Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-14

The United States School Commissioner is
just sending out the proceedings of the DO.
parment Of Superintendent of the Ma.
tional Educational Association, held at
Washington in January last. As no subject
il iraught with more vital importance to
Tho welfare Of our country than rs cduca-
tional advancement, this pamphlet, contain
ing az il does, numerous important papers
upon topics Of great usefulness TO educators,
and those who seek to further the well-be-
ing Of the youth Of the United States. is
one replotc with large amount Of valuable
instruction., especially to that portion Of The
community intcrestedi ia educational matters.
Tho members Of the association are,
chiefly, the various state supcrintcndcuts Of
the union, although its proceedings are par
ticipated IN by eminent meu, who have given
time and thought TO common school cduoa.
ton, presidents Of colleges. ETC.. and it. de-
liberations are presided over 10y the vice
president OF the United States. The latter,
in his address Of welcome, alluded to the
sharp criticisms and attacks which the COM
mon schools were meeting in various sec
tons, but thought that thi, apparently I'M
friendly discussion should not disheaiteu
their friends since IL is evident 10 the most
superficial observer that Che country is in
need Of more and better education, aud these
assaults may prove to be like the storms that
send the roots Of the oak deeper into tie
earth that supports it.
The first paper submitted was written by
the Hon. b. G. Northror, Secretary of The
State Board Of Education Of Connecticut,
and entitled Legal Prevention Of Hitter
acy.' 1t was mainly occupied in a rehear-
sal Of the workings Of the compulsory educa-
ton system of that state. The speaker as
serted that he believed compulsory educa-
ton impractical aud premature in commuui-
ties where free public schools are still nov
city, and whore, consequently, illteraoy pre-
walls; but where good schools have been long
maintained 10 is calculated to produce the
best results aud does not meet with any
strenuous opposition. This has been the case
in Connecticut, where al have obeycd its
provisions, and where no prosecutions and
penalties for It's enforcement have yet taken
place.
While Mr. Norlhrop does not favor a com
pulsory educational system, where it, through
the great ignorance Of the masses, must
be enforced by violence, he demonstrated
that similar legislation was now receiving
the encouragement Of every Heightened ma
ton on the globe, and that where it was
once firmly in operation it met the approval
Of all classes especially Of very liberal
thinkers, like NJ. Guzot, M Forster and
others.
The address met with the general az
proya OF the association, Mr. Newell, Of
Maryland, saying that though in the main
opposed to compulsory education, as eluci-
dated by Mr.. Northrop, he was convert to
it, although he deprecated the Inauguration
of any similar system until public sentiment
had been thoroughly conciliated. Mr.
Lackey, Of Pittsburgh, disscntel from these
views, maintaining that if we waited until
the people were ready for compulsory educa-
ton laws, we would have no need of them
lie thought them Of vital importance as one
Of the great safeguards of our republican
institutions.