The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-12-05
Correspondence of the GALAXY
MARLBORO HOTEL, BosToS, Nov. Is, 1s4s.
NATIONAL EDUCATION.

NATIONAL EDUCATION.
An address was delivered this week by ex-
Governor Slade, Of Vermont, in one of the
largest churches OF this city, on the subject
of popular education.
After alluding TO the necessity OF univer-
sal education, embracing religious element,
as the conservative power needed 10 regu-
late lhe mighty impulses now moving the
world he especially urged the importance
of concentrating the energies of patriotism
and benevolence upon tho children Of our
country, and the paramount duty Of enlisting
The best minds for securing to the rising mil
lions OF this Republic the Influences Of Il
Christian Education.
To the enquiry:-Who shall he the prin-
cipal educaIor2 He replied--W OMAN. He
spoke Of her adapledness 10 become the in
slructer of the rising race, from the peculiar
character of her mind especially her pow
er 10 gain the confidence and affection OF chill
dren-a power essential both TO their insIruc-
lion aud government,
For introducing The religious element.
which he considered Indispensable in The
proper education Of a hunah soul, woman
had peculiar advantages. He regarded her
as mapiesily designed by The Creator 10
moUld and guide from Its infancy the moral
character of the human family.
The instruments needed 10 accomplish this
grand work, he said, were not mere literary,
sentimental, drawing-room ladies', but those
of truly vigorous, energetic minds and Gu
larged hearts, in sound boGies-fIied 10 the
stern realities Of Lille, self denying, seli-sacri-
icing, earnest aud ready for every station 10
which Providence might call Them.
Indeed, it was Time, he said, that erc1y DO
dy should be in earnest in the work oil doing
goud-as earnest as men are in the pursuit.
oil wealth and political interests.
He spoke Of the vast importance Of our
own country in its relations 10 The word-of
the freedom Of our institutions, as imparting
an energy 10 the common mind, highly fa-
vorabIe 10 intellectual improvement. but de-
manding eTineDlly the conservative power
of Christian principle 10 guide it 10 safe and
happy results.
Uur own country, he said, should be firsI
in efforts as it is first in our afiecilons-and
the West, especially, should be looked 10 by
patriots and philanlhropists, as being the
prospective seat If empire. Into that re-
gion, he urged thai New England owed II
TO herself aud TO the nation, 10 send the
heaIIhluI influences which had maze her
what she was
The origin and objects of The Board of
National Popular EducaIion,' OF which Gov
ernor Slade, of Middlehury, is the Cores
ponding Secretary and General Agent, were |
here presented. and lis operation explained.
The Board consists Of twenty five members
Morrow, Of Ohio, Presidenr
and Judge Mclean, and Judge Lane, Vice |
Presidents Through appropriate agencies
il explores The West for the raising Up schools |
and making arrangements for The reception
and competent support of female teachers;
while il receives applications Tor supplies, III
vites such teachers from the East, collects
of them, semi annually, at Hart
ford, Conn.,, where il carries them through
ask weeks special taining- a sort of Teach
ers' Institute and thence under proper escort,
sends them TO the places provided.
Tine Board, he sGid, had seniOui ] 10 teach
ers in Two years. mostly from New England
"a 10 illinois; 81 TO Indiana; ~ 10 Wiscon-
sin; II TO Michigan; 10 Iowa; 10 Ten
nessee 3 10 Missouri 2 TO Kentucky; 10
Ohio 2 TO Western Penusy Ivania, and 10
N. Carolina.
The union, unsectarian feature Of the move
men, was adverted TO, as very important in
lis harmonizing influence AT the East, rs well
DIS 70. aIlaying UNCONVENTIONAL jealousies al
the West. The teachers senthad been from
five denominations.
The importance Of a missionary spirit in
The teachers. was dwell upon, and letters
from some of them were read exhibiting this
spirit. and showing that The efforts oil the
Board are accomplishing an important work
developing female power on an aPproPri>
ale field.
The Board, he remarked, needs increased
funds TO sustain the numerous agencies, and
10 defray The expense Of The preparatory
training at Hartford, and jouneying to the
West, Of such as are unable 10 bear this ex-
pense themselves.
From this eloquent address Of an hours
length, il seemed very obvious, that the plan
was admirably adapted for effecIng great
good at comparatively little expense operat-
ng unobIrusiveIy, introducing many Of til
best minds 10 spheres Of usefulness and hon
Dr., and thus promoting national philanthro>
'y, union, intelligence and virtue. A. d.