The Cairo evening bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1868-1870, 1869-01-15


AT the meeting of the Southern Illinois
Teachers Convection, which was held in
Centraia on The list, I'd and ,,d of September
last, the following resolutions were adopted
by that body in regard to the establishment
ola Normal University for the southern half
OF the State, viz .l
WHEREAS, The public school system in
this state Is recognized IA being vitaly essen.
tial to the preservation Of freedom and vir.
tue, and therefore to the future existence of
democratic principles or republican govern
mentt and chcrcas the efficiency OF this sys-
tenn depends largely upon the ability and
training OF the teachers; and whereas, the
great State Of Illinois has in It's wisdom es-
tablishod a Normal University in the north
ern half OF this State, of which we are Justly
proud and this University having demon.
strated its usefulness and the necessity for
MS existence, and being quite unable, not.
outstanding the greatest exertion Of its en-
ergetic and ovcrworked faculty, TO supply
the demand for teachers well trained In their
profession FOR the public schools; and iehereas,
the population and wealth ofthe State of Iii.
nois has more than doubled since the open.
ing Of The present Normal University; there
Resotred, That this association appoint
committee Of fifteen, whose duty IL shall he
to memorabilia the legislature at its next
session and do all other things which may be
necessary TO secure the early establishment
ola Normal University in Southern Illinois.
. ReSotred, That the county superintendents
and all school officers and other friends of
education in Southern Illinois be requested
to cooperate with the committee
There Is great movement in educational |
matters going on in the southern part of |
this State, Many able men are laboring hard |
In hrinn Tho gI.hf,,ls nm. -
position. But there should yet be much more
earnestness and spirit manifested by all, in |
all parts ofthe country, In hcgrcat cause of |
education. Every citizen of this widespread |
country should be fully persuaded that the
education o! the people is the only permanent
basis of national prosperity not only, but OF
national safety. n n az z ~hHFf'HiI !
Men have labored hard; they have taxed
their minds, their fortunes, and their strength,
To Improve the condition Of the world, and
make II what II should he but the only radi
cal cure for the ignorance, vice and woe of
this wiTld Is IN the education of the intellcc-
:ual ana moral faculties OF the people. Ifthe
guardians of the public welfare would do AS
good "a par in educational facilities as they
do In Toe uiher interests of the country there
would soon be "A revolution in our schools
and sys'nAIs Of education. IL we would all
labor with as much zeal aud .earnestness in
the great cansC of human culture, and in CIV
ing 10 the mind, and also To the body, all the
power and all the beauty, of which tits ca
pablo, rs we do In the cause of political mat.
tiers OF the country, we would soon have
different state of affairs both in public and
private life. five would take, care of the
schools the country would take care of itself
If intelligence is the price of liberty, so is
slavery the penalty of ignorance We must
furnish books or bonds We must pay for
she education of the people or we must pay
ief prisons and chains Unless the right hab-
It's, tastes and associations are early formed,
they never will be formed. There are no
means which we can use which will be so ef-
iectnhl IN awakening healthy public senti
ment on the sIbject of education, nor of
awakening and en'isting public opinion in
favor OF The great "ause of education, as by
the establishment Off Normal University.
Writer has said tina, God has made lit
erary institutions the most enduring of human
organizations" lf this Is true, the principles
formed Tor the elevation of humanity and the
good OF mankind at our Literary Conventions
and Universities Of learning will live on for.
ever, evenfhough We, as a people, pass away
with the nations that are gone. The eyes Of
thoughtful men are turned with unusual In.
terest 10 the influence of the free schools
upon the destiny Of the country, and We
should guard with vigilance the intellectual
and moral energies of the people. There
should be the right teaching and training,
and the public mind should be stored with
correct knowledge, wisdom and virtue; and
In this act we will build sure bulwark
around the growing interests of our COUNTRY.