy OF these men will more
and more prevail"
Short Term n Waste.
Coming Immediately to the con-
siderati0n Of the country schools,
the speaker said:
Sometimes the schools for Ne
groes in the rural districts. are open
but two, three or four months In the
year. In this way, states and coun-
ties are actually wasting great
amount Of money. These country
schools are bound to constitute for
the Negro race las it is for any other
race, Chat the lowest can not be left
behind without damage to the high
est" !. s,tta P@@ .'' .t.| 'r