Educational Convention — proceedings.
[reported for the Richmond Dispatch.]
Columbia, S. C., April 29, 1863.
I had intended to give you daily accounts of the doings of the Educational Convention, now in session here, and, indeed, commenced to do so; but finding the main points would be communicated to the press by telegraph, I concluded to wait and write a more general account of the proceedings.
Some sixty members are in attendance, representing Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana.
They organized a permanent body, to meet annually, and to be known as "The Educational Association of the Confederate States of North America," and to consist of such teachers and other persons identified with the educational interests of the country as may be elected.
Dr. Reynolds, Professor of Roman Literature in the South Carolina College, was appointed President, and Willie J. Palmer, Superintendent of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute, Raleigh, Corresponding Secretary.
One Vice President was appointed from each State represented.
Virginia is represented by Revs. W. T. Davis and Thos. Hume, Jr., of Petersburg, and Rev. Geo. B. Taylor, of Staunton, and the first-named gentleman was made Vice President from that State.
Letters were read from President Davis, Governor Vance, and various professors and teachers in the South, some merely expressing regret at inability to attend, and others telling of books in course of preparation, and making sundry suggestions on the general subjects to engage the Convention.
To-day has been pretty much occupied in heaving from the different States as to textbooks, either prepared, or in course of preparation.
The exhibit was most gratifying.
It seems that spelling-books, readers, arithmetics, grammars, and Latin books, are being produced in abundance.
North Carolina, especially, has already gotten out quite a variety of primary books, which have been published in very neat style in Greensboro': Dr. Reynolds well remarked that the name Rip Van Winkle, as applied to North Carolina, must now receive the new interpretation of the little boy, who, when asked why his State was called "Old Rip," replied, "Because she rips ahead of everything so." Messrs. Davis and Taylor spoke of several text-books which they knew to he in course of preparation in Virginia, and the latter gentleman stated that at the breaking out of the war he was engaged on a juvenile series designed to be devoted to the several Southern States, describing their peculiar productions, interesting localities, etc., and also that he proposed to prepare a "Child's History of the War."
Strong resolutions were adopted favoring the preference of primary text-books prepared and published in the South.
In the course of the discussions, which took a wide range, many suggestions were made as to modes of teaching.
Much good fellowship prevailed, and many bond mots brought down the house.
During my week's adjourn in this city, I have divided my time between the Shiver House and the Congress House.
It is no puff to say they have none of that favor of war scarcity which now is so strong in hotels almost everywhere else.
On the contrary, they are so neat and elegant, and the fare is so good, that one feels while in either as if he were indeed in a new world. Massanutten.
P. S.--April 30.--To day a committee was appointed to issue an address to the public on the objects of the Association; and another, consisting of one from each of the States represented, to consider and report at the next meeting of the body a course of study for made and female schools and colleges. It was agreed to hold the first annual meeting of the Association at Atlanta, Ga., on the first Wednesday in September, 1863. M.
