Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-04
STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Meeting at the Capitol Last Night.
Remarks of DIR. Sears.

The inelemency of the weather, appear
ances indicating rain, prevented as large a
meeting at the hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives last night as would otherwise
have been there, though the attendance
was very good, and we noticed among the
members some Of the mostrefned and sub
stantial citizens of the place.
The Association was called to order at u
o'clock. The committee to select officers
for the Association reported that they had
selected as President Hon. Neil S. Brown
Vice Presidents, one for each con-
gressional district, were appointed, as fol-
lows:
First, Rev. W. B. Rankin, of Greenville;
Second, Prof NJ. G. Butler, Of Knoxville;
Third, Hon. E. A James, of Chattanooga;
Fourth, Hon. VIM. Bosom, Murfreesboro;
Fifth, Rev. B. W. Mcdonald. D. D., of
Lebanon; Sixth, Rev. W. Mack, D. D, of
Columbia; Seventh, Hon. ]. r. Roach, of
Carol county; Eighth, J. F. Lath, of Mem
phis.
Recording Secretary and Treasurer, NJ.
@. Wilcox, of Knoxville. Corresponding
Secretaries, Fl. s. Bennett, of Nashville,
Dr. j. B. Lindsley and Albert Roberts, of
Nashville, and Gen. John Eaton, of Men,
phis.
Gov. Senter then, III few brief and APP
propriate remarks, gave cordial welcome
to those present to the capital Of the State.
He was briefly responded to by Mr.. Bos-
son, who, in some felicitous remarks,
thanked the State Executive for a welcome
so cordial.
DR.. Sears then being intro
dueed, addressed the audience at length.
He commenced his remarks by saying that,
trite as the subject might seem, he was
glad to meet them there in consultation in
the interest of education The interests Of
humanity, even humanity itself, demanded
education. The talents and the capabih-
ties of the middle classes should not be OBJ
scured for the want Of It. The demands of
religion and good order were for universal
education The speaker contended that
the establishing of standard of universal
education was the surest means of sustain
ing all the great civic and social institutions
of the country. The system of education,
as implied by and embraced in free schools,
received the speakers attention.
The intelligence and moral enlighten-
ment of people were proportioned to the
educational facilities provided. He re-
ferred to Prussia as an example illustrating
the benefcent results of a system Of gene
raj education. He eulogiZed England's
famed institutions of learning, and spoke
of the means lavished upon them as well
as their splendid endowments, and the
scholars they had given to the world; and
yet, ne said, the mssseswere ignorant. The
want and demand of the times was a
system of practical and general education
for the good of the masses. The difference
between the genius of public and private
school was referred to. He averred that
without money the schOol-door was closed /;
for teachers, like other persons, would In
vest their talents according to the remune-
ration received. The kind of houses, the
species of books, and the sort Of pupils to
be received, were adverted to at length
The chief aim of public schools was essen
tally different from the aims Of those OF
private schools. No city or people thought
for moment of making money out OF
their public schools, their operation IN the
successful education of their children, indie
pendent Of pecuniary considerations, being
their object. The skillful instruction of the
minds and hearts of the pupils, without the
touch of any rude hand was the object.
wise organic State law fostering the inter-
ests of education, he asserted was an IN
dispensable necessity. He adverted to the
various contingencies and existent causes
which might prevent an educational law
| universal in its operation, and SAID that the
| exclusive reliance upon q school fund had
| it's serious objections. He spoke OF the
advantages of a well regulated tax for tht
support of schools, as being vested OF hgt
authority, and certain in its results. III
showed the advantages of a system of Stat
tax over one of local, as being more satel
vested and universal In its results. Pro
vision should be made for the education o
/ all the people. A system of education
should be established that should be dl
vested of all property contradistinctlons be
tween the rich and the pOOr-One tina
would bind the heart of child to child, o
youth to youth, who would grow up WIT
these affections and schOOl-day attachment
binding man to man.
| A school system in which all should b
lifted high above all political parties. A
far as possible let all political feelings an
partizan prejudices be removed from tn
interests of an educational system. He re
ferred to the Boards of Education wit
| which he had co-operated, which were com
posed of all parties, but the politics OF n
member ever conf1icted with the great IL
terests of education which they were Ell
] deavorinp to advance. All educationi
| systems should have proper and well dh
ciplined supervision IN general WORKING
| and. in detail, and should be as little con
| plicated as possible, but reduced 10 ID
utmost simplifcation IL its practical machlI
cry. The speaker referred to the trainin
of teachers, and indicated the inability
normal schools at State expense to met
the demand. Let the teacher be well qual
| fed for his delicate wOrk-more delca
than the machinery of a watch-the mac
inery of child's immortal mind. II
mechanism of the childs mind should
the chief study of the teacher, to whoI
, our children, our jewels, the idols OF O.
| affections. are entrusted. If the teach
: | can at normal schools, at the expense
the State. be better qualified and mo
t | economically qualified, then let it be
| | done; if it could be better done IN loo
: communities and by local action, then
r it be so done.
The speaker closed his remarks am
t manifestations of applause
t Resolutions were offered with reteren
3 to the workings of the association; COZ
e mending the school interests OF the stat
] and asking that all persons of the state
1 earnestly invited to cooperate with the
I ISOLATION in the establishment Of gene
/ system of education; thanking Gov. Sent
for the interest taken, and also thank
f DIR. Sears for his able remarks on the oct
!. sion and also thanking the Legislature
e the use of the hall, and the several "a
, roads for charging but half fare to-
!, members in attendance.
t On motion, the meeting then adjourn
d to convene again at the Capitol on the