The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-21
AFTERNOON SESSION.

O'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met at O'Clock.
The report Of the Committee on Topics
for Discussion had been referred to
other committees, but at the suggestion OF
Professor Holmes, and in view Of its great
Importance, the subject Of the education
of freedmen was taken up and discussed.
The Importance Of the education OF freed
men was generally conceded, the points in
the negro constitution were we'll pointed
out, and the particular kind Vkeducation
needed by him was shown; but'as to how
that education was to he given was pro-
blem which none vcnturcd to solve.
General Smith opened the discussion.
tie thought that the negro was in his intel
lectual organization child, and should be
treated as such from the day Of his birth
to the day of his death. 1t was of great
Importance that the instrumentalitics that
were and had been at work among them
should be superseded. Difficulties had
been met with in disciplining the negro
children, for they had complained of
breach of their privileges whenever cor
rectcd with corporal punishment for mis-
conduct.
Mr.. Hart cited his experience as
teacher Of a negro Sunday school for some
months, and said that his scholars lacked
perseverance. Though they did well for
the first few weeks, after that time they
became very irregular attendants.
DR.. Atkinson thought that the negroes
ought to he educated, and were entitled to
kind treatment on account of their fidelity
and good conduct during and since the
war. During the war, when they were eX-
pccted and urged 10 rise against their
masters, they remained faithful, and many
of them STAYED ut home when the country
was invaded, although the invaders urged,
almost forced them to go with them. Since
the war they had conducted themselves
as well as could be expected. We should
strive to give them such education as we
could. They should be well instructed in
the Word Of God.
DR.. Minor thought that, taking all things
into consideration, the negroes were en-
couraging subjects for education. When
it was considered that they lacked the
same Stimulants as other children had to
study, it would be conceded that they
would do well. Upon this point he argued
fully and clearly.
DR.. McGuiiey spoke of the kind Of
teachers that were now among the ne
groes. He had been sent by friend, rs a
subject OF curiosity, q periodical styled
the Feolnea'S Record, published in Bos-
ton, which, from beginning to end, was It's
sue Of lies. Among other things that
came under his observation was a state
mcut in letter written by Yankee ne
gro "schoolmarm,n which contained \
statement that three students and clerk
i'm store in Charlottesville had been un-
able to solve q simple fraction which =
young freedman Of few months school
experience had solved with facility. He
had been sent some books for distribution
among them. AS soon as il was known,
the freedmen in numbers came to him for
them. He distributed them, but i'll few
days they returned them, saying that their
teachers and "marms" had forbidden
them to use them, as it would interfere
with the sale of their books. He thought
that our people ought to endeavor to keep
out the malign influences that come from
the northern people, especially the wo-
men.
Mr.. LeavenwortlI closed the discussion,
and asked if one of the barriers in the
way of proper education for the blacks
was not the stigma which the people sccm-
cd to attach to Eirginians who would
teach them.
Mr.. Hart offered the following resolu-
ton, which was unanimously adopted:
Rtsored, That, in the estimation of this
Association, it is laudable enterprise for
any competent southern man or woman to
engage in the instruction Of the freedmen
with a view to elevate their character and
! to adapt them to the successful discharge
of the new duties imposed upon them by
their changed condition.
The following resolution Of thanks was
passed:
ResOiced, That the thanks Of this Asso-
ciaton be rendered Mr.. James =. Cowardin
, for the correct and copiouS report he has
! furnished of its proceedings, and TO the
! editors of the Richmond Dispatch for the
interest in the cause Of education they
have indicated in giving so much space in
their paper TO the publication OF that
report.
/ Shortly afterwards the Convention all
journcd to meet in Lynchburg on the third
Tuesday in July, 1867.
/ The results attending this Convention
are very gratifying, and We will look for
ward to important and useful action at its
! next session. The Association is COM
posed of many emincntly learned and ex-
, pericnccd men. They are giving the
subject Of education q thorough analysis
! in its every branch, and they will establish
an educational system for Virginia which
will, in great measure, control the sys-
TEN Of the entire South. We are much
gratitied at the expression of thanks ten
dered us by the gentlemen Of the Associa-
ton, and assure them that it will ever be
the pleasure of the Dispatch to promote
the educational interests of Virginia.
! DENIS.