The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-01-07
EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

The nineteenth annual meeting OF
the Southern Educational Association
was held this year at Atlanta, Decem-
Der 29-30-31. Considering the large
territory within tho boundaries Of
the organization-fifteen states-the
attendance seemed less than might
have been expected; doubtless dis
lance and expense kept many away.
Not a few whose names were on the
printed program failed to respond
when called. The rank and file Of
teachers were not present, the lead
ers of education were; and the pro-
gram thruout was an able one.
The personnel OF the assembly was
of a high and scholarly order. The
per cent OF those who had reached or
passed lifes meridian was larger than
in a similar gathering in the north.
There was, accordingly in the papers
a maturity of thought and in the dis
cussions a righteousness which made
them unusually suggestive and prac-
teal They treated for the most part
some one of the various phases Of
popular education now crowding to
the front in the southland, the normal
high school, farm schools, Industrial,
normal, preparatory; the college and
university. Some forms of these
schools are new and experimental;
their several advocates realized that
they are pioneers and must proceed
with caution If they are to win out"
in securing the favor of the public.
Much emphasis was laid upon the prac-
tical side, Corn roots are better for
o boy than Latin roots" oracularly
declared one speaker. But that de-
ponds upon the far off ultimate pro-
duct, whether whiskey or wisdom!
For the first time in its history, |
was told, the Association put upon
its program the topic of negro educa-
ton and gave 1t the prominent place
1t deserves. The session was one Of
the liveliest, and most interesting of
them all. President Meserve of Shaw
University. DIR. Jones of Hampton In
stitute, the agents of the Jeanes
Fund and of the Slater Fund, Chan
cellor Barrow of the University Of
Georgia, and DIR. Phillips, Superlnten-
dent of schools at Birmingham, Ala,
Ex-Governor Northern and Governor
Hoke Smith were principal speakers
1t would seem that some misconcep-
lions and misunderstanding must
have been removed. All agreed that
the negro must be educated and
that the foot of the educational lad
der must rest securely on the ground;
but there was difference of opinion as
to how high up he should be encourag-
ed-or allowed-to climb. The prevail
ing sentiment was to saw the ladder
square off just below the ninth rungi
But this was by no means unanimous
The politicians are both men of fine
presence and natural orators. They
took radically different views of both
the race problem and its solution. Ex-
Governor Northern eloquently pleaded
for exactly equal educational advant-
ages for both races,-just so far as
each could take il. He is an orator,
broad-visioned, facing the future, an
optimist, a Christian. Governor Hoke
Smith claimed it all wrong to encour-
age the negro to hope for leadership;
that he can be trained, but not edu-
Gated; that in ante-bellum days the
slave could do things better and had
a better character than his descen-
dant today He, too, is an orator, but
narrow-visioned, facing the past, a
pessimist, a pagan.
The general situation of education
IN the southland is most encouraging
New legislation is being enacted. An
lucrative supervision is being central
lied in the state and county super
intendents. The county high school,
is on its way,-has already arrived in
not a few counties. Farm schools and
trade schools are meeting with much
favor and may win for themselves
permanent place. The normal
schools are crowded. The rising tide
of material property spends some of
its force in frightening the school
term and in increasing meager sal
aries. State legislatures are making
most generous appropriations for the
institutions under their care. North
ern benevolence still finds its way
to and consecrated use in the Christ
ian academy and college. The income
from various trust funds, such as the
Jeanes. the Sage. the Carnegie and
m hare will uioalv fran ot ba,, oil tb;e,