Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-09-13
THE DELAwARS ASSOCIATION.

WIN. AIKMAN, Slated CLERK,
-ssee~-
THE DELAWARE ASSOCIATION.
A meeting of the Delaware Association
for the moral improvement and education of
the colored people was held in the Lecture
Room of the Wilmington Institute, on the
evening oil September 9th, 1867, in accord
ance with the published notice.
The President, Mr.. Kimber, stated that
the purpose in view, in thus calling together
formally the members OF. the Delaware AS
sociation, is, in the first place, briefly 10 lay
before you the results of the labors of the
managers, of the past few months: together
with plain statement OF the difficulties VIC
have encountered In the work, and of our
present position and prospects In regard TO
future operations.
We also desire, in view of those difficult
ties, and of the vast field OF duty that lies
open before us, TO confer with the members
OF the Association on the important ques-
ton of a closer affiliation and union with
kindred Societies in other States, aud more
especially with that great Central Agent
the American Freedmens Commission
which has established it's branches in almost
every State but ours, and has extended
It's friendly and powerful influence even
amongst us. In fact, without the timely ex-
tension of that assistance, we should have
had far less satisfactory report to make to
you this evening
-Four of the most important of our schools
have been maintained almost entirely by
the New York branch of that Commission,
and the indirect benefit OF their support and
sympathy has been felt in all our operations
We commenced our effort, as you are
aware, TO establish schools for the colored
people in Delaware, about the first of the
present year. There was little TO encourage
us in the tone OF feeling throughout the State
even among many worthy and good people,
on this subject. 1t seemed as though there
was an ear to hear, and heart TO respond
to every other appeal than this Men and
women, who recognized every other claim
OF humanity, and were prompt to discharge
every other duty to their fellow men, seem
ed to fail utterly here TO acknowledge any
claim or to perceive any obligation of duty
whatsoever.
Yet we found some who thought and felt,
as we did, that very plain obligation ex-
listed in this direction; and that very sol.
emn accountability attended its fulfilment,
or the failure to discharge it.
win aid that these gave US, and with such
pecuniary assistance, as we could obtain
elsewhere, we have endeavored TO carry out
the work entrusted TO us. We have estab-
lished Ia schools over the State, and have
one or two more IN supervisory care; with
view to their being assumed by our Asso-
citation on the opening of the winter term.
Two OF these schools are IN Wilmington.
one at New Castle, one at Dover, one al
Milford, others at Smyrna, Odessa, Seaford,
Milton, Georgetown, Laurel, Newark, Chris.
tiana and Delaware City
In addition TO these elementary schools.
Gall OF which are supplied with the best
modern books and methods of teaching
adapted TO the grade of the pupils attending
them), the Board of Managers nave accepted
tue liberal proposition of the African School
society OF Wilmington to place In charge of
the delaware Association, all their property
on Orange Street, and the use of the income
OF their iunds, for the purpose of establishing
a Normal School for ColOred Teachers in
this city, who shall 20 forth when thus
trained to educate and elevate their race not
only in Delaware but also throughout the
entire southern states.
Such is the field OF usefulness opening be-
lore us at this tlme-and now we find our
selves arrested at the outset of tho season
by the entire want OF funds to carry on the
work.
After full discussion of the subject of
aihliation with the American Freshman "a
Ohi0n Commission, the following resolution
was owed by Samuel Hilles, and unani-
mousiy adopcd.-
Resoteed, That the Board Of Alauagers be
ana they are hereby authorized 10 adopt The
Constitution of the American Freedman's
Union Commission, and to establish with
That Association relations similar to those
now existing between il and the Baltimore
Association.
In reference to the action of the African
school Society, OF Wilmington, Samuel NJ.
harrington moved the following, which was
unanimously adopted!-
hesotced, That this Association has learn.
eu win pleasure of the liberal action of the
African School Society of this city IN nlacinS
ils buildings and funds at the disposal of the
Executive Committee for the purpose OF
establishing a normal school for colored
leachersi and that we hereby tender our
grateful Acknowledgements TO that Society,
ana also to the Freedmen's Bureau, for the
assistance that has enabled us TO repair and
improve the Normal school house. We
also cordially endorse the action of the Ex.
ecutlVe COMMITTEE in accepting these Op.
, portunitles and in their efforts to inaugurate
movement so important and useful.
ResotDed, That this resolution be published
in the papers and that copies Of it be fur
nished the Secretary OF the African School
Society and 10 Maj. Gen. Gregory, Of the
Freedmen's Bureau.
The necessity of raising funds at homt
for the maintenance of what has been al
ready accomplished as well as for the exten
sion OF the operations of the Association
Claimed the earnest consideration of tht
: meeting. The importance of direct persona
appeal TO those who, with the Association
feel the necessity of rescuing as far as pos
sibie larke portion OF our population from
ignorance and its attendant vice, was strong
. ly felt; and the fact that the small amount
OF sixteen dollars would pay the salary OF a
teacher and educate from 80 to 90 children
for month, was regarded as a considera
+ ton which ought justly 10 appeal TO the
hearts of those whom Providence has bless
ed with the good things of this life. 1t il
quite common in other States for an indiv
dual to undertake the support of schoo
under the care of an Association, by payin
, the teachers salary. This gives a direc
personal interest in the school, copies Of the
monthly report OF which are forwarded to i'll
patron.
On motion of s. NJ. Harrington, the fol
lowing was unanimously adopted;
: Resolued, That every member Of this AS
| soeiatlon be earnestly requested to appea
} to his acquaintances for aid in carrying OF
the work of educating the colOred people
| and we especially ask benevolent and reli
gious organizations to agree to pay the com
pensation Of one or more teachers employed
by this Association.
On motion, $. M. Harrington, Rev. Mr.
Cunningham and Lea Pusey were appointed
a committee to present the above resolution
to the various religious organizations of thu
city for the purpose Of including this obiec
in their general missionary work "' ''
---..s.--2-
J John s. Jester, OF Dover, has heen ap
] pointed Clerk OF the Peace OF Kent county
by Governor salisbury, in place of w. N
w Dorsey, whose term expired.