Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-06-11
address


y Fellow-C Citizens: At the Educauon Ion
I ycntion held in Richmond last December, the
following resolutions were UNANIMOUSLY acop-
ted:
lst. ResoIped, That this Convention deem
the united, and systematic, and continued sup
port and care OF the friends Of Popular Educa-
ton OF the most vital importance to the perser-
walton or sucsess OF any system which the
Legislature may adopt, and for the purpose OF
securing il, and of awakening and keeping
alive the interest of the people in the subject
3D. Resolved. That this Convention do APP
poin, a Central Committee of Thirteen, resident
at the seat Of government, whose duty shall be
10 collect and diffuse information upon the
subject Of Popular Education; and by cores
pondence and cooperation with the several
county and town Associations, hereinafter re-
commended. to watch over and promote the
success Of such system as may be adopted by
the Legislature, ascertaining both It's adyania-
ges and defects, for the purpose oil recommen-
ding such measures as may improve the form
or, and remedy the latter.
3d. Resolred, That this Convention do res
pectfully and most earnestly recommend to
the people of every county and town IN the
State, the early formation of permanent asso-
cations of the friends of Education, for the
purpose of protecting its interests. promoting
the success Of the State system, and of obsery
ing its operation and suggesting amendments.
That il be recommended to such Associations
to keep up correspondence with the Central
Committee and State Superintendent. obtain
ING from them and diffusing such information
as they may afford, and to lose no opportunity
of exciting and preserving the interest of the
people in the cause of Popular Education by
frequent public addresses, lectures and discus
slons.
! 4th Resolved, That the Central Committee
be empowered TO appoint committees IN each
county and borough, with power to add to
their numbers, in this Commonwealth, who
shall be charged with the duty of urging upon
the people in their respective districts the or
ganlzation proposed in the Sd resolution, and
who shall perform the duties of such Associa-
tons until the same shall be formed.
5th. Resolred, That the delegations from
the counties and boroughs represented IN this
Convention, be requested to deposit with the
chairman of the Central Committee the names
Of suitable persons to compose the committees
in their respective counties and towns.
9th Resolred, That the members of this
Convention pledge themselves to use all prop
er exertions to carry out the objects proposed
In the foregoing 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,
impresses upon US the utility Of permanent
organizations in all general efforts to repress
evil or establish good. Wherever a public
wrong, dangerous to the liberties the people.
or to the well being OF society, has found an
Observation-Disclosures political or a moral re-
volution, demanded by the patriots OF the land,
has been meditated or attempted, there the
conviction that individual efforts avail but little
in so great work, has led them, as one i'm
portant means Of efficiency, to form them
selves into permanent societies. BY such
means of information has besn received and
diffused, calculated to stimulate, guide and
control their action, and united strength OBJ
tanned sufficient to remove the most formida-
bic obstacles, and often TO secure the happiest
success.
To the want of such a permanent union of
the friends of Popular Education Is to be attri-
buted, no doubt, in some degree, the barren re-
suit Of the frequent efforts which have been
made by them in Virginia. From the period
when Mr.. JEFFERSON devised his system of
general education to the present day, many OF
our wisest and best patriots. deplorng the
deep disgrace which the ignorance Of SO large
a portion of our people brought upon the
State, have, at different times, resolved to ef-
face 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 power
less 10 accomplish their object. Without the
means of mutually communicating informa-
ton, unless at great labor and expense--with-
out union OF thought or action, their strength
was gone, either to give authority 10 their sug-
gestions, 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, 1t could
never have been put into successful operation,
without the vigilant, united, well-informed
and well directed efforts Of its friends, TO pro-
tect il from misunderstanding, prejudice and
cavil. The experience and practice Of other
States attest the importance Of such associa-
tons, and fully confirm the views we express.
In the States Of New York, Massachusetts,
Connecticut and Rhode Island, which have
brought their school system to a higher degree
of perfection than have any other ofthe States
of our Union, an organization of the friends of
education, similar 10 tina. proposed by us, has
been found eminently conducive 10 the admi-
rable success they have there attained.
The Convention TO which we have referred,
deeply impressed with the importance OF this
measure as one means of ensuring permanent
success, devolved upon their Central Commit
tee the duty of appointing in each town and
county of the State, committee who might
procure in their several towns and counties
the establishment of Associations in connec-
ton with the Central Committee, and intimate
ly allied with each other. In performing this
duty, difficulties have been experienced which
will at once suggest themselves to every mind.
Some have been appointed, oil whose senti-
ments we were not well informed. Others
have doubtless been omitted, whose ability,
zeal land influence would render them most
desirable members of such committees. We
hope, therefore, that while none, who may be
indsposed TO serve on these committees, will
receive unfavorably this testimonial of our de-
sire to have their cooperation, all who would
have been willing to do so, but have been
omitted will consider themselves authorized by
higher authority than our appointment
their own patriotism and the promptings Of
duty--to aid in establishing and maintaining
permanent Education Associations.
The benefits to the cause of Education re-
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