Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-23
From the Compiler.
EDUCATION CONVENTION.

rms deliberative assemblage completed it's la
Dors Saturday evening and adjourned. Its pro-
ceedlngs attracted much attention, and were of q
! very interesting character. The common school
| question was the only that occasioned divi-
sion in its councils. Upon that question, at the
starting point, there was great diversity of o.
| pnion; but as discussion progressed, and the
members examined more closely each others
views, and appreciated more highly each others
objects, the spirit OF concession developed ITSELF
and we have never seen body wherein there
was more generous exhibition of it. The con-
sequence was, that, important as the differences
OF opinion were at first thought, and widely apart
as notions We're, plan was concocted which met
almost the unanimous approval Of the members.
we shall publish 1t tomorrow. This harmonic
GUS result was gratifying to the friends of the
cause; for 1t was upon the common school ques-
ton, that 1t was feared division would be made
that could not be healed during the brief space
that the body could be reasonably expected to re-
| main in session.
DIR. Plumer defended with great ability the
present school system, urging the propriety and
expectancy OF adhering to that, and taking meas
ures to increase its efficiency, by blending with
1t the plan OF county taxation. He commended
that the system was the best that could be devil
sed under existing circumstances. He thought
that the sparseness of population rendered i'm
possible the adoption Of the district free school
system.
The leaders i'm the debate were Dr. p. and the
Rev. Benz. M. Smith Of Augusta; the latter be-
Ing the author of the report on Common Schools
Mr.. Smith is very young looking man; but the
spirit with which he encountered Dr. p, who is
giant in debate, gained him much credit He
arose, after an argument against his report, that
seemed overwhelming from its ability, severity
and eloqnence with composure and selfposses-
sion that was admirable, and entered upon his
reply. He proved himself skilful debater and
acquitted himself handsomely both in the talent
and discretion he evnced, and the courtesy and
Proprley Of his bearing towards his respected an
tagonist. MIR. Robert @. Scott, seconded Mr. S.,
with very strong argument The report adyo-
Gated the District Free School system. As a.
mended it was very much changed in form bu,
most OF its main principles were retained After
it was fully amended, DIR. Plumer offered a snb
sttute for it, setting forth his views, which was
rejected.
The other four reports agreed to, with
little or no alteration, but with some additions
The report of the Committee on Colleges, was
amended by the addition of some very proper res
solutions with regard TO our Medical COLLEGE.
After getting through the reports, Professor,
Hardy moved the adoption of the following reso
lutions. which were agreed to:
Resolved, That this Convention listened with
the greatest satisfaction to the eloquent and well
digested address delivered last (Friday) evening.
10y our venerable President, James NJ. Garnett
Esq.
Resolved, furthermore, That a committee of
three be appointed to express the gratitude of
this Convention 10 the President for his excel.
lent address, and request copy of the same for
publication, in such form as may hereafter be
directed.
In pursuance Of the second resolution, the fol-
lowing gentlemen were appointed committee
Professor Hardy, DR.. Fra,.k Carr, and Mr.. JOHN
B. Minor.
On motion Of Mr.. Minor,
Resolved LIST, That the President Vice Pres
iJents and Secretaries of this Convention. and
Judge John b. Clopton, r. G.. Scott, Esq. Dr.
Lewis w. Chambcflayne, Thomas Richie, Esq
j. Is. Thornton. Esq. and DR.. Thomas p Mitchell, !
be a committee to embody the principles appro-
we'd by this Convention, (adopting as far as pos
'i5ie, the language employed by the Convention, |
IN memorial to the Legislature, and take the !
proper steps to have it duly presented to the Cen
sral Assembly,
Resolved, End. That the primary education of
iII,belng, in the opinion Of this Convention, pre-
important, that subject should be sepa-