Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1850-10-03
Circular.
MINERAL PoINT, September, 1850.
,cn Supeyintendents, Teachers, aud thu
ads of Education
Ijoyed.

MINERAL POINT, September, 1850.
To Jacn Superintendents, Teachers, aud the
ciends Of Education
AT a Teachers Institute held in Mineral Point.
| in April last, the undersigned were appointed a
Committee TO prepare Circular calling SINH
lar association at some suitable place, in the
| fall. In accordance with instructions. and in
connection with Hon. +. RooT, State Superin-
tendent, the Committee have united upon call
| ing a Convention aud Institute, commencing at
FAYETTEVILLE, MONDAY EVENING, Oct 7th
The objects contemplated in this call may be
thus briefly stated:
|. To awaken an interest in, and give an i'm
petus to the cause of Education, that shall be
felt in the remotest corner of the counties then
represented. That vigor and activity should
take the place of the present apathetic lndiffer-
ence is too palpable truth to invite argument.
To produce this result the State Superintendent,
Hon. E. RooT. and Chancellor LATHRoP of the
State University, have volunteered their SER
vices; and interesting addresses may be ex-
pected upon the various topics connected with
the educational interests and policy of the State.
III. Another object of vast Importance, Is, to
obtain an expression Of the People upon divers
proposed amendments TO the existing School
Laws among which may be enumerated:
!. An amendment making an appropriation
from the School Fund for the support of Teach
ers' Institutes in the several counties of the
State, for which we have the example of Mas
sachusetts and Connecticut
2. An amendment authorizing loan of the
School Fund 10 School Districts, for the pur-
pose of assisting in the erection of more COM
modious houses than many, at present, are able
ito build.
3. An amendment establishing the Office Of
County Superintendent.
III The primary object of the Institute, and
one of paramount Importance. is to afford Teach
ers an opportunity of perfecting themselves in
the various branches of their art. If Teaching
is to assume its place as one of the professions,
a result as certain as the progress of time it
lself--then we call upon those DESTROYS of an
honorable position in its ranks, to unite and
help us forward in our efforts to maintain its
dignity and increase its efficiency. The Teach
ers present are expected to form themselves
into School, which, under the direction of
the distinguished gentlemen above named and
others, will be subject to rigid course of in
struction and examination. The evenings will
be occupied with discussions and lectures upon
the Natural Science as well as the Theory of
Teaching.
The above is faint outline Of the plan of
proceedings. The time and occasion will sug-
gesi thousand subjects not enumerated. Will
not the Importance which we all as Republican
citizens acknowledge to be attached to the sub
ject of Education, prompt rs to exert ourselves
/ to procure a full and general attendance? Mere
belief in the righteousness of cause will never
alone insure its success. We believe universal
education TO be the cornerstone Of the glorious
fabric erected by our intelligent fathers. Re-
move this, and runous heaps viii mark the spot
where once rose in magnificent grandeur Lib
lerty's sacred Temple. But this tacit acknowl-
edgement is not sufficient. We must have COR
responding vigorous action. Good Laws alone
1 win never educate the people; nor would the
wealth of a Crnsus further the length of an
I ell the progress of Education, unless controlled
\ by the wise and harmonious action of the peo-
lple themselves. Wisconsin has opened her
generous hand, and apparently placed the
lArchimedean leVer within the grasp of all her
children. Money is good-law is good-but
neither can make brave soldiers or skilful gem
erals; much less intelligent citizens CT ripe
scholars. Scientific and experienced officers
are required to render efficient body Of troops
will any dare TO affirm that inferior qsalihca-
tons are demanded in those who undertake the
development of the immortal mind, and its
preparation for the stern conflicts OF life? This
is an important inquiry, on the answer to which
depends the welfare and efficiency Of our Com
mon Schools.
Some few wants have been noticed. They
may be summed up in three sentences We
want good ialUS-we want good hoUses--we
want good teaohsrs-Can they not all be sup
piled Let all interested come to the COnVeu-
ton prepared 10 suggest some plan.
/ Arrangements have been made so that all
who attend can be accommodated with board
/ at trifiing expense.
/ Strangers wishing accommodations VIII call
at the Store of d. W. Clark, where a commit
tee viii be in attendance 10 receive them.
JOHN LEWIS, Platteyille.
A. P. LADD, Shullsburg,
/ T. 5. ALLEN, Mineral Point.
COMMITTEES Of arrangements.