Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-11-16
LIE rEACHERs, Assoc1ArIoN.


FIRST DAY.-Ihe state Teachers Asso-
citation organized yesterday in the hall OF
the House of Representatives, which had
been rendered them for their use during the
sitting Of their second session.
The attendance was very respectable,
quite a number Of ladies lending their pre-
sence to the occasion. The number Of dele
gates present was about fifty.
At two o'clock, p n, the Board Of Of
fcers and the Executive Committee held a
business meeting in room No. 5, adjoining
the Representative Hall.
Rev. Thomas w. Humes, of Knoxville
President Of the Association, called the body
to order at p o'clock, p NJ, and the session
was opened by prayer. from Rev. Robert
A. Young, D. D.
A resolution was adopted inviting the
members Of the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives to take part in the proceedings
of the Association.
A motion was adopted inviting all teach
ers and friends of education to enroll them
selves as members of the Association.
By request, the Secretary read the Consti-
tuition for the information of those who
we're ignorant of the basis on which the
Association was formed.
The Treasurer of the Association being
absent, the President, on motion, appointed
T. W. Haley, Treasurer, pro tenn.
On motion, the President appointed the
following gentleman as a committee on the
nomination of officers of the Association
Judge William Mills, J. o. Griffith, and
NJ. G. Wilcox
Mr. Heiskell, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, rendered the use of the
Speakers room to the committees, during
the session of the Association.
The business Of the Association was sus-
pended, and the President, Rev. Thomas W.
Humes, delivered an address upon the bene-
fits of education and the duties devolving
upon the people of the State to this end.
He said the day had gone by whep it was
necessary toget up in the Capitol of great
State, before an array Of teachers, and ad-
vocate the necessity of general education.
But there are those who have not looked at
the subject in its proper light. Tennessee,
with all its internal advantage, standing
high among her sisters Of the Union, vet she
is far behind in point of educa-
tional enterprise. We have now en-
tered upon a new era, we have
crossed the Rubecon, and become separated
from the old things that have passed away
New hopes have arisen, and new du t les ha
devolved upon US. This is no time for mis-
chievous controversies. The time of the
people should be given to accomplishing
praiseworthy and noble acts towards the en-
lightment of our people. The deficiencies
under which we labor, and the best way to
remedy them, should be our chief subject.
The popular mind must be thoroughly per-
suaded Of the greatness of its own need. A
representative in Congress from New Hamp-
shire, has spoken in just reproach against |
the position Of Tennessee in an educational |
point Of view. This ought not to be; we |
ought to rise above the jeers that have been
thrown at us. Many able men have served |
as pioneers in educating the masses, and |
those whom they have instructed should |
arise after them in the labor. The |
pathway has been blazed, and their |
followers can easily keep in their
wake. The great body of the people |
IL IL. /
ton. Because our ancestors were in a
measure uneducated. it will not rebound to
their dishonor to urge upon the present |
rising generation the necessity of learning as
necessity for the future preservation of |
their liberties. We occupy a new position,
and the widespread ignorance of the past |
must be looked over. But for us of this |
day intellectual enlightenment cannot be /
set aside without doing great injury to our
race and generation. If we go on and pros
per in our work, but few years will elapse |
beforethe districts in our State will be fur
nished with well attended schools, out of |
which will come the men who will rule the |
destinies Of this country. The school system |
has never been placed upon broad and |
liberal basis. Other Legislatures have looked |
with contempt upon the proposition to es-
tablish normal schools for the preparation /
Of the teachers Of our youth, but from this
and succeeding Legislatures, hopes may be
entertained for aid that will advance a sys-
tenn Of education that will be within the
reach Of all The youth Of the State. We
need intelligence, and it is our duty to strive
to obtain the best method of obtaining it,
and making it general.
The speaker referred to the facilities for
education in Prussia as unequaled by the
system established in any other country. 1t
was not the needle gun that gained the vic
tory for the Prussians in the late European
war. 1t was superior intelligence of the
Prussian soldiery over the ignoranceof their
adversaries.
At the conclusion Of the Presidents ad-
dress, he announced that the sessions of the
Association were open to the public, and
their presence would be gratifying to its
members.
Mr.. Bliss OF Memphis, delivered an able
address to the Association an the subject of
popular Education" holding that it was
indispensable to the life of the Republic.
A communication was read from Mr. John
Ogden, Superintendent, inviting the Asso-
citation to visit the public schools. The
invitation was accepted.
On motion Of Rev. r. A. Young, the As
sociation adjourned until o'clock Pm.
EVENING SESSION.
The attendance at the evening session was
very slim, and but few ladies were present.
The Association was called to order at seven
o'clock.
Mr.. Lindsey, Chairman of the Executive
Committee made verbal report of the
action Of the committee in procuring speak
ers for the occasion, and stated that letters
had been received from A. P. Stewart, w. E.
Xy,rA anl Iu1.o Harry Cooner annonpciny 1