Indiana State Sentinel

Common School Convention.

At a meeting of the citizens of Indianapolis, friendly to the cause of common school education, held in the Court House on Monday evening, Jan. 25, 1847. Calvin Fletcher was appointed Chairman and Hervey Brown, secretary. Whereupon, after the object of the meeting had been announced by the chairman, a committee consisting of Messrs. H. W. Beecher, E. R. Ames, J. S. Bayless, J. M. Ray, and O. Butler, were appointed to make arrangements preparatory to the holding of a State common school convention in Indianapolis on the fourth Wednesday in May next, and report their proceedings to this meeting on Wednesday evening next.

On motion the meeting adjourned to assemble on Wednesday evening in the lecture room of Rev Mr. Gurley's church.

Wednesday Evening, Jan. 27, 1847.

The meeting having assembled pursuant to adjournment, Rev. Mr. Beecher, chairman of the committee, previously appointed for that purpose, reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, the Legislature of Indiana, at its present session, has passed a joint resolution recommending a State common school convention, to be held at Indianapolis on the fourth Wednesday in May next, and whereas, we heartily concur in the objects of said convention. Therefore,

1. Resolved, That all persons friendly to the cause of common school education are cordially invited to attend the said convention; and that literary associations engaged in the promotion of education, and voluntary assemblies of the citizens, be requested to send delegates to said convention.

2. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to make arrangement for the entertainment of the delegates.

3. That a committee of seven be appointed to correspond with and procure the attendance of gentlemen from abroad; also to prepare and issue a circular to persons friendly to education in every county in the State, setting forth the objects of said convention, and soliciting statistical information in respect to the condition of common schools in each townships of the State, so far as it can be obtained.

The Chairman appointed Messrs. Blake, Hubbard and Hannaman a committee of arrangements, and Messrs. Beecher, Ames, Bayless, Ray, Butler, Bolton and Cressey a committee of correspondence, under the second and third resolutions.

Mr. Bolton presented a paper containing the following expression of sentiment, which was unanimously adopted:

The joint resolution passed by the Legislature holding out the recommendation to every citizen of the State, friendly to the common school interest, who can conveniently spare the time for that purpose, to come up to the Capital and deliberate with his fellow citizens on this great question. Indiana has justly gained the applause of our sister States for her munificence in the education of her deaf and dumb and blind, and for her laudable efforts to bring back to reason or ameliorate the condition of the unfortunate insane. Why, then, should she not, as the great act of her policy, rise up as one man and send the lights of literature and science to every cabin in the land! We have a splendid legacy handed down to us for the support of common schools, and a constitutional provision at all times staring members of our Legislative councils in the face, on that subject; and the present Legislature, alive to its duty on this question, has recommended a common school education convention.

We have but to look at the census of 1840 and other statistics, to see the wants of Indiana, as well as other States in this great and mighty valley, where the star of empire is now rapidly wending its way. We rejoice that a great movement is now being made, in which the whole west will unite, to carry on this great work of common school education. Let not Indiana be behind her sisters, but let the news of this movement be spread broadcast over the State; let our editors recommend it: let the school teachers, as a great and powerful army, further the work: let our attorneys, while attending our spring courts, see that at least one speech be made on the subject at every county-seat; let the pulpit also speak out on this great question, which is to result, we trust, in a more enlightened Christianity. Finally, let all who have influence, in any sphere of life, see that this convention is well attended, not doubting that the result will be the adoption of a system of common school education, at the next session of the Legislature, that will add to the glory and honor of our beloved State. What patriot, christian or philanthropist, who has it in his power, will fail to attend so interesting a convention—a convention which we trust will tell most favorably upon our destiny in centuries to come.

Mr. Bolton concluded by offering the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That we heartily concur in the objects of the common school convention to be held in this place on the fourth Monday in May next, and we hereby pledge ourselves to make all suitable arrangements for the accommodation of all those, from different parts of the State, who may attend upon its deliberations.

Ex-governor Slade of Vermont, being present, was invited to address the meeting on the subject of common school education. He complied with the invitation, and delivered a very interesting and instructive address, in which he urged the intimate dependence of our highest prosperity as a nation, upon the intellectual and moral elevation of the masses of the people, and set forth in very impressive terms the importance of a good common school system in order to the attainment of this important object.

On motion of Mr. Gurley, the thanks of the meeting were tendered to Gov. Slade for his interesting address.

And thereupon the meeting adjourned.

CALVIN FLETCHER, Chairman

HERVEY BROWN, Secretary.