Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-06-04
From the Raleigh Sentinel.
To the People Of North Carolina.

At a recent meeting of the Chatham Edu-
cational Association, 1t was
ResolUed, That committee of five be ap-
pointed by the Chair TO prepare an address to
the people OF North Carolina, setting forth the
objects of this Association, and inviting all
frie nds of education to attend our next meeting,
with view Of forming State Educational Asso-
ciation.''
The undersigned, constituting the COM
mittee appointed in accordance with this
resolution, fully impressed with the i'm
portance of the duty assigned them. and
feeling assured that however imperfectly
their views may be expressed, that they
will be patiently heard and favorably con-
sidered, would respectfully call to the at
tention and careful consideration of their
fellow-citizens the objects proposed in the
organization of this Association. We will
! not presume to explain to the intelligent
people Of North Carolina the advantages
of properly educating the youth of the
State. Every one must feel convinced
that it is not only proper, but absolutely
necessary in Republican government,
that the masses of the people, who are the
true sovereigns, should be thoroughly
The chief cause of the present greatness
and prosperity of the Kingdom of Prussia
is the fact that for many years the best
symtem of common schools known in the
civilized world has been in successful
operation among all classes of the people,
both improving their morals and cult
waiting their minds. IF @ judicious system
of schools has been productive of such
wonderful results in monarchical govern
ment, what might we not anticipate in
this favored country If, as has been
we'll said, ''that if the wealth of q nation
lies in the breasts of it's YOUTH" great in
deed must be the labor required to develop
the wealth of North Carolina.
According to the census of 1860, there
were many thousand white adults in this
State, who could neither read nor write,
and do we suppose that this number will
be diminished by the next census Sure
ly there is a vast field in which to operate.
Truly is the harvest great, and shall the
laborers be few ? Will you allow this burn
ing shame to longer stain the fair name of
"the old North State ?" The Chatam Ed
ucatiOnal Association was organized for the
purpose of awakening an interest, and
bring about concentration and unity of
action. in this important subject. Without
the proper organizations no enterprise or
undertaking can be successful. Order and
system are essential to success. We,
therefore, most earnestly urge upon the
teachers and other friends of the cause in
each and every county in the State, the
propriety of forming, at an early day,
permanent County Association, so that
each county may foster its own local schools,
encourage and sustain its own institution,
which is proposed to be organized as soon
as there are sufficient number of County
Associations, which will thus be consoli-
dated into one harmonious whole. The
next regular meeting of the Chatham Assoc
citation will be held at Pittsboro', on the 23d
cordially invite all who may be pleased to
attend and cooperate in this great work.
The meeting of the State Association will
be called early in the fall, due notice of
which will be given through the public
press, and in which we especially desire
every county to participate. If necessary
to meet together in order to consult as to
the general interests of education with
especial reference to our present condition,