Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-01-31
EDUCATION.

This Convention was holden ut Mildlebury on
the 18Th, aud we condense the proceedings from
the Peoples Press.
Hon. William q. Kitiridge of Fair Haven wus
called to the chair
Hon. Harvey Bell of Mildlebury, Secretary.
Business Committee
Professor Twining, Hon. E. N. Briggs of Bran
don, Ell. Haddock Of Cas,Ieton, Charles Adams,
Esq. of Burlington, and the Rev. Jesse l.. Peck
Messrs. Hon. w. C. Kittridge, d. w. c. Clark,
Esq. of Brandon, Rev. DIR. Merrill, of Mddebury.
Prof Albert Smith of MiddIebury college, Prof
Twining, and the Hon. l.. N. Briggs, each
introduced resolutions which were referred to the
Business Committee, who eventually reported
them all back for the action ofthe Convention.
Thomas A. Palmer of Pittsford, chairman of q
committee on Normal Schools, appointed at a
former meeting at Brandon, made an able and
valuable report accompanied with resolutions
which was accepted and the resolutions referred
to the business committee.
The following resolutions, after having been
modified and in some instances discussed at length,
we're successfully adopted.
BY Judge Kittrdge,
RESOLVED, That The instructions nculcated in our
primary schools, in addition to proper moral and
religious culture, should be principally elementary,
adapted alike 10 develope and naluro the intellect,
and communicate thorough knowledge of the
means and instruments whereby the minds of chill.
dren shall be prepared aud assisted to make fur
ther atainmenis in useful practical knowledge,
both literary and scie ntifc.
ResoIced, That we regard the prevailing method
OF communicating instruction in common
schools, us fundamentally wrong in the following
parllcuiars,viL. L. the employment of incompetent
teachers 9, the practice of Introducing into them
too great variety OF studies and B. the attempts
which are made to teach children branches Of
knowledge above their capacity,to the neglect ofel
emenury instruction. whereby children are taught
reading, photography and writing, and are thus
furnished with the means OF acquiring knowledge
BY MIR. Merrill,
Resolved, That any course of policy which
throws very large class of The most important Off
ces, civil, political aud religious, exclusively into
the hands off the rich, is contrary to the genius ind
tends TO subvert the principles of our government.
Resolved, That confine the apple alton of
public money appropriated for instruction exclu-
siveiy 20 primary schools, is ant-republcan in its
tendency, in as much as it does not enable the
poor TO give even to the most enterprsing and
mertorious of their sons the education which
must be acquired, in order successfully TO discharge
many of the highest offices in the community, or
within the reach of those who are qualified 10
promote its interests.
BY Prof Smith,
RESOLVED, That the common schools academies
and colleges which exist in this Stale, are neces-
sary parts ota system of education which ought
to lie established and cherished in every civilized,
and especially in every republican community
and that the relations of these institutions to each
other and the general interests Of education, are
such as to render it OF the highest importance that
they shond all he in fiourishing condition.
Resolped, That at the present time, no one of
these institutions stands III more pressing need OF
improvement than the Academies and that in Or
der that these institutions may accomplish The
greatest good of which they are capable, it is in
dispensble that higher requisites for admission, a
mn "a nrIrh aoFa
more liberal renume ration Of teachers, and giea
ter degree OF permanence in the subjects iaught
and the modes OF Instruction, should be in some
way secured.
RESOLVED, That the idea which extensively pre-
walls, that scientific education is necessary only
to those who are intende, for the learned profess
sons is at war with the fret principles of republi-
cansm and highly injurious to all the interests OF
society; that If It is important 10 maintain insliiu-
tons in which the small portion Of our youth who
TO become Clergymen, Lawyers and Physi-
clans may prepare themselves to understand the
theory of their professions, it is at least equally
important to furnish facilities by which the future
Agriculturs,s, Mechanics and Merchants, who
constitute the great mass Of community, may fit
themselves not only to exercise with skill the bu-
siness other several vocalions, but also fill with
honor the stations ofntluence 10 which they may
he called.
Re,otred, That in order to give to the great
body OF the people the means OF acquiring the
higher branches of an English education, il is ex-
ceedngly desirable that in our Academies the
Natural sciences, certain portions of the Malhe-
MATES, the application oflhe principles of science
TO the arts OF life, and other studies of practical
utility should lie taught IN m extensive and thor
ough manner that to the accomplishment OF this
Object il is Indispensable that these institutions
should be placed on broader foundation, and fur
nshed with more liberal edowments than they
fiaufil 10 1t,tu tl.a
and government of the State, to besiow the re-
qnsite funds TO provide all our youth with the
means OF acquiring a scientific education.
by MIR. Clark, rs modified with his consent by
the amendments of President Wheeler of the
Vermont University aud President Labaree of
Mddebury College.
ResOlped, That education is the great and fun
damental interest of the State, and should be car
ed for by the legislature of the State.
Resolced, That the various parts OF the organi-
cation by which the public interest is conducted,
are alike matters ofpublic interest, that the col
eges are constituted for the benefit ofno part less
than the whole public, any more than the acade-
mics are, and that the academies are constituted
for no part less than the whole public, any more
than the common schools are and that the com.
mon schools are constituted for the benefit of the
whole public, as truly as the colleges and acade-
mics; they are parts OF one system and thus parts
OF each other.
Resolved, That while the Convention have no
distinct plan OF their own to recommend, they
cannot but express the opinion, that the mutual
dependence and reciprocal influence Of the differ
ent parts of the system of education in this State,
are not as effective as they might be advantage
ousy made.
RESOLVED, That in taking care of the public in
teress Of education, the object which our present
system contemplated iu the beginning, should be
carefully inquired into, that II may 10 known how