Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-09-19

New-York on the Sd, 4th and 9th of May,
1889. the following resolutions, proposed
byProfesso Brooks of MASSACHUSETTS, were
marurely considered aud unanimously
adopted, viz,
"Rssolued, Tha, it is cxpedient 10 hold
National Convention for Que week IN 'he
"Ilall of independence" at Philade!ph'a'
beginning on the 22d OF November neS'; -. DIT
10 O'Clock, A. NJ, for the purpose oil o's,
cussing the various topics connected
with elementary education in the Cn''ed
States.
"Resoived, That committee OF tlvc be
appointed 10 request the Governor (and. II
in session, the Legislalure.) OF each STATE
In the Union to invite the friends OF edu-
cation in their Stale to attend the Convcn-
ton" (Copy CJ fccordS.j
The undersigned, having been appointed
to form the committee. do now, In ohcdi-
,ence to their instructions, respectfully ad-
dress you on this paramount SUBJECT
The American Lyceum, in taking meas
sures to carry into effect the above resolu-
tions, expresses its deep anxiety for the
proper physical. intellectual aud moral
culture otevery child in the United States.
Itis ascertancd thai, as many as nineteen
out oc twenty children, who receive IN
,struc,ion, receive it III the common schools.
These schools therefore mus, be with us
the hope of civilization, liberty and virtue.
To elevate them so aS,o meet the wants
of our republic, is the high and single aim
nfthc Convention. Parties in politics and
sects in religion will not for moment be
recognized in any form. No power will
be vested in The assembly. 1t will be, we
trust, a company Of philan'hropisls, palri-
OILS and Christians coming together in the
spirit of an expansive benevolence. to con-
suit for the hish hest good of the rising gem
Grafton; aud whose deliberations and re-
suits, when published to the country, will
bring the great cause of Education slmula-
neouslv before the several States in form
for enlightened, definite aud successful ac-
ton. As subservient TO this humane and
patriotic object, we would suggest a few
among the many topics which will demand
the consideration of the meeting, viz:
How many children are there in each
State who, according to the laws oflhat
Stale, should be under instruction? How
many of this number are found in the
schools What is the condition of the
common schools in each State! What is
the organization of the school system T.
What branches of knowledge should he
taught in our common schools ? What
should be the character of our common
school books! How may school apparat-
us and school libraries be made most sue
full? In what branches should instruction
he given orally, and in what degree =
What should be the qualifications Of teach
crs? Are normal schools for seminaries
for the preparation Of teachers) desirable?
On what plan should they be established ?
Is central normal school for the Union
desirable? Should it be under the dircc-
ton CT Congress or society of citizens !
What connection should the common
schools have with academies, colleges and
universities What models for school
houses are best? Will BOARD of Ed
uca,ion," established by each State, afford
the best supervision and secure the highest
improvement of the schools How can
itincrant teachers and lecturers hest sup
ply destitute places2 Is national system
Of instruction desirable? How should a
school-tund be applied In what parr ofthe
State has the greatest progress been,made
in elementary education? How may
school statistics, which must he the basis
Of legislation, be most easily collected q
What features ofthe systems now in opera
tion in Holland, Germany, Prussia, France
and Great Britain, may he most usefully
adopted in this county?
FELLOW CITIZENS The discussion of
these and kindred topics will probably eli
cit mass Of information, the importance
Of which cannot be easily overstated. We
would therefore urge those, who shall at
tend The Convention, to come prepared for
making known the valuable facts they
can gather. Believing tha, all the ,alcnt
Of Il country should be so tempted forth,
by iudicious culture, as to bring it Inlo
profitable and harmonious action; that it
is important to the public good as we'll as
to private happiness, that we should re-
ceive the requisite supply of useful in(or-
nation; and that each faculty which the
Creator has implanted in childhood should
be developed in its natural order, proper
time aud due proportion, we invite you 10
secure the attendance Of delegates from
your State prepared 10 promote this first
duty ofour republic--rEE EDUCATION OF
OUR YOUTH, Believing that our country
must look to intelligence as its defence and
10 virtue as its liCe-bood; and that the
plannow proposed, originating in inc most
enlightened views Of freedom aud hulnani-
1y, will be the first in a series Of means for
securing the greatest good to future gen.
era,ions, not only among Us, but our sister
republics, the Lyceum desires to bring into
a focus all The light which can be collected
in our land. Some Of the most dislin-
grished gentlemen in several States have