The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-19
NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL .cosyENTIoy.

y
Third Day. Observation-Disclosures Of the
Teachers Of the United ststes.
TRENTON, N. j.. August Is, 1859.
The most imposing demonstration connected with
the National Educational Convention now In session
in this CITY, occurred to-day The members OF the
National Teachers Association held their ninth
annual session. and In point OF numerical attendance
1t was decided success. About 1000 pedagoguss
Of both sexes representing all parts OF the Union
assembled at ten O'Clock this forenoon inthe Model
Hall Of the New Jersey Normal school. VIEWING
the assemblage from the reporters stand an array
OF intellectual visages was presented Is diverst.
ned a. pleasing. An unusual characteristic OF the
contour OF the female portion OF the pedagogues
was the conjunction Of intelligence ana beauty not
to be always found In similar congregations. The
projectors OF the Convention erred seriously In an.
nouncing the promised presence to-day of Governor
Randolph and Ex-Governor Parker to deliver ad.
dresses. Both these gentlemen never signined their
intention OF attending the Convention, and hence
the specified programme could not be observed.
At ten O'Clock the proceedings were opened with
PRAYER BY the Rev. Samuel Lockwood Of New yer.
s ssSso5ss Of the Monmouth county public
Dr. Hart then introduced Judge R. s. Field, Of tho
presenting himself, said that on behalf OF the New
Jersey State Board OF Education and the Trustees Of
the New STATE School, ns Welcomed
they did the great industrial interests OF our coun
try he felt an honor in Trenton being selected "a
priety and fitness In the choosing The New Jer.
sey State Normal School has claim TO make you ts
founder Of the National Teachers' Associauon. HI .
predecessor, DR.. Phelps was the 1rst president Of
the association The latter was the first principal
ence like Minerva from the brain Of Jupiter Judge
naoIA aaxyou Trad nv Hast nj otu
ton Of the New Jersey Normal School, and concluded
BY again welcoming the ladies' and gentlemen.
then introduced the Representative teachers 81 the
United STATES collectively to Judge Field, ana OBJ.
served that the teachers were daily achieving victo.
lift up the lowy and add lusre to tue dignity Of the
noble. The school houses Of America were our grand
the light should be- let TO shine They had
met now to devise practical expedien@ 70
teachers Mr.. Van BoKssen returned thanks to the
people OF Trenton for the accommodation ana
courtesy so spontaneously offered BY them: he naa
also to thank the leading Journals for their
interests. The press OF America Is the firm friend
and the faithful expounder anq. advocate Of public
q ssans 70
sending such an intelligent body OF gentlemen as the
corps Of correspondents present to report their pro-
Professor Brooks, Of Pennsylvania, offered 70.
recommending that committee Of i've be
for the purpose OF furnishing teachers to those in
want Of them ana securing situations for those who
desire them. The resolution was accepted.
Miss Swayze, teacher Of vocal culture in the New
Jersey State Normal School, presented class Of her
pupils with whom she illustrated her principles OF
Swayze. Miss Johnson and Miss Webb gave some elo.
cutionary readings. which were received with much
Dr.. Leigh, Of New York, then expounded his new
theory OF teaching foreigners the English language.
He expounded his views BY exercising class In
Children's Home Notwithstanding the little
orphans had been only under his tuteage for two
weeks they manifested marvellous proficiency In his
The following were appointed officers OF the Amerl-
can Normal school Association for 1859 and 1S7o:--
President John Ogden Nashville, Tenn; Vice Presi-
Dents John M. Oicot Terre Haute, Ind; Thomas
smyth, Little Rock, Ark; John W: Armstrong Os.
Secretary A. 8. Barber, Washington, d. c.; Treas
surer, Albert G. Boyden, Brdgewater, Mass:
The following resolution was offered by Professor
Ogden and Adopted
Whereas the elements of protested science exist 10
somewhat chaotic state and would be materially bsnsasd y
there might be uniformity IN all the normal schools both IN
Reioivad That there Be appointed an educational council
or o e. as ls pcpy
the science of education applicable 10 normal schools an
study and pfadsies II hs normal schools
standard education and reduce teaching to
uniform system or regular profession.
The following were appointed q committee on
Teachers and Teachers Places:-Nessrs. Brookes Of
Massachusetts; White, Of Illinois, ana Payne, Of
Tennessee. Committee on Resolutions essrs. Ash
ley, OF North Carolina; Philbrck OF Massacnusettsi
Alcot Of Indiana; NQrthrup, OF Connecticut and
Chase, Of Florida. Committee on PublicatccS,-,
Messrs, Hart 81 New jersey Ogden, OF T:.nnessee;
Hlnkie 81 0Aio Harrington. of Massachusetts, ana
In the afternoon Mr. 2. Richards, superintendent
Of Schools, Washington D. O.. read paper on "Pri.
mary Schools -Radlca! Defects and Radical RENE.
dies" The paper embodied a vast amount OF mat.
ter and numerous suggestions. The writer main.
tanned that although there may be much to commend
there Ia also much TO blame In our system OF educa.
ton. Among the defects In primary training Is the
sudden and unnatural change from the freedom Of q
pleasant home to the restraint OF blank school
room, where the child must sit perfectly quiet with
folded hands and do nothing and say nothing for
hours each day. He thought there should be for
each class OF children at least two rooms-a school.
room for Intellectual training, and O play room or
exercise room, we'll provided with appliances for
amusement and physical training, and children
never should be confined to the schoolroom except
when they are actually receiving instruction. which
during the first five years Of his school life should DO
mainly oral
A discussion ensued ON the merits OF the paper,
which finally laid the table for future action.
At four O'Clock Judge II. s. Field, OF the United
States District Court for the District OF New Jersey,
came forward and read an able paper on the "Obt
cations OF Christianity to Learning" IL embodied
the principles enunciated by the Judge IN his ora
ton delivered before the American Wing Society at
Princeton College recently, and published in the
HERALD OF the time.