The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-01-16
From the National Flag.
Teachers State Convention.

e FROM the National flag
If Teachers State Convention.
Mr.. EDITOR The Teachers numberir
t about FIVE hundred, convened in this plat
s last night. The exercises we're opened wit
D prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Guthrey.
e The Association was addressed BY tn
President, Mr.. Simeon Wright, of Lee cour
5 ~. Ills theme was the educational interest
of the State. He presented the matter in
practical manner, and was listened to wit
marked attention. The production was
paying the dollar and signing the Constitu
ton, the members returned to the places as
signed them as their home during the ses
sion of the Association.
Met Wednesday at o'clock. The meet
ing was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr.
Post, of Cabrondae, jealous and Hys edu
Gator of Egypt The Chairman of the Boart
OF Education then made his report. He
dwelt much upon the success Of the Normal
| University. The subject then of the utility
OF sending out State Agent, was taken up
and after long and warm discussion termi-
mated in circulating guarantee, which was
signed by ninety-two teachers pledging a
salary to our Agent Of 81, 300 and his ex-
penses.
One o'clock p. M-The County Commits
sioners had meeting to take into considera-
tioa the expediency of organizing an associ-
alton. The time having arrived for the
opening Of the Association the meeting ad-
journed until o'clock. The object of suoh
an organization is to create an interest and
produce union of effort in canvassing the
various counties of the State directly under
the charge of the Comissioners.
Half past one o'clock P. M.-After little
miscellaneous business Mr.. Springstead, of
Peru, read an excellent report on Ora In
structions. The question Ought the pu-
pills of our Public Schools to be furnished
with books at Publl Expense 2" was discuss.
ed by the Association, aud laid upon the ta-
BILE. number of resolutions were then
read and adopted, after which the associa-
ton adjourned until evening.
In the evening Prof Youman, of \. Y.
addressed the Association. His subject "Sun
Beam" 1t was mastdlly effort. The in
fuence and power of light, as the great me-
ter power Of the unirerse, chasiag the stars,
and holding the PLANETS, breathing life in
to the animal and arousing into being the
vegetable kingdoms of the carte, were the
peculiar characteristics of his address. He
had large number Of diagrams to illustrate
his subject. Association then adjourned
On Wednesday morning the first exercise
was an excellent essay on +" Primary Teach
ing" by Miss Young, Of Chicago, followed
by very fine address on School Supervs-
ion, by G. G. Hoag'and, Of Henry, Marshall
county.
The officers for the ensuing year were
then elected:
B. G. Root, of Tamara, President.
Nine Vice Presidents representing each
Congressional District
j, F. Eberhart of Dixon, Secretary.
Mr.. Etter, Of Lacon, corresponding Secre-
tary.
y. Bateman, Jacksonville, Editor.
Simeon Wright. Lee County. Agent
Mr.. Fitch, Of Chicago, Mr.. Eastbrook, of
Springfield, Mr.. Wood of DuQuoin, Commit 1
tee on Programme.
Mr.. Wentworth, of Chicago, Mr. Cuteh-
con, OF Crbana. Mr.. Hovey, ofBioomington,
Committee on Finance.
The Association then adjourned
Hednesdav. one o'clock p. Mr.. Post,
of Carbondsle, read an essay on Relation Of
Parent, Teacher and Pupil, followed by an
address by j. F. Eberhart, on Normal In
,ututes." This was fine scholarship pro-
1uetion. The utility and efficiency of Tea
,hers Institutes more clearly and forcibly
number ofresoutionS, the Association ad-
ourned until evening.
Seven o'clock p NJ, met according to ad
ournment.
Mr.. Tillinghast, Of Chicago, read short
,ssay on " Music" and was followed by an
ADDRESS on Normal Schools" by Richard
edward, Principal of the Normal School in
81 Louis. He showed, conclusiyely, that
he most responsible position assumed BY
eachers was in the Primary Department,
md that Of all positions the teachers of this
department. should be the best qualified
He dwelt much upon the future and glow
ng prospects of our Normal University, that
he endowment by the State a:d the SUBJ
'criptions and appropriations secured for
erecting building was unsurpassed in the
history of our country. With thrilling and
orcible language, he bid the teachers of H.
inois to throw their arms and all their en-
ergies around this Institution and make it
what no other has been made in the world.
After this address spirited discussion on
he co-education of the sexes continued uu-
ii 10 O'Clock.
The Association passed resolution in IA
Tor of the measure. Adjourned.
Thursday mornng.-Report on "School
Government" by Mr.. Bruce, Of Chicago
This was followed by lecture by DIR. Z. r.
Roe, with whom you are acquainted.
His subject was ''Phy ysioiogy as connect
d with Cnmmon School Education" The
Dr.. portrayed in vivid colors the great want
# physical exercise in our schools, that
he healthy, blooming cheek, the strong and
beautiful form Of by gone days, have passed
way and our schools are now filled with
,ale and feeble students, SO frail that they
hardly cast a shadow along the pathway of
ife. He recommended the pub ication of a
work on this subject. At the close of the
ecture resolution was passed requesting
lin to write out his lecture for publication
n the Illinois Teacher.
President Blonhard, of Galesburg, then
delivered an able and interesting ADDRESS on
he "Vocation of the Teacher" He evinc.
ID in his remarks the true workman. On
he whole think that more business has
'een done at this meeting than any other.
Near one hundred teachers were present
rom the southern portion of the State. The
Association appears to be unit in action,
md, no doubt, is doing a glorious work for
'ar lovely State. Over two thousand sub.
cribers were secured for the Illinois Teach
r, the coming year. God speed on to more
tficient action of the teachers of Illinois,
nd may they never rest sati fed until the
asst lingering shade ofisnorance is dispers-
d by the light of intelligence.
Tee School Commissioners attending the
Meeting appointed committee of three to
ssue circular showing the necessity of
ONE action to CT ate more work assigned
hem, and recommending convention to be
eld some time during the year for organic.
ne permanently an Association. This is a
tep in the right direction. No men have
o much influence, educationally, in our
;tate as our County Commissioners, and a
'earty cooperation and thorough organi-
alton of these men will tell more directly
or the promotion of Free Schools than any
hing that can be done.