Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-05-28
u ID U o a IN 7 O. ~ .
ADDRESS
Of The State Central Committee 10 he Friends
J Popular Education in VIrpinia
ADDRESS

Fellow-Citizens: At the Education Convention
held IN Richmond last December, the following
resolutions were unanimously adopted.
LIST: Resotccd, That this Convention deem the
united, ana systematic. and continued support and
care OF the friends Of Popular Education of the
most Vita Importance to the preservation or sue
cess OF any system which tie Legislature NAV a
dept, and ior the purpose Of securing it, and of
awakening ana Keeping alive the interest of the
people on the subject,
I'd. Rcsoiced. That this Convention do appoint
a Central Copmittee of thirteen, resident at the
seas OF governments. whose duty shall be to collect
and dlf'ise information upon the subject of Popular
Educatlon and by correspondence and co operation
with the several county and town Associations
hereinafter recommended to watch over and pro
mote the success of such system as may be adopted
ny tne Legislature, ascer'anlng both its advantages
and detects, for the purpose of recommending such
measures as may improve the former, and remedy
the latter N'
3D. Rcsotccd, That this Convention do respect
'y ana MOST earnestly recommend to the people of
every county and town in the State the early for
nation or permanent associations of the friends of
soucator, Tor the purpose of projecting its interests
promoting the success of the State system and of
observing It's operation and suggesting amendments
That 1t be recommended to such Associations TO
keep up correspondence with The Central Com
nittee and State Superintendent, obtaining from
thein and dlffusng such information as they NAV az
FORD, ana to lose no opportunity OF exciting and pre-
serving the interesl of the people in the cause of
Popular Education by frequent public addresses.
lectures and discussions.
4ih' ResolUcd, That the Central Committee be
empowered to appoint committees in each county
ana borough, with power to add 10 their numbers in
tins Commonwealth, who shall be charged with the
auy oil urging upon the people in their respective
usrc'S the organization proposed in the Sd resol-
ton, and who shall perform the duties of such AS
soclatlons until the same shall be formed
9th. Rcsolced, That the delegations from the
counties and boroughs represented i'm this Copyen-
ton, be requested 10 depcsite with the chairman of
the Central Committee the names of suitable per
SONS to compose the committees i'm their respectiye
counties and towns.
. 9th. Resolred, That the members of this Con
venton pledge themselves 10 ,se all proper exer-
tons to carry out the Objects proposed in the fore
going resolutions
In discharging the duty assigned us we deem it
proper TO invite your attention TO the importance of
the measure proposed by the Sd resolution.
History, not less than common experience, i'm
presses Upon his the utility of permanent organize
mons In all general efforts TO repress evil or establish
good Wherever public wrong, dangerous to the
Liberties of the people, to the well being of so
cletyi has found an Observation-Disclosures political
or moral revolution, demanded by the PATRIOTS of
III.
the conviction that individual efforts avail but little
In so great work, has led them, as one important
means OF efficiency, to form themselves into penna.
nent societies by such means information has
been received and diffused calculated TO stimulate
guide and control their action, and united strength
obtained su.iiclento remove the most formidable OBJ
St;iceS, and often TO secure the happiest success
10 the want of such permanent Union of the
friends OF Popular Education is be attributed no
doubt In some degree the barren result of the fire.
quent efforts which have been made by them i'm Vr
ginia. From the period when Mr. jefferson devised
his system of general education to the present day
many of our wsest and best patriots, deplorinr the
deep disgrace which the ignorance of SO large
portion of our people brought upon the State, have.
at different times resolved to eface this blot from
her otherwise fair fame. With that view. popular
assemblies have been appealed to, conventions have
been held, resolutions adopted, plans proposed
But no sooner had those assemblies dissolved those
conventions separated, than each member felt that
dispersed and isolated, they were powerless to ac-
compliSh their object Without the means of mI-
tually communicating information; unless at great
labor and eXpenSe-wltliout union of thought or ac-
ton, their strength gone; either to give author
lty to their suggestions, or to execute their plans
Had the best system of public schools ever known
or which could be devised, been proposed by them
and enacted by the Legislature. il could never have
been put into successful operations without the voi
iant united; well Uniformed and well directed efforts
or Its friends TO protect it from misunderstanding;
prejudice and cavll. The experience and practice
of other States attest the importance OF such asso
cations. and fully confirm the views we express
In thu States of New York. Massachusetts. Con
nectlcut and Rhode Island; which have brouoL.
thelr school systems to higher degree of pertec-
uon than have any other of the States of our Union
an organization Of the friends of education. similar
to that proposed by us, has been found eminentlv
conducive to the admirable success they have there
attained.
The Convention 10 which we have referred
deeply impressed with the importance of this inca
sure as one means Of ensuring permanent success
devolved Upon their Central Committee the duty of
appointing III each town and county of the State, a
committee who might procure in their several towns
and counties the establishment of Associations in
with tie Central Committee. and init
inateiy allied with each other In performing this
du'y, difficulties have been experienced, which will
at once suggest themselves TO every mind Some
have been appointed, of whose sentiments we were
not well informed. Others have doubtless been
omitted, whose ability, zeal and influence would
render them most desirable members OF such com
mlttees. we hope, therefore, that while none
who may be lndisposed to serve on these commit
tees, will receive unfavoraby this testimonial of
our desire TO have their cooperation all who wotld
have been wiling 10 do so, but have been omitted
WI, 'o''Suoi themselves authorized by higher
authority than our appOnInent-their own patriot
ism and the prompdngs of duty-to aid in estab-
ishing and maintaining permanent Education As
sociations.
The benefits to the cause Of Education. resulting
from such bodies, can scarcely be fully estimated
By their fundamentally, public meetings will be
held, and public speakers engaged, to interest the
great body OF the community, on whose support
Public Schools must depend. Unfortunately, even
in 10 .CNx rnttc a.
been made, experience has shown that faithful ser
vice on the part of the friends OF ihis cause is ne
ceSsary TO give 1t Just protection. It is not I'd be
dcnIed That many good and practical mon are nnpocd