Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-12-23
From he RteAmo.a comp.ter.

This deiiberativo assemblage completed
IT'S iabors Saturday evening the lSti, inst.
and adjourned. lis proceedings attracted
much attention, and were Of a very inter.
esi,ng character. The common school
question was the only one thai occasion
ed division IN its councils. Upon that
question, at the starting point, there was
great diversity Of opinion /; but as Discus
sion Trogrcs sed, and the members examln-
ed more closely each others views, aud
appreciated more highly each others OBJ
Jecis, the spirit Of concession developed
itself, aud we have never seen n body
wherein there was n more generous exhi-
btion OF 1t. The consequence was, that,
important as the differences Of opinion
were at first thought, and as widely a.
part as notions were, a plan Was concoct-
ed which met almost fbe unanimous MP.
prevail of its members. TINS harmoni-
Gus result was CRAFTY ing TO the friends Of
The cause, Tor 1t was upon the common
school question that il Was feared a dlvi.
SION would be made that could not be-
healed during the brief space lha, the DO.
dy could be reasonably expected to re-
"a ~ . SSHbIl.
DIR. Plumer defended with great ability
The present school system, urging the pro.
prlety and %expedIeDc oil adhefiDg 10 that,
and taking. measures to increase It's efficl-
ency, by blending with it the plan of
county taxation. He commended that the
system was the best that could be devised
under existing circumstances. he thought
that the sparseness Of our population rem.
dered impossible the adoption of the dis
trict free school system.
The leaders in the debate were DIR. p.
and the Rev. Benz. NJ. Smith, of Angus.
ia the latter being the author Of the re-
port on Common Schools. Mr.. s., is
very young looking man bur the spirit
with which he encountered DR.. p, who
is a giant in debate, gained him much
credit. He arose, after an argument a.
gainst his report, that seemed overwhelm-
ing from its ability severity and elo-
quence, with a composure and self. posses.
sion that was admirable, and entered upon
his reply. He proved himself a skilful
drbater, and acquitted hims, II hnn6 some
iy; both IN the talent and Jiscr tior he
evinced, and The courtesy aud propriety
OF his bearing towards his respected an
taeon'st. Mr.. Robert G.. Scott, second.
ed Ar, s., with "A very strong argument.
The report advocated the District Free
School system. As amended it was very
much changed in form but most Of its
main principles were retained. Alter it
was fully amended, DIR. Plumer offered a
substitute for il, setting forth hrs views,
which was rejected.
The other four reports were agreed TO,
with little or no alteration, but with some
additions. The report Of the Committee
on Colleges, was amended by the add.
ton of some very proper resolutions with
to our Medical College.
After getting through the reports, Pro.
lessor Hardy moved the adoption ofthe
following resolutions, which were agreed
to
ReSolced, That this Convention listen
with the greatest satisfaction TO the ell
oquent and well digested address, delv-
cred last friday evening, by our yener.
able President.
Resolred, furthermore, That a commit
tee of three be appointed TO express the
gratitude OF this Convention TO the Presi-
don't, for his excellent address, and re-
quest a copy Of the same for publication,
10 such a form as may hereafter be d.
In pursuance OF the second resolution,