Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-08-25
VERMONT TEACHERS, ASSOCIATION,

ST. JoHNsBuRY, Aug. II, 1861
Mr.. Editor: The tenth annual meeting OF
our Association which has just closed, was one
Of the most interesting and hopeful ever held
in the State. The goodly number of teachers
and other friends of education from abroad,
with the citizens of st. Johnsbury, filled large
church to listen to spirited discussions and clo-
quent and instructive lectures. We had also
the aid and encouragement of hoHored men in
other spheres Of action. Hon. T.. Fairbanks
Ex-Governor of the State, and now in nomina-
ton for the same office, presided at the "social
gathering" and gave the opening address. Hon.
J. S. Morrill,, for five years, our able represcn-
tativc in Congress, lecturcd before the associa-
ton. 1t is cheering to the friends Of popular
education in the State, to mark the new inter
est which has been awakened on this important
subject within the last five years. This interest
is no where more manifest than at these public
gatherings where not only teachers aud parents
but men Of character, position and influence
come in, to share TIE common toll and urge on
the common cause. And we are the more en-
couraged when we remember that only few
short ago, Vermont manifested almost total in
difference as to the welfare of her public schools
Her Legislature treated with contempt all ef-
forts at reform, and everywhere there was man.
Tested more anxicry for the growth of onimat'
than for the education of children. OF course
there were noble exceptions now the exception
has become the rule
The lectures delivered by Prof Boardman Of
Middlebury College, Rev J. L. Rankin of st.
Adams, and Hon. J. 5. Morrill,, were of high
order and were listened to with deep interest
Prof. Boardman illustrated the dignity and
importance of the teachers work )" Mr. Rankin
enforced with great power and effect the "claims
of the Bible to place in our schools" Ours
is a Protestant Bible, in a Protestant State and
Protestant schools. Catholics may enjoy the
citizenship which our laws guarantee, and the
advantages of our excellent schools, but they
may not tear dorm oU christian affairs and
trample our Bible under their feet.
They may enjoy freedom of conscience in
their own families and schools unmolested, but
they may not deny US the same privilege; are
must control Our otcr, as pc ,cW. This view of
the subject, so forcibly presented, called out
Secretary Adams who, it appeared, had some
time given it as hi, opinion, that there is no
law in Vermont which will sustain teacher in
enforcing the reading OF the Bible in our schools.
Mr. Adams in his usual earnest manner dcfen-
ded the law which gives all an equal right to
the privileges Of citizenship, and claims for all
equal freedom of conscience We were deeply
interested in this discussion and shall be very
glad to see the question extensively discussed
in our public journals. 1t is a question of vital
importance to the State.
Mr. Morrill's lecture on the Culture of man
and some Of its Means" was characterized by
sound sense and was cmncntly practical wor-
thy the occasion and worthy the man.
On the whole, this tenth annual meeting of
ne Vermont Tcac' RS Association was full of
interest and importance. and it will long con-
tinue to exert an influence for good.
pleasant episode to our educational exer-
els :, occurred on Wednesday evening. A long
torchlight procession came out to screnade Hon
Mr. Morrill,. They were rewarded by brief and
appropriate speech touching his own acts in
Congress and The political topics of the day.
Yours, truly, H. o.