Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-05-28

-. 1862 >'''AS>0 1ACiu, dS one ltn-
portant means Of efficiency, 10 form
themselves into permanent societies. =
BY such means information has been
received and difflsed, calculated to
Stimulate, guide and control their ac-
ton, and united strength obtained
sufficient to remove the most formida-
bic obstacles, and often to secure the
happiest success.
To the want Of such permanent u
MON Of the friends Of Popular Educa-
ton is to be attributed, no doubt, in
some degree, the barren result Of the
frequent forts which have been made
by them in Virginia. From the period
when Mr.. Jefferson devised his system
Of general education to the presen, day,
many Of our wisest and best patriots,
deploring the deep disgrace which the
ignorance Of SO large a portion of our
people brought upon the the State,
have, at different times, resolved to eff
face this blot from her otherwise fair
fame. With that view, popular as
semslies have been appealed to, con-
ventions have been held, resolutions a.
dopted, plans proposed. But no soon
er had those assemblies dissolved,
those conventions separated, than each
member felt that, dispersed and isola-
ted they were powerless to accomplish
their object. Without the means Of
mutually, communicating information,
unless at great labor and expense
without union Of thought or action,
their strength was gone, either to give
authority to their suggestions, or to
execute their plans. Had The best
system Of public schools ever known,
or which could be divised, been pro-
posed by them and enacted by the Leg
stature, it could never have been put
into successful operation, without the
vigilant, united, informed and
well directed efforts Of its friends, to
protect it from misunderstanding, pre-
JUDGE and cavil. The experience and
practice ofother States attest the i'm
portance Of such associations, ard fu}lf
confirm the views we express. In the
States Of New York, Massachusetts,
Connecticut and Rhode Island, which
have brought their school systems to
higher degree Of perfection than have
any other Of the States of our Union,
an organization of the friends Of educa-
ton, similar to that proposed by US,
has been found eminently conducive to
the admirable success they have there
attained.
The Convention to which we have
referred, deeply impressed with,he i'm
portance of.this measure as one means
of ensuring permanent success, devoI,.
ed upon their Central Committee 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 As
sociations in connexion with the Gem
trail Committee, and intimately allied
with each other. In performing this
duty, difficulties have been experience
ed, which will at once suggest them
selves TO every mind. Some have
been appointed, of whose sentiments
We were not well Informed. Others
have doubtless been omitted, whose a.
bility, zeal and influence would render
them most desirable members of such
committees. We hope, therefore, that
while none, who may be lndisposed to
serve on these committees, will receive
unfavorably this testimonial of our de-
sire to have their CO. cooperation, all who
would have been wiling 10 do so, but
have been omitted, will consider them
selves authorized by higher authority
than our appointment-ther own pa
triotism and the promptings OF. duty
to aid in establishing and maintaining
permanent Education Associations.
The benefits to the cause of Educa-
cation, 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 com
munity, on whose support Public
Schools must depend. Unfortunately,
even in the few counties in which the
experiment has been made, experience
has shown that faithful service IN the
part of the friends of This cause is me-
cessary 10 give it just protection. It is
not to be denied that many good and
practical men are opposed to general
system Of Public Schools at this time
IN Virginia,-as many perhaps are
warmly attached 10 the existing system
others find objection 10 the particula,
schemes which have been sent out BY
the Legislature for the adoption Of The
people. But, others again, through