Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-03


worth in the chair.
After prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Black, of
Cleveland, the minutes of the previous
DAYS sessions were read and adopted.
The names of various members present
were read by the secretary and after an
nouncing that the association was ready to
receive members, the subject of "NormaI
schools and their relations to an efficient
system of common schools was discussed
by B. w. Mcdonald, President of Cumber-
land University. He said that he had be-
gun the investigation of normal schools a
long while ago under very unfortunate cir
cumstances. His investigation satisfied
him that like everything else normal schools
could be perverted, yet honesty
compelled him to admit that these
men (teachers) causing this perversion were
at least equal to those who had never been
in these schools. But history and expert
ence had also proved to him that these
schools were not retrospective. Prof Celia
rius first started Normal School in Halle,
1897 which has put in motion grand
power, for in that school the result of indi-
vidual efforts took shape in State school at
the same place of Halle, in 1887, and since
thenhas gone on in an uninterrupted state
of usefulness. He referred TO the conditions
required of teachers in Prussia of having
graduated in the Normal schools. France
and England began afterward, and in 1929
in America private school was located at
Anndover, Massachusetts,; just ten years af-
ter the State moved in the direction, Mr..
Dwight having offered $4,000 10 start it
with. Its progress was slow, and in 1S48
small debt came very near suspending it.
The State appropriates $4,000 annually
now. New York to experiment upon the
system appropriated s, 900 for five years, be
fore the expiration of which these schools
were adopted as permanent system. New
Jersey at first appropriated $4,000
for the education of teachers alone, vet to
day the school buildings are worth 500 0O0
About eighteen States have done the same
thing, and all pronounce in its favor. Par
tisans have brought charges against the
Massachusetts, schools, an official inyestiga-
ton of which was that only eleven persons
made adverse reports, and those of per-
sonal nature, in answer to circulars sent to
every district in the State. The same was
done in Connecticut, and committee ap-
pointed by the Legislature stated that uni
fornity and better satisfaction were given
by the Normal teachers, the system Of in
struction, ETC., was more perfect than by
any other teachers. Ohio sent committee
TO Europe to investigate the Normal Schools
and they reported favOrably, commend
ing their character for adoption by the
State. He here showed that men who had
examined the system pronounce it valuable
because it secures well trained teachers,
saves experiments in employing teachers
prevents failures, gives practice under
tuition. Here the mode of making teachers
practical and qualified was explained. 1t is
claimed that these schools develop the best
means possible in the teacher for profess
sional and especial education-it aids the
beginner in his professional is cheaper to
the Satte and country. These schools save
the trouble of persons who desire to be-
come teachers travelling over countries to
learn the true and best method Of instruc-
tion-it gives homemade teachers. While
MARYLAND had only one hundred students
in her Normal School, she had twice as
many outside of her limits, twO-thirds of
whom, after graduating at other Normal
Schools, secured positions as teachers in
Maryland. He favored homemade teachers.
He once advertised Cumberland Uni
versity for a long time in certain news
paper, and not receiving any students from
published, asked why he had received no
benefits from the advertisement, and was
informed that all the teachers in the coun-
try were educated at the University of Yir-
ginia, and the students went to that college.
He did not have any i'll feelings to that col
lege, and the reason he wanted homemade
teachers, so as to secure attendance upon
the State schools, was not that he loved
Cmsar laac but hapaI1cp ba lovpd Roma
more.
Hence the Importance of educating our
own teachers. Normal schools in seventeen
States require that the pupils shall teach.
Shall the training of the children of Ten
nessee be merely subsidiary to something
else? Outside of our colleges how many
professional teachers do you know in our
Staten Our teachers as class are a failure.
The normal schools alone can secure a
sufficient number of teachers for State
such is claimed by those who have exam
ined the matter. If We had one thousand
teachers in Tennessee well trained in one
common school, they would make very
different impression upon the people and
control proper legislation.
Cousin went to other countries and after
examining the systems, told his people,
'.Do whatever you please, you have done
nothing until you have supplied France
with education"
Taxes and legislation availed nothing unless
you place proper men in the schOol-houses.
Prussia published over five hundred peda-
gogical works year before last. To train the
mind and developit-who knows its value +?
You dare not place an unfit man in the work
of training the immortal mind. There may
ha for e. tIa
thief, but, said the speaker, fear Heaven
con never forgive the murderers of the soul.
Hence the importance of well trained teach
ers. The speaker reviewed the past and
looked forward to the time when all should
be united in the cause of education, ire
spective of political opinions.
Gen. Kirby Smith next made few re-
marks to the Association, saying that the
subject had been so well, ably and elO-
quently discussed that but little was left to
him. He thought the Normal school the
basis of all public instruction-the key
stone in its arch-the deficiency of which
he attributed to a lack of energy. He gave
as the reason of Virginia schools sending
forth so many well qualified teachers was
due to the existence of Normal schoOl5sfOr
long number of years in that State. He
llldl II W dS ~ llldllliCSJ anu GlGtE ~
the interest of the whole State that there
could be no difficulty in securing the de-
sired object in Tennessee.
The Chairman announced that the sub
ject was now open for general discussion.
Mr.. Samuel p. Ament then addressed the
association and showed that he had favored
the system for long number of years re-
ferred to the difficulties and obstacles he
had encountered, and that he was pleased
to see the system meeting with the aid and
encouragement of the people. He referred
to its benefits and showed how, by an edu-
cation, two poor orphans are now occupy
ing high positiOns-Une being judge and
the other minister. Such was due to the
kindness and motherly care of Mrs. Felix
Grundy. to whom he himself was indebted
for all that he now possessed, having come
here, poor boy without dollar, fifty years
ago. He did not come before the meeting
to make any resolutions, but to add his
weight and influence, if he had any, in the
cause of the common schools.
Hon. j. NJ. Bright being called upon,
came forward and after assuring the aSsoci-
alton of his warmest wishes, asked that he
be allowed to resume his seat.
Mr.. S. =. Cunningham moved that as the
subject had been exhausted by the speeches,
report be asked from Capt. Donelson,
&c DILL 80