the teacher's office, seem equally due, as a matter of justice, to instructors as a body confessedly competent to the task of judging of the fitness of individuals for the office which they themselves sustain; and in all matters pertaining to which, they ought to be better qualified to judge than the members of any other profession can be. A certificate of competency to teach, warranted by a teachers' association, ought, moreover, to be a far more satisfactory passport to employment, than a similar document from any other source, even when that source is official, and sanctioned by law. Were teachers to come forward and claim their proper position in this respect, persons engaged in other pursuits would, in all probability, gladly resign the onerous task which is now so commonly imposed on them, and free themselves from a responsibility always irksome, partly from the apprehension of doing injustice, perhaps, to a diffident candidate, and partly, in not a few cases, from the consciousness of incompetency to judge with exactness of details of knowledge which do not come within the sphere of the examiner's personal information. A national association of teachers, when duly organized and incorporated, might perform a valuable service to the interests of education, both for teachers and the community in general, by assuming the responsibility of admitting or rejecting candidates for membership, and for our various grades of schools, by some fixed and universal standard. Certificates founded on such a principle would possess a high value as professional documents, whose currency would properly be co-extensive with the Union, and would insure to their possessors immediate acceptance in their profession, wherever they might establish themselves, while the security in such cases would be equally valuable to the community, as the assurance of obtaining a competent teacher in whatever grade of schools the applicant might be employed.

The question, how would the proposed examination of teachers be conducted? has been started as an obstacle to such a course of procedure as is now proposed. The answer to this question, whether put with reference to a State or national association, is, we admit, that, at first, in the actual condition of things among us, as regards the whole matter of education, it can not be expected that admission to membership can take place in virtue of the process of examination, in the absence of a preëxisting recognized authority; and not till such authority exists, by act of the association, can any regular examination be conducted. As a self-constituted and selfperpetuating body-so far as examination and certificates are concerned-it must commence its operations on the basis of such mem

bers as it consists of, previous to instituting examinations. This would render it necessary to make a beginning by constituting every individual whose membership dated from the commencement of the association, a "passed" member, at the end of three years, or any other definite period of satisfactory length. All subsequent admissions to membership, in the capacity of passed mem bers, might be regularly conducted by committees appointed by the association, for the various grades of schools. Certified members of State associations would of course, be entitled, on joining the national association, to certificates of membership in the latter, by personal introduction from their State association.

The duty of conducting professional examinations has, by some, been supposed a thing impracticable, from its onerous demands of time and care. But the value necessarily attached to a State or a national certificate of examination and qualifications, would make it worth a reasonable sum as compensation for time and trouble on the part of the examiner; and a fixed rate could easily be assigned as the proper limit of expense incurred in such cases.

All precautions and securities usually adopted on behalf of other associations, as regards admission or exclusion, on proper moral grounds, must be presupposed as applied with reference to membership in a society of teachers. A right professional spirit would doubtless be an adequate protection in this respect.

In the way now proposed, or in any equivalent to it, the end desired might, without insuperable difficulty, be attained, and the best interests of our calling and of the community be effectually promoted. A powerful incitement to professional study and to professional diligence would thus be held up. A definite and an honorable rank would thus also be assigned to every worthy member of the profession.

But, whatever disposal may be made of the subject of professional rank and recognition for teachers, the great considerations of personal duty in regard to associated and united effort for the advancement of education, are the subjects that lie immediately before us. Fellow teachers, we are happy, we are honored, in being called to become the first movers in the contemplated national association. Let the record of this day tell, by the unanimity and efficiency of our procedure, and by the beneficent spirit of our endeavors, how faithfully we have labored in our part of the wide field of human welfare. May the Wisdom which cometh from above guide all our measures to the happiest results !*

*Mr. Russell being unable, on account of illness, to be present at the convention, the preseding address was read by one of the members, at the evening session.

NATIONAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONVENTION FOR ORGANIZATION.

PHILADELPHIA, August 26, 1857. In response to the following call addressed "To the Teachers of the United States," by the Presidents of ten State Teachers' Associations, a number of teachers and educators from various parts of the Union assembled in the Hall of the Controllers of Public Schools, in Philadelphia, on the 26th August, 1857, for the purpose of organizing a NATIONAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

To the Teachers of the United States.

The eminent success which has attended the establishment and operations of the several State Teachers' Associations in this country, is the source of mutual congratulations among all friends of Popular Education. To the direct agency, and the diffused influence of these Associations, more, perhaps, than to any other cause, are due the manifest improvement of schools in all their relations, the rapid intellectual and social elevation of teachers as a class, and the vast development of public interest in all that concerns the education of the young. That the State Associations have already accomplished great good, and that they are destined to exert a still broader and more beneficent influence, no wise observer will deny.

Believing that what has been done for States by State Associations may be done for the whole country by a National Association, we, the undersigned, invite our fellow-teachers throughout the United States to assemble in Philadel phia, on the 26th day of August next, for the purpose of organizing a NATIONAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

We cordially extend this invitation to all practical teachers in the North, the South, the East, and the West, who are willing to unite in a general effort to promote the educational welfare of our country, by concentrating the wisdom and power of numerous minds, and by distributing among all the accumulated experiences of all, who are ready to devote their energies and contribute of their means to advance the dignity, respectability, and usefulness of their calling; and who, in fine, believe that the time has come when the teachers of the nation should gather into one great Educational Brotherhood.

As the permanent success of any association depends very much upon the auspices attending its establishment, and the character of the organic laws it adopts, it is hoped that all parts of the Union will be largely represented at the inauguration of the proposed enterprise.

T. W. VALENTINE, President New York State Teachers' Association.

D. B. HAGAR,

66

Massachusetts
Missouri

46

46

J. TENNEY,

J. G. MAY,

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 wronght! 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 laterwe 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; aud 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.

In the absence of Prof. RUSSELL, the address prepared by him, on "The Professional 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.