The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-16
From Our Special Reporter.
EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
VIRGINIA I'm SESSION AT
LEXINGTON.
ST DAY.

FIRST DAY.
July f3, 1869.
The Educational Association of Virginia
met here this evening in the College chapel
Professor John b. Minor, OF the University
of VIRGINIA. in the chair. it was opened
with PRAYER by Rev. DIR. n. l.. Rice OF MIS-
souri,.
About sixty delegates are present, among
whom may be mentioned General h. T..
Lee and other professors of Washington
College, General +. II. Smith, Commodore
Maury, and other professors from virginia
Military Institute. Professors Holmes. MI
nor. and Gildersleeve, University of Nir-
cinia DR.. b. NJ. Smith. Theological Semi
nary; and Professor Martin, OF Hampton
Sidney: Professor Edmund Harrison, Rich
mond College Professor 7. Il. Price, Ran
dolph Macon; Professors G. II. Winston,
d. Lee Powell, and John NJ. Strother, Rlch-
mond; Major r. W: Jones, peters6EurS'
Professors w. X. Abbott and Howe Coch-
ran charlottesville: Professor {. l.. Cooke,
Roanoke: Professor w. II. Peasants, Bed
ford Professors c. S. bod and II. \: Is.
Wood, Rockbridge; Judge Legare, Alex
antlria: Professor y. 4. Eaton, tennessee !;
DR.. n. l.. Rice, Mo. Rev. j. b. Shearer,
Halifax; and many others. Professor
Holmes, General Smith, and Rev. y. VIII
liam Jones, were appointed on order OF pusi-
uess, and Professor Winston, Kew. .: b.
Shearer, and General Smith, ON nominatloiis
of officers.
The following officers were reported and
unanimously elected:
Professor J.B. Minor, president; General
+. II. Smith, first vice-president; Hon. d.
p. Holcombe, second yice-prcsident Judge
j, w. Lagare, third vice-president; PROBES
SOL E. Harrison, fourth vice-president !;
Professor E. S. Joynes, corresponding Sec
rotary; Professor w. K. Abbott, recording
secretary and treasurer; Professor John
Hart, auditor.
In presenting the report, Professor WIN
ston stated that it was the unanimous wish
of the committee, and he doubted not OF the
convention also, to have as president Gene
raj r. L. Lee, but that they had declined to
nominate him in Difference to what was I'M
derstood to be his wishes.
In accepting the position, Professor Mi
nor said that he, too, was very anxious that
the illustrious gentleman named should
connected with the Association as its presi-
. dent. He was deeply impressed with the
importance of this Educational Association
Mt this time. We have need of matured
views especially on the importance OF gene
rul education, and the method by which 1t
can be best promoted. We are on the verge
Of great revolution on this subject. The
teachers Of the State should take the lead,
and he was anxious that the chief burden
should have been laid on him who may
well be called the AtldS Of the Common
wealth.
But he thanked the Association for their
renewed confidence, and should endeavor
TO discharge the duties of the position to
the best of his ability.
The report on "Subjects of Education OF
most Importance in Virginia at this Time"
being called for, Professor Joynes excused
himself for not having written a report.
There had been no change IN his Judgment
of the relative importance of the different
subjects save that, perhaps, in our present
circumstances and views primary educd-
ton needs to be especially insisted on, and
the "threc royal RS" to be ditfused among
the masses.
Professor Holmes agreed with the general
tenor of Professor Joynes's remarks, but
urged that we want m0rGtas well as mental
cultivation. And especially must we have
this under the present state OF things i'll
Virginia.
DR.. b. NJ Smith said that we wanted an
other "royal R." which shall represent
.Rcltmon. This should be taught in all OF
our SchoolS-not scctariani>m, hut the com
mon foundation principles OF evangelical
religion.
He agreed with Professor Joynes on the
importance or popular education, ana
urged that common schools are the "inter-
nal improvements " that we most need. He
took UP the various objections to popular
education, and ably and facetiously replied
to them.
He wanted all classes to read, and was
fully persuaded that if evils flow from this,
much Egreater evils will flow from the igno-
rance of the masses.
Professor D. Lee Powell then threw out
the suggestion that as an association we
might do valuable work by indicating to
"thc powers that be" the proper men to
be put i'll control of the common schools of
Virginia.
Professor Joynes urged that the educated
teachers Of Virginia should show a lively
interest in common schools, and should seek
to make them i'll all respects Virgiman.
Professor L. r. Price said that he had de-
sired to hear Under this report q discussion
Of this question What branches should be
included in our common school course and
how they should be taught.
Professor Holmes urged the Importance
OF the study of English in our schools and
colleges, and said that it was better spoken
in America than anywhere else, and better
i'll Virginia than in any other State in Ame-
RIGA.
The committee were discharged with the
understanding that another committee
would be raised TO report next year on the
same subject in Il modified form.