10 VIMU

The meeting was called to order by T. W. VALENTINE, of New York, who read the foregoing call, and stated the design contemplated by the proposed organization of a National Teachers' Association.

GENTLEMEN:-We assemble here to-day under circumstances of more than ordinary interest. It is true that our meeting is not large in point of numbers; our coming together has not been publicly announced in flaming advertisements; nor is it at all probable that the quiet gathering of a body of teachers in this great city will create such a sensation as a political or a commercial convention, representing merely material interests, might do; and yet, in its results upon the great cause of education directly, and upon the well-being of our country ultimately, this meeting may prove as important as many of those of a more pretentious character. We can not always see the end from the beginning. That noble band of patriots, who, more than eighty years ago, sent forth to the world from this very city, the immortal Declaration of Independence, could scarcely have realized the mighty influence which their action was destined to exert upon our country, and the world. All experience, as well as the Word of Inspiration, admonishes us not to "despise the day of small things."

Twelve years ago, in the Central city of the Empire State, the first State Association of Teachers in this country was formed. Some of you, gentlemen, who were present at that meeting, and were instrumental in calling it, can well remember the "fear and trembling" with which that enterprise was commenced. Until that period, the teachers of that State not only, but those of every other State as well, were almost entirely unacquainted with one another. A few neighborhood, town, or county associations had indeed been formed; but the great mass of teachers were merely isolated laborers, quietly engaged in the duties of their profession, and without any community of feeling, or concert of action. But what a mighty change have these few years wrought! Besides a multitude of minor organizations, no fewer than twenty-three State Associations have already been formed, each doing a good work in its own sphere of labor; and to-day I trust we shall proceed to raise the cap-stone which shall bind all these together in one solid and substantial structure.

But it may be asked, Have we not already in this country an organization which should include all its teachers, viz., the "American Institute of Instruction?" I answer, No. That ancient and honorable body-the first of its kind in this country, if not in the world-is essentially a New England enterprise, and only one of its meetings has ever been held beyond the limits of that section. It has been doing a vast amount of good for more than twenty-five years, and whatever may be the result of this meeting, I hope nothing will be said or done that can be construed into hostility to that society. But its founders did not intend, nor do its present supporters desire, to extend its jurisdiction beyond the New England States. Nor does the "American Association for the Advancement of Education," present just such an organization as we desire and need, as that was never intended to be wholly or mainly supported by teachers. What we want is, an association that shall embrace all the teachers of our whole country, which shall hold its meetings at such central points as shall accommodate all sections and combine all interests. And we need this, not merely to promote the interests of our profession, but to gather up and arrange the educational statistics of our country, so that the people may know what is really being done for Public Education, and what yet remains to be done. I trust the time will come

when our government will have its Educational Department just as it now has one for Agriculture, for the Interior, for the Navy, &c. Surely these interests can not be more important than those which pertain to the intellectual and moral welfare of our people. But until this shall be done—as it must be, sooner or later— we need some such combination of effort as shall bring the teachers of this country more together, and disseminate, as well as collect, educational intelligence. Such an effort is imperatively demanded of us, and I trust we shall at once decide to go forward and devise measures to accomplish these great objects. On motion of WILLIAM ROBERTS, of Pennsylvania, JAMES L. ENOS, of Iowa, was appointed Chairman.

On motion of J. P. WICKERSHAM, of Pennsylvania, WILLIAM E. SHELDON, of Massachusetts, was appointed Secretary.

Rev. Dr. CHALLEN, of Phila., read a portion of Scripture and offered prayer. D. B. HAGAR, of Massachusetts, offered the following resolutions:

Resolved, That in the opinion of teachers now present, as representatives of various parts of the United States, it is expedient to organize a "NATIONAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION."

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to prepare a Constitution adapted to such an Association.

The resolutions were discussed by Messrs. HAGAR, of Massachusetts; VALENTINE, of New York; HICKOK, of Pennsylvania; BULKLEY, of New York; CANN, of Georgia; CHALLEN, of Indiana; TAYLOR, of Delaware; WICKERSHAM, of Pennsylvania; BARRETT, of Illinois; WHELAN, of Missouri; and Rev. Dr. CHALLEN, of Philadelphia; all of whom favored the immediate organization of a National Teachers' Association.

The resolutions were unanimously adopted; and Messrs. HAGAR, CANN, and CHALLEN, were appointed the committee. Adjourned to 2 o'clock, P. M.

Afternoon Session.

Met in SANSOM STREET HALL. Statements and remarks relating to schools and education in different States were made by LYNCH, of Delaware; BULKLEY, and VALENTINE, of New York; RICHARDS, of District of Columbia; ROBERTS, and HICKOK, of Pennsylvania; and SHELDON, of Massachusetts.

The committee, through D. B. HAGAR, submitted the draft of a Constitution, which after a free discussion and some amendments, was adopted.

On motion of T. W. VALENTINE, the chair appointed a committee of one from each State represented in the Convention, to nominate a list of officers.

Evening Session.
"The Pro-

In the absence of Prof. RUSSELL, the address prepared by him, on fessional Organization of the Teachers of the United States," was read by Mr. VALENTINE.

A list of officers with Z. RICHARDS, Principal of the Union Academy, Washington, D. C., as President, was nominated by the committee appointed for this purpose, and elected by ballot.

President RICHARDS took the chair, and declared the National Teachers' Association duly organized.

After resolutions of thanks to parties who had made the session pleasant, and remarks from several members of the Association-pledging faithful efforts in behalf of the enterprise thus auspiciously inaugurated—the Associa tion adjourned to meet at the call of the Board of Directors in August, 1858.

LIST OF MEMBERS.

ORIGINAL MEMBERS AT PHILADELPHIA, AUGUST 26, 1857

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF TEACHERS.

AN ADDRESS TO THE CONVENTION OF TEACHERS OF THE UNITED STATES, HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, AUGUST 27, 1857, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FORMING A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF THEIR PROFESSION.

BY WILLIAM RUSSELL,

[Editor of American Journal of Education, 1826-8.)

FELLOW TEACHERS:- -We are met on a great occasion. For the first time in the history of our country, the teachers of youth have assembled as a distinct professional body, representing its peculiar relations to all parts of our great national Union of States. The event is a most auspicious one, as regards the intellectual and moral interests of the whole community of which, as citizens, we are members; and, to ourselves, professionally and individually, it opens a view of extended usefulness, in efficient action, such as never yet bas been disclosed to us.

We meet not as merely a company of friends and well wishers to education, one of the great common interests of humanity, in which we are happy to coöperate with philanthropic minds and hearts of every class and calling; but we have at length recognized our peculiar duty to come forward and take our own appropriate place as the immediate agents and appointed organs of whatever measures are best adapted to promote the highest interests of society, by the wider diffusion of whatever benefits are included in the whole range of human culture. In stepping forward to take the professional position now universally accorded to us, we do so in no exclusive or selfish spirit. We are, in fact, only complying with the virtual invitation given us, by all who feel an interest in the advancement of education, to assume, in regular form, the acknowledged responsibilities of our office, as guardians of the mental welfare of the youth of our country, responsible to the whole community for the fidelity and efficiency with which we discharge our trust. The liberal measures recently adopted in so many of our States for the establishment of permanent systems of public education; the generous recognition, now so general, of the value of the teacher's office and his daily labors; the warm reception offered to every form of teachers' associations-from those which represent whole States down to the local gatherings in our towns and villages-all intimate the universal readiness of society to welcome the formation of a yet more

16

extensive professional union of teachers-of one co-extensive with our national interests and relations.

We meet the invitation, not as a mere professional recognition, entitling us to withdraw from the ground which we have hitherto occupied, in common with the friends of education, whether of the learned professions or of other occupations, in the promotion of its interests, and, by an exclusive organization, to cut ourselves off from all communication beyond the limited sphere of a close corporation. It is in no such spirit that we would act. But we do feel that there is a duty devolving on us, as teachers, which we desire to fulfill. We feel that, as a professional body, we are distinctly called on to form a national organization, that we may be the better enabled to meet the continually enlarging demands of our vocation for higher personal attainments in the individual, and for more ample qualifications adequately to fill the daily widening sphere of professional action.

We wish, as teachers, to reap whatever benefits our medical brethren derive from their national association, in opportunities of communication for mutual aid and counsel. We desire to see annually a professional gathering, such as may fairly represent the instructors of every grade of schools and higher institutions, throughout the United States. We hope to see a numerous delegation, at such meetings, from every educating State in the Union, of the men who, in their respective State associations of teachers, are already responding to the manifest demand for distinct appropriate professional action, on the part of those on whom devolves the immediate practical business of instruction.

Teaching is, in our day, an occupation lacking neither honor nor emolument. Those who pursue this employment are in duty bound to recognize the position which is so liberally assigned them. The vocation is well entitled to all the aid and support which an acknowledged professional rank can confer upon it. The personal interest of every individual who pursues the calling, or who means to adopt it, is concerned in every measure which tends to elevate its character or extend its usefulness. Every teacher who respects himself, and whose heart is in his work, will respond, we think, with alacrity to the call which the establishment of such an association as we propose makes upon him for his best efforts in its aid.

From the formation of a NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS, we expect great NATIONAL BENEFITS:

1. As regards wider and juster views of education, and correspond ing methods of instruction.