Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-13
The State Teachers, AssOeIatIOn,

The State Teachers Association.
We intended to have published in our
last issue, an account Of the late annual
meeting of the State Teachers Association,
which was held at Memphis, December 3Oth
and 31st; this, the crowded state of our
columns prevented. 1t is not too late to
make reference to the subject The meet
ing was not as largely attended as the one
in Nashville, year ago. But Of the real
educators of Tennessee, and the earnest
friends of the good cause Of education, the
attendance was larger. There was moro
united and vigorous action at this, than at
any former gathering. The themes and
measures discussed, were eminently practi-
cal, and they were considered in the light
of large and successful experience. The
workings of our Common School law were
thoroughly convassed. The general con-
illusions reached, were, that no amendments
were at present advisable; that whatever
defects the law may haye,-and these were
/ admitted, lit would not be wise to attempt
their improvement until fuller experiments
| had demontrated the eXcelIences of the sys-
tenn as whole, and suggested such other
notifications as would, then, be deemed
desirable that the present law is entitled
TO a full and fair trial; that defective sys-
tenn, well worked, would be better than fire.
quent charges even if those charges were
real improvements, what is required being
permanence and the confidence it would in
dace that the disposition of the State
school monies should be prompt and in
good faith.
The addresses were appropriate and prac-
tical. Professor Brown Of the Memphis
City Board of Education, illustrated the
value Of the higher and classical courses of
education Rev Mr. Bennett of Nashville
delivered an address, suggested by the death
of Rev. Mr.. Mckee, Superintendent of Com
mon Schools in Davidson county Rev
Mr.. Bancroft, of lookout mountain Insti-
tute, made an admirable address on the
Common Schools, as the agencies of success
ful reform. Rev. DIR. Sears, agent of the
Peabody Fund, delivered an address, re-
plete with interesting facts and arguments,
connected with the educational field in
eleven Southern States.
Rev. DIR. Bowman, pastor Of the First
Presbyterian church in Memphis, discours-
ed eloquently on the nature, uses and cuI-
ture of the Imagination.
Pow TT Of loI:,-...- i
an address on the duty of the State to pro
vide the means for the education of its citi-
zens. General Eaton, State Superinten-
dent, spoke, for nearly an hour, on the pro-
gress made in Tennessee, under the present
school law. The following resolutions,
among others were presented by Rev. c. P.
Bancroft and adopted:
ReS0lUed, That the Teachers Association
of Tennessee have full confidence in the
suficiency Of the present school law of the !
State 10 answer the great purpose for which !
il was enacted the education of all the |
children of the State provided it be allow |
ed, unhindered, to vindicate its adequacy,
and provided, also, it is thoroughly worked |
ReS0lUed, That we have heard with seri-
Gus apprehension that it has been proposed |
in the General Assembly to modify materi- |
ally, if not TO repeal it, and we therefore |
earnestly pray our representatives at Nash |
vile, not to allow either to be done at pres
ent, but to leave the law as it now stands /
until il shall have had sufficient time to /
vindcate its merits and value
On motion of Mr. Bancroft Hon. VIM
Bosom, President of the Association was
requested TO present these resolutions to the
Legislators, in behalf Of the Association.
Upon the close of the remarks of Hon.
Mr.. Bosom in favor Of the resolutions pre-
scented by him, Hon. Barbour Lewis being
loudly called for, rose and said in sub
stance:
Mr.. Chairman l regard the proposition
before us as one of vital Importance, and .
deeply affecting the honor, the prosperity
and the future interests Of our State. The
present school law is measure of ncalu-
liable value to our people. am persuaded
that they appreciate it. No measure ever
proposed to our people, except Kidding
chem of the curse and incubus of slavery,
was half SO noble and benfcent. The ed
ucation of every child in the State is impor-
atively demanded by every consideration of
duty and patriotism. The highest mental
and moral training is the sacred right Of
every child within our borders. No man
can refuse that precious boon without re-
to present duty and future respon-
sibilities that cannot be ignored or forgot
ten.
Our school law as it now exists is admir-
able in most all its great features, and needs
but one or two simple amendments to make
it thoroughly efficient Ii ought, in my
Judgment to be so amended that the money
can be drawn promptly and paid to faith
full teachers every quarter, as they earn 1t.
Then our schools can be kept up with Ger
tainty, and the greatest possible benefits be
derived from them. A good commence
ment has already been made, Our patriot
ic Governor has always given it his cordial
and earnest support. The vast majority OF
the intelligent and enlightened members Of
our General Assembly are hearty in its ia
vor. The masses of the people arc warm and
jealous in its advocacy. The State Super
intendent is, by general consent Of our citi-
zens of every class, the best fitted for his
duties of any man in the State. His edu-
cation, his experience, his previous training,
his earnestness and high integrity, all pro
claim him eminently the right man IN the
hight place. The county superintendent,
generally. have been wisely chosen, and by
heir efficient and devoted cxertions have
vindcated their appointments, and com
mended the law itself 10 popular favor. 1t
is folly to suppose that the people viii
yrudge the money necessary to provide Tor
Universal education. They will Cheeriully
,ay the necessary taxes for such purpose.
Iheir only wish is TO sec the money faith
ully applied, and of that they have no fear
rbev know that school houses cost less