--r.^ uMiversiiy Lioranes 
 
 Address to the 
 Conf Pam #665 
 
 DT^a7fl3Ee/ 
 
TO THE PEOPLE OF 
 
 At a conference of teachers and other friends of education, held 
 in Raleigh on the 9fh and 10th of this month, and representing Ji 
 large number and all classes of the schools of our State, the follow- 
 ing resolutions, offered by the Piiucipal of Floral College, -were 
 unanimously adopted : 
 
 Rcsokcd, That in the opinion of tliis Asseiubly representing a 
 lai'ge number of the colleges and seminaries, male and female, ot 
 North-Carolina, the contest no w going on for Southern Independence, 
 should commend itself to the hearts and consciences of all the peo- 
 ple of the Confederate States. 
 
 Resolved, That as this is a struggle for national existence and in- 
 dependence,it is to be maintained and carried on,under Providence, to 
 a successful issue, not only b}' legislative acts and by force of arms 
 in the field, but, also, in the school room, at the fireside, and by all 
 those moral agencies which preserve society, and which prepare a 
 people to be a free and self-governing nationality; and that, consid- 
 ering our former dependence for booksj for teachei's and for manu- 
 factures on those who now seek our subjugation, it is, especially in- 
 cumbent on us to encourage and foster a spirit of home enterprise 
 and self-reliance. 
 
 Resolved, That the recent unexampled progress of our beloved 
 State towards a leading position among her Southern sisters, is, un- 
 der God, mainly due to her great and noble educational system. 
 
 Resolved, That in this time of peril and trial it is of the first im- 
 portance that this system, constituting the greatness of the present, 
 and the hope of the future, should be maintained with energy for 
 the sake both of its beneficent results to us and to our posterity, 
 and as an illustration to the world of the civilization of the people 
 of the Confederate States, and of their right and ability to assert and 
 maintain their freedom and independence. 
 
 Resolved, That we recognize in the Common Schools of Xorth- 
 Carolina the broad, sure, and permanent foundation of her whole 
 educational system, and that we would respectfully and earnestly 
 
2 ADDRESS. 
 
 commencl to the authorities and people of the State the primary ne- 
 "ces^ty, and the vital importance of preventing even a temporary 
 * suspension of this nursery of popular intelligence and patriotism, 
 and of State iiulependcnce. 
 
 Resolved^ That a committee of twelve of whom Eov. C. H. "Wiley, 
 Superintendent of Comuinn Schools, shall be chairman, bo appointed' 
 to prepare an address to the people of North-Carolina on the sub- 
 jects embodied in these resolutions. 
 
 These resolutions embody, in a brief form, sentiments earnestly 
 uttered by the members of the Conference, and by i\ large number 
 of teachers who were unable to attend, but who, by letters, cordially 
 commended the purposes of the meeting. 
 
 It was felt to be a duty to endeavor to impress on the mind of the 
 public these views of those who have been laboring for the moral 
 advancement of the State; and in obedience to this imperious call 
 wc were aj4)ointed a committee to address you on the subject. 
 
 We confess that we, and those whom we represent, having an offi- 
 cial connection with our schools, resolved on this course at the ex- 
 pense of considerable delicacy of feeling; but, in the Providence of 
 God, we are placed as watchers over an interest of vital importance 
 to the welfare of our beloved country, and the plain and paramount 
 obligations springing out of this relation over-ride all other consid- 
 erations. 
 
 The crisis which is now upon us is the most solemn and the most 
 important which can happen in the political history of a people. 
 
 The contest in which the Confederate States of America are en- 
 gaged is not a war growing out of questions of commerce or political 
 complications — it is a struggle for national existence and indepen- 
 dence, and involving in the issue all that can affect the life of a civil- 
 ized peopl(2. 
 
 It requires, therefore, for its successful prosecution, the enlist- 
 ment of the mind and heart of all ages, of both sexes, of every class 
 of the people — and the continual ai(J, in their proper places, of all 
 those energies and appliances, moral and j)hysical, which, under God, 
 constitute and preserve the vitality and power of a nation. 
 
 Wo rejoice to believe tliat the valor and patriotism of our citizens, 
 and that enthusiahin which springs from a firm conviction of the 
 justice of their cause will render tlicm invincible in the open field ; 
 but when we remember our former position with respect to our ad- 
 versaries, and the purposes and feelings which now actuate tlium, we 
 have reason to fear that the result of battles, unless overwhelmingly 
 disastrous to tliem, will not for some time to come, drive them from 
 fheir deliberate and most selfish aims. 
 
#06 5 
 
 ADDRESS; 
 
 These two hostile nations were formerly'one political community, 
 living under a common Constitution, which, in words, guaranteed 
 equal rights to all; and the people of the slaveholding States being 
 mostiy engaged in agricultural pursuits, and looking upon their 
 whole country as one in interest, and' reposing confidence in the good 
 faith and loyalty of each member to tlie Federal Compac-f, v.ere not 
 afraid to rely on the Northern section for ,many -of those things 
 which, by a little temporary sacrifice, they could furnish among 
 themselves. 
 
 They felt a pride in the prosperity of every portion of their country, 
 and justly believing that all honest interests, are identified with each 
 other, they had no desire to force their pursuits and customs on oth- 
 ers, and were willing to encourage in oth6r States useful arts and 
 vocations not common to themselves.- 
 
 The result was that the South became almost wholly a producing 
 people, and the business of exchanging and manufacturing was left 
 to the North. 
 
 From this it naturally followed that the commercial centres were 
 in the Northern section, and there were printed the newspapers in 
 most extensive circulations, and there our books weregcncrallj' man- 
 ufactured. 
 
 Still fearing no evil, and feeling no inferiority, we wove inclined 
 to patronize theschoolsandthe teachers of the Northern States — and 
 in time we began to look to the people of these States for supplies 
 of everything except the raw produce of the soil. 
 
 From this state of things, those who now seek our subjugation by 
 force of arms were led to believe that we were an inferior race ;,and 
 as they furnished to us teachers, books, and all the productions of 
 art, they became more and more arrogant and cxactiog, and at last 
 assumed to, themselves the exclusive right .to dejtermitie tl^e political 
 relations of the whole country, at the same time giving us distinctly 
 to _y.nderstand that they would do it in a way utterly subversive of 
 our dearest rights and interests. . 
 
 We had been almo.st wholly dependent on the North for many of 
 - our supplies, but conscious of our political and intellectual equality, 
 we felt no disgrace until it was solemnly asserted that what we re- 
 garded as the natural interests of trade, inrolved and ought to in- 
 volve our moral degradation ; and the consequence is an unalterable 
 resolution on the part of nearly all the slave-hplding states to organ- 
 ize themselves into a new and separate nationality. 
 
 This step, sucessfully maintained, entails upon-the United States 
 not merely the loss of a large portion of its territory and of its peo- 
 
4 ADDRESS. 
 
 pie ; but it implies that those who constitute the new nationality 
 must, if they become a free people and a separate and independent 
 power, assume to themselves functions which will despoil their pre- 
 sent enemies of important sources of wealth and of an ai'parc^itly 
 intellectual pre-eminence. 
 
 It 13 this consideration which will nerVe our proud and exaspera- 
 ted assailants to great sacrifices for the present, with the hope, of 
 ultimate remuneration, if they can prevent our emancipation from 
 dependence on them ; and it is easy to understand from this brief 
 view of the issues involved in our present struggle that what our 
 enemies most dread is not a reverse of arms which, they vainly sup- 
 pose, will be temporay in its influence. 
 
 They justly regard this as a struggle on our part not for a merely 
 nominal existence as a political organism, or for the supremacy of 
 anus; but they know that the real principle at stake is that of mor- 
 al, social, intellectual and industrial equality, and they conceive that 
 its maintenance will be to them an irretrievable disaster. 
 
 It is, therefore, perfectly obvious that they would hail the demor- 
 alization of society here as a surer omen of their ultimate success 
 than a hundred victories on the battle field over the arms of a still 
 united, determined and self-relying people; and this consideration 
 alone would adniouLsh us of the necessity of nourishing the sources 
 of our domestic life, and of preserving in its integrity the whole 
 frame work of our social and moral organization. 
 
 BesideSjOur recognition as au independent nationality by the great 
 Powei's of Europe, would hasten the termination of this coflict ; and 
 while the necessity for our agriculturaj staples must have a decided 
 influence in securing a favorable consideration of our cause abroad, 
 a false impression as to our moral condition will operate, in the 
 same sections, adversely to our interests. 
 
 We all know the fact that the whole civilized world entertains 
 erroneous opinions in regard to tlie state of society in the slave- 
 holding states of America ; and wC'Uiay expect that the agents and 
 emissaries of our adversary will not be slow to avail themselves of 
 their opportunities to increase and confirm these prejudices. 
 
 By means of their newspapers, books and commerce, their thoughts 
 circulate through the nations, while the Southern mind and heart 
 are, to a great extent, cut off from the opportunity of giving them- 
 selves utterance abroad; and wc must, tliereforc, expect that the 
 erroneous and injurious opinions formed of us while we were a part 
 of the United States will be rectified only by the actual and close 
 inspection of those who need the productions of our soil. 
 
ADDRESS. 5 
 
 Tlie nations to whom tLese productions are a paramount necessity, 
 arc now compelled to examine for themselves the foundations of our 
 national strength — ^for if they arc satisfied that we cannot be speedily 
 reduced to subjection to the United States, they will be forced, by 
 tile exigencies of their position to open commercial intercourse with 
 us a's ah independent po^Yer. 
 
 Their eyes are, therefore, intently fixed on' all our movements'; 
 and it cannot be, doubted that they will judge of our self-sustaining 
 ability by that motal courage which triumphs over present difficul- 
 ties by grasping with a tenacious hold the hopes of the future, 
 
 ■ They are doing now what we have long asked the civilized world 
 to do : they'arc examining for themselves thfe state of our civiliza- 
 tion, and endeavoring thus to fol-m a just conclusion- as to what is to 
 be our future destiny. 
 
 Their present interests demand that they should pursue such a 
 course; and we may, therefore, be assured that every movement hero- 
 which indicates confidence, or the want of confidence in our own 
 resources, or which is calculated to derange the machinery of soci- 
 ety or to add to its strength, harmony, and compactnc-s, is fraught 
 ^ith the most tremendpus consequences to us and to our posterity. - 
 
 The institutions of no people have ever been more misrepresented ; 
 and no people 'fever had a more glorious' opportunity of acting out 
 .theirtrue character before the fixed and interested gaze of all man- 
 kind. 
 
 In yiew of these facts wc would appeal to the people of this great 
 State by every consideration which can address itself to their chris- 
 tian sentiment, •to their patriotism "and to their manhood, to rise to 
 the dignity of the trying but grand emergency in which they are 
 praced ; and under the blessing of Divine Providence, to act with 
 that foresight, firmness and heroism which will dissipate forever the 
 slanderous impressions as to the moral character of slaveholding so- 
 ciety, and which will render ilhistrious for all time the history of 
 the present, and fix on solid and enduring foundations the security, 
 prosperity and happiness of the future. 
 
 We would remind them that in every hard and protracted strug- 
 gle it is moral courage that always conquers; and that the victories 
 won on the battlefield by the endurance and valor of our heroic 
 troops, will be comparatively barren if we suffer society to become 
 disorganized, our institutions of beneficence to languish and perish, 
 and the light of religion and virtue which now irradiates our homes 
 and sanctifies our hearths, to be extinguished. 
 
 And in this connection we would call attention to the example of 
 
G ADDRESS. 
 
 our fatliers in n time wliicli tried the §ouls of jiicn, anil call' upojr 
 til.' incM -il' ;lii LL vneration to come up to tliis ^tanJard of the patri- 
 (jts and heroes of '76. •'.'•• 
 
 The Constitution of the State of North-Carolina/ w^s f )riueJ at 
 TIalifas, in tlie year 1776, aud soon after 'the Declarati" u - 
 
 pendence had been adopted by the Continontal Congress. 
 
 The. perkj)!*) of the Colonics which united in that Declaration/trcrc 
 fewer imiumbepg, and pprorer in resources/ thau tho people o^iSj^*. 
 Confederate States of America : tKcy had just entered vpon a (Jont^st 
 for independent national existence with the bravest And ifiost powerr 
 fal nation on earth', the armies of this power were on their soil, fCnJ 
 their armed and treach'erous adhe-v^"'^ • • re scattered through ■■>("y 
 community. 
 
 Our own colony, then assuming i.he uij^aity of a free and inuoi>eu- 
 dent State, was without commerce, manufacturcg^money or credit; 
 its population was cotuparatively small,, and scattered, much of its 
 territory unsettled, and the difficulties of inter-communication gretit" 
 and forbidding. ' ' ' ' ' . 
 
 Th^ statesmen who, just a.s the thiickcst gloom 61 this crisis lnj,cl' 
 settled on the country, met at ILiliiax to lay the foundations of jx 
 great commonwealth, adopted as part of- its fundamental law, /the 
 following clause : " T/i at a. school or schools shall be established bj/ 
 the Legislature, for tlie' convenient imtructioh of yoidh, tcUh such 
 salaries to the masters, paid by the public, as may enable them to in- 
 struct at low prices ; and all useful learning shall hediiJy encouraged 
 by (Me or more Universilies." — Constiiution of North-Carolina, ''■'■"- 
 tion 41.' 
 
 This illustrious action, the first movement of the kind on liie 
 continent, was worthy of thJ^men who were, also, first to uttm- ili^ir 
 voice in favor of independence ; and now, while we a'pe surr 
 with the glorious fruits of religion, knov/ledge and freedom, }iuwc;- 
 ful in numbers and in the strength and compactness of society, gr«at 
 in resources yet ufidevel^ped, but now within our reach, rich in 
 works of internal improvement, in agricultural staples, aud 'n\^ pe- 
 cuniary means, blessed with a vast, prosperous and growing syst(mi 
 of moral and educational agencies, united among ourselves, and con- 
 federate wiiih a people more numerous tlian they who carried on the 
 v^ar of the first revokition, producing nearly all of the stajile most 
 important to the manufactures of the world, -abounding iu every other 
 national resource, and as brave and enthusiastic as any the sun ever 
 shone upon, shall we be frightened from our propriety by the pomp- 
 ous threats of our inferior aud mercenary foe, and be driven to tho^fe 
 
ADDRESS. I 
 
 acts of, desperation ■\vlilcli will Lut feed his vanityy or Mii^iulate bis 
 malignant liopes ? 
 
 Shall we, for one raonicnt, give countenance to the charges slan- 
 dcrously^prcferred against the slaveholding States of Amprica, of 
 being inferior 4a moral and intellectual resources, and nccCssarily 
 dcpendcet on other oommunities for teachers,- for schools,. Wr litera- 
 ture,'fov thought, for mental and religious light 1 ■ Shall w^e permit 
 the fear of those who insolently assume to be our masters, and whom 
 we^woiild'not h^ve for our fellow-citi'zens, to paralyze all the moral 
 and intellectual agencies of this great and heroic people, and shut 
 •them up in the gloom and .desolation of utter darkness? Shall we 
 allow it to be said that tire blockade of our ports was- but a tj-pe of 
 the stagnation in the inner life of the Southern ntind. and heart as 
 soon as it was cut off from the moral resources of ^other nations? 
 Shall we so act in this time suited to test our inherent strength and 
 vitality (js to permit our eneni}^, grown and arrdgant from our for- 
 mer apparent dependence, to cha'*rgc that our institutions were sickly 
 for want of depth of soil, and as soon as'.the' suii of trial was up, 
 they were scorched and withered away ? • \ " . 
 
 Shall we, at the beginning of our netr history," tindo iiu; \^^;y .- . • 
 which liave.con>stituted the most honorable boast of the past? 
 
 Shall we permit the iinpartial judgment of future ages to make 
 unfavorable comparisons between the men of the first and oi'''"> i^^'^- 
 ond revolution % 
 
 If, fellow-citizens, we speak plainly in this matter, it is because 
 we are profoundly impressed with the iniportance of tte subject^ajtei 
 sensitively jealous for the honor of our country and of our genera- 
 tion, and are firmly convinced that if we, will be but true to our- 
 selves, the trials through which we are passing will prove a berfefi- 
 ce?ht Providence for the. development of eiiergies and resources which; 
 will render the Southern Confederacy one of the most happy, pros- 
 perous and powerful nationalities of the earth. 
 
 Let us be as courageous in the cabinet asin the"fie'ld, committing 
 ourselves and otii* cause to God', let us cherish the same confidence 
 in our moral that we manifest in our physical power, and indepen- 
 dence, in every sense, is within our reach. There can be no lasting 
 danger from an external and foreign power, when the sources of life, 
 within the body politic are in a healthy condition : a blow from 
 without, however serious, can only wound,vA\i\Q disease in the heart 
 is inevitable dcalli. 
 
 But there are other, and, as we conceive, paramount consider- 
 ations, which should induce us to keep up our educational system. 
 
8 ADDRESS, 
 
 ail J to exert every oilier agency calculated to preserve society, and 
 to develop- our moral and intellectual resources; and to some of 
 tliopc we -would respectfully and earnestly call your attention. 
 
 In the present condition of things in this wx>rld, wars ai'j^ <j£tcu 
 necessary and justifiable; and such is the contest in which thfe peo- 
 ple of the f^'^nfederate States are now engaged. , « 
 
 Nevertheless, every war is attended with temporary evils — aa4 it 
 remains with those who conduct it to diminish or neutralize thefci. by 
 means and applianf'S which God puts within iheir reach, No stfcch 
 struggle could he ju-t if it entailed evils which oould not be prer 
 vented, and which, in a moral sense, would overbalance the benefits; 
 but we are not of those who believe that a war for the defence, of 
 our homes, and for such institutions, religious and political, as those 
 with which wc are blessed, is in itself of such a character. • Its haz- 
 ards to the moral condition of things are undoubtedly great; 
 but for this very reason it ought to prove an advantage to society, 
 by giving vigorous and healthful exercise to all the moral faculties 
 of the counuunitj'. If we are equal to this occasion, wc will feel 
 that there are now devolved upon us the greatest responsibilities _ 
 which a christian people are ever called upon to discharge ; and if 
 we be endowed with the sentiments which ought to animate us, we 
 will carry on this war in the pulpit, in the school-room, at the fire- 
 side, and at every other point where wc are assailed by the great 
 enemy of human progress. 
 
 The minister, the parent, the tcaclier, aud every other laborer in 
 the moral vineyard, will find this foe encroaching upon the very 
 grounds where he has been stationed for defence ; and in the minds 
 and hearts of our younger children there ii? a citadel, whose posses- 
 sion, by good or bad principles, is to be decisive of our future fa,te. 
 Upon this strong-hpld the enemy will bring to bear all the subtle 
 devises of his infernal genixis — and while our eyes are wholly fixed 
 on a distant field, an encampment of evil principles may be fixed and 
 fortified in the very heart of our hopes. Itcajinot be expected that 
 the understandings of the very young will grasp the great principles 
 at stake in our controversy with the North; and while they are in 
 the midst of the more entertaining excitements of war, and out of 
 view of its sterner realities, there is great danger that their minds 
 will become dissipated, and that they will acquire habits which it 
 will be diflicult to eradicate, and which ma}'^ unfit them for those 
 great and solemn trusts which will soon be devolved upon them. 
 
 We say, without hesitation, that all the young men who can serve 
 their country in the field, and who arc there needed, should be en- 
 
ADDRESS. 9 
 
 eouraged to take up arms in defence of our common riglits ; but 
 after these have all left our schools, there will still remain a vast 
 number who are old enough to learn, and who will be learning 
 something, whether we take pains to instruct thein in right ways or 
 not. 
 
 We know that it is natural for the parent, whose heart is absorbed 
 with the issues at stake in our great contest for freedom and inde- 
 pendence, to imagine that the restlessness of his children originates 
 in feelings and thoughts kindred to his own ; but we would kindly 
 and respectfully submit, whether the natural indisposition of the 
 very j'oung to judicious restraints does not instinctively avail itself 
 of the confusion of the times, and whether the excitement of this 
 class, fed by fights and sounds, only exhilarating to them, can be 
 long encouraged without serious injury to their future welfare, and 
 to the success and safety of the country of whose rights and liberties 
 we are, under God, to be the guardians ? " 
 
 It would be lamentable to tliink that the glorious fruits won. by 
 the valor, patriotism, and christian manhood, by the toil, endurance, 
 and sacrifices of this generationy should be' lost by being committed 
 to the hands of those who would .have no conception of the dignity 
 and solemnity qf their trusts ; and permit us to ask, in all candor, 
 if idleness and animal excitement, reigning unchecked among the 
 the very yol^ng, may not tend to such a result? 
 
 It is no sacrifice to children to I'elease them from moral restraints 
 and from study; and thus, if they are to be free from, proper edu- 
 cational influences, this .day of trial and discipline to the parent will 
 be a day "of jubilee and levity to his off-spring; and while the crisis 
 will be developing the moral manhood of the former, and fittinjr 
 iiim for his task of achieving, it wjll be debilitating and dwarfing 
 the milid and energies of the other, and renderiiig him incapable of 
 the equally important task of preserving freedom. 
 
 Another consideration which we would, with deference, submit to 
 the people of North Carolina, is the promising condition of their 
 educational system, and the very intimate relations which it sus- 
 tains towards the ma^rial progress of the State. 
 
 Many of the States of the Southern Confederacy produce some 
 leading agricultural staple in such quantities as to insure to them 
 wealth and power ; but the greatness in North Carolina consists in 
 her diversified interests, and in the energy and skill necessary to 
 render them available. For the want of such energy and skill, 
 those interests were, for a long time, neglected, and our State was 
 lield back and enfeebled by the constant stream of emigration ; bui 
 
10 ADitnESS. 
 
 Bince|our edug^tjonal influen(^o.- u-lied the minds and hearjj 
 
 the masses, and our school literature has been tinctured wiHi sei 
 meats honorable to Norbh Carolina, the whole state of things, lias 
 been cou)plctcl^ changed, iind wc have advanced with more rapidi- 
 ty tlian uny community bjj the continent. Behold, to-daj-, the glo- 
 rious ipcnoration of young m6n who have, with ouc heart and with 
 many thousands of strong arms, sprung into instant heroes at the 
 call of their counlry,'aud who, with the chivalry of tJic world for 
 generous rivals have, iiv the very ontsct.of- this contest, emblazoned, 
 the fame of Norlli Carolina high and illustrious above those of all 
 her distinguished compeers. 
 
 ■ IIow ia the world, unfamiliar with what hasbeeu going on in the 
 heart of sotipty here, astonished at the spectacle which we now pre- 
 sent! ~ ' 
 
 Let us not forget tl^e sources of this now, healthy, and vigorous 
 life i#thc body politic, let us wisely rcraemlDer that th'c schools and 
 the school.litcratuvc of the State have been the great nurseries of the 
 popular energy and pati-iotism which now •enable her .to take such a 
 proTid positiuji in the struggle fur Southci'n independence. 
 
 The present war •found this educational system, in all its depart- 
 ments, from the Univcr.sity to the Common School^ just entering 
 upon a pros])crous and most hopeful conditiun, becoming a source of 
 imnicdiittc pecuniary profit to the state from. foreign patronage, lill- 
 ing.it Wj^Jh persons, mole and female, prepared for usefulness in all 
 tlic walks of life, greatly enhancing the amenities" of existence, rapid- 
 ly elevating the tone "of society among the ruling race, creating and 
 fostering a love of home, andean interest in its resources and institu- 
 tion,s, aad Infusing new life and energy into all the industrial pur- 
 suits of rio people : unfT now, shall these lights that were brightly 
 burniii to the AlleglKinies, throwing a cheerful 
 
 radiaiiji; <•-. r k.\:^ u....!.. /ace of Society, and exjioslngto ourgaze the 
 divcrsifio<l wealth and attractions of the gootjly land which God has 
 ■f^iven us, lie suddculy o:ctin'.,uishcd at the very time when darkness 
 and consequent confii'i"" 'I'l iiM'ntal depression will be our worst 
 
 enemies? • '^ 
 
 But again : il may !■ • -aid mar intellectual must precede or sus- 
 tain political independence — and we certainly know that a peoplej^" 
 who act on the thoughts of others, are not likely always to act for 
 their own interests. • ' 
 
 We all feel that tli-? time has come when we must think for our-*, 
 selves; but if our schools are stopped during the war, and all our" 
 teachers ccmpelledto betake themselves to other cmploymentsj what*, 
 will be the inevitable result ? 
 
ADDRESS. II 
 
 A moral agency canapt be ai-rested and started at pleasure like a 
 ihaterial machine; and an^e^ucational system which cannot, wofk 
 successfully for to-day^ without, also, planning for and drawin<y%on 
 the future, if once entirely -suspended -will be dfestroyed. To*start 
 afresh will be to build up a new,system— and this will be a labor of 
 many years, and- what, in t.he mean tiraOj, will be the result ? " ^ 
 
 Many, as in former tiincs, will send tke'ir children abroad to be 
 instructed-r-mapy will have to employ teachers coming from»abroad 
 and the very enemy whom we ai*e now fighting, and from wh(*e "po- 
 litical association, as unworthy and- disas'twus, we have withdrawn 
 will aim, praotically, to do our thinking for us, by pouring upon us 
 his school books and his other literature, by planning school houses 
 and scliool systems, and by avaiyng himsely of our immediate and 
 pressing wants to thrust himself insidiously' into o\ir midst and oc- 
 cupy th(5 resp()nsible places of tutors and mistreses infamily'Scljools. 
 The stoppage df trade with the North during the war, will niak^- 
 it a matter of cemparative profit to the enemy as Soon as peaceri^ 
 concluded, to flood us with his bo6ks at even half thdr usuaU'Co'sth^ 
 and thus it will then lie almost i^ipgssible" for • us io establish and ' 
 kQep up our own publishing houses.. , ' , 
 
 Now, there is a large class of text-book§ wiich every, independent 
 nation, if it w,ould' maintain its independence, must have writhe and^ 
 published by its own citizens; and the Soutliorn States of America 
 distinguished by a peculiar social system, and.rtie obnoxiouS;,to the' 
 phariseeis'ln of the world, are especially called on. to. think in such 
 things for themselves, and to see that their cln'Tdi'en are 'iii ;fnirtof| 
 out of their own writings. 
 
 But we go farther than this. Consciou. ,-. ^au vic aie ii,)[ in ;nr- 
 s^nse, afrlnfcrior people, and firmly convinced th^t our own pijsitinn 
 on the' subject of slavery is tlie right onef we contend tha,t .it is but 
 stvic^t justice to ourselves to think and writ® on some subjects f- 
 other nations, • , ' 
 
 Truth is eternal, arid for all places; and whenever its conclusions 
 are taught and enforced l)y our people, -yfhether in physicaKpr mwal 
 science^ we would not circum=cribe its intfuence- by the prefix of a 
 name itoplying only a*ectional use or importance. 
 
 The just 'defence of our society inxplies a condemnation' of that of 
 many other nations; and it is time that we cease to occupy the at- 
 titude of criminals arraigned before the bar of civilization and a-^;- 
 sume our true position of teachers of the unalterable truths of Reve- 
 lation. 
 
 To explain what we mean, we would remark that two opinions in 
 regard to slavery arc generally illustrated in the habits of nations. 
 
12 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 and that in the present condition of the world, almost every leaiiiu^'' 
 power holds some race of fellow-crcatnrcs in snhjection, enjoying the 
 fruits of their labor, as remuneratiou for protection, and the adnunis- 
 tratiftn of justice among them. 
 
 The theory of our practice is that the su'pefior shotild adopt the 
 infenor as a memljcr of hi.s household, placing him nnder his own 
 immediate snpervision, and that of hia wife and children, whore the 
 sympathieshetween u/anandman are brought into active play, where 
 i'verv*<wnut is seen and felt for, where every crime U discovered and 
 iiunished, and- where the influences of religion and of a constant ob- 
 servation of the "habits of a highei- ciTiliza^tion arc allowed to exert 
 their educational and disciplinary power. ■_ ' . •. ;« 
 
 We hold, that if we are to have others in subjection to ufe'at alT, 
 it must be in this way ; and that a fystc^u of personal servitude of 
 this kind, and for whose origin we are not- responsible,- is justifiable, 
 jvnd the only hind of paramount domination of race over race that is 
 justifiable by the light of God's- revealed Truth. . 
 
 In our moral science we are to teach this doctrine not merely fur 
 our own defence, but for the general promotion of justice amon^^ 
 men • and as our political and social system is put beyond the pale 
 of its svmpathy by all modern Jitorature, and can appeal to nothing 
 that i» N\iritten but the infallible Word of God, so would we have all 
 ^ur institutions to dip their roots in this Fountain of Living Waters. 
 
 It is a remarkable and anomalous fact that tlie people of the ('on- 
 federate States lire compelled to cut loose from human teachings in 
 defence of their social condition, and are shut up to the Holy Scrip- 
 tures; and in singular keeping with this state of things in the politi- 
 cal world, is the present position -of our schools. We are now near- 
 ly out of text-books, and are cut ofi" from the publications of Othei' 
 countries; aud this we hail as a merciful Providence, for a miserably 
 <Iilutcd morality, a subtle semi-infidelity had crept into ahuost every 
 modfern system of movals, and in fact diffused its poison into nearly 
 all the teeming productions pf the press. 
 
 As then, wc have to begin to construct and defend political theories 
 from the simjde Word of God, let us at once iill our schools with 
 books which draw all their efhical doctrines from this Divine source, 
 and which make the incarnate Son of God the centre and sun of 
 every moral system. 
 
 The want of books is now an immediate, practical and pressing 
 • me; and to devise some means of obviating this, was one of the ob- 
 iccts of the Conference which appointed us a committee to prepare 
 this address. 
 
ADDRESS. 13 
 
 ^ At a superficial glance this want Avould seem to be an additional 
 discouragement to our schools ; but it is obvious to us, and must be 
 to every reflecting mind, that if wc meet it with the proper spirit, 
 nothing could be more fortunate for us. 
 
 If we are ever emancipated from thraldom to foreign influences, 
 we must have our own authors and our own publishers ; and when, 
 we ask, could be a better time to begin the experiment of indepen- 
 dent thought and actioa? 
 
 If our schools arc kept up, they must be supplied with books 
 printed at the South— and thus, on the existence of these schools 
 depends the immediate establishment of houses of publication. The 
 first literature that pays, in any country, is that for educational pur- 
 poses, as this is a prime necessity wherever there arc schools : and 
 hence our school system is to be the patron- which is to call i^to life 
 a new and essential business at the South. Bounties will not stimu- 
 late a healthy production ; this always has and always will depend 
 onconsumj)tion. 
 
 In this respect our own beloved State enjoys a great and inestima- 
 ble advantage ; one hundred and fifty thousand pupils attend her 
 common f?chools alone, and the works used in these schools are ex- 
 actly such as the Soutli, in defence of her rights and hotior, must 
 produce for herself. 
 
 If then this system be preserved unimpaired, here ia at once_ a 
 market, whose demands will call out enterprise and capital for the 
 publication of books ; and the sirap^ question, ip regard to text- 
 books with teachers in our late Conference was, whether we would 
 oncourage the reprinting ef books already in use, or encourage the 
 production of original ones. It was, aft^r full debate, unanimously 
 resolved to pursue the latter course ; that voif, rkuit now is the 
 time to begin the work of Southern independence in iact as well a^ 
 theory. 
 
 It was determined to give the ordinance of secession immediate and 
 practical^ force, by immediate emancipation from actual dependence 
 r.n the North ; and it was thought that there were enough classical 
 l>ooks in the country to supply the schools fur a year or more, and of 
 Ikglish ones to last until others, known to be on the way, were ready 
 for use. 
 
 It was felt by the teachers, and we are authorized to sav for them, 
 that It the people and authorities of the State would endeavor to keep 
 up Its schools, the teachers would answer for it, that before this war 
 Js concluded, unless it come to a speedy termination, the South will bo 
 writing and printing her own books, and to North-Cnroliiia will be- 
 long the honor of taking the lead in this glorious work 
 
11 ADDRESS. 
 
 What a field of future promise is here opened up to our contempla- 
 tion 1 A\ho cannot see at a glance that one step now iu ilie richt di- 
 rection, will, l.j the blessing of Providence, inevitably load to the most 
 brilliant future I'vi a State, wIkpsc name in the past, has excited unjust 
 taunts that liavu often and keenly stung the .'••nl.-j ..f.ill Ii.m- true and 
 generous" sons. ■ ' . 
 
 There is a tide now before us, whicli, taken at the 11 lod. will lead us 
 on- to fortune; and l.j this, and ihe^ considerations before suggested, 
 We Would nid^t earnestly appeal 16 yon to make a sacred and ."^uleiun 
 resolulioii to jM-cscrve and maintain at all hazards those domestic 
 springs ou which ^o mucli of the life of the proscnL and future de- 
 pends. 
 
 Wo knor.- idafc the i)0cuiiiary resources of the community arc great- 
 ly, dimiiyif^hed ]>y the exigencies of the times; but we know, also, that 
 by the mercy of G'^d, we are Free from want, and that the hardships 
 of the times are always diminished by the generous confidence of the 
 people in Llieii- own' resources, by keeping those dependent on useful 
 occupations from being thrown out of employment, and by a firm and 
 heroic faith in the ultimate success tjf ouk cause. 
 
 Confidence is public weahh, and all thac tends to impair this leads 
 directly to pecuniary .li.^asicr. 
 
 The destruelion of our religious, benevolent and educational inter- 
 ests would be a terrible blow to public and private CKedit. Society 
 would be greatly disorganized,, and a reign of selfishness, mistrust and 
 despondency begin, from which ijiay we be forever delivered. G.'he 
 dreadful exigencies of some of our sister States, now covered by the 
 hordes of the uiali.2:naHt invader, ]u:iy com4:)el aciion which is no pre-, 
 cedent for those situated as. we are; and we rejoice to believe from the 
 enlighfencd, firm and honorable action of our authorities since the 
 war began, and I'rom what we know of the sentiments of our fellow- 
 citizens of all classes, that the views of this address will be justly ap^ 
 prcciated by the people of North Carolina. 
 
 The public i'liiids devoted to educational purposes would be barely 
 sufficient to keep two regiments in the field for a single year; as they 
 are now used tl;ey arc providing, fortifying, and drilling in the heart 
 of society, an encampmcut of one hundred and fifty thousand souls 
 for the honor and prosperity of the State. 
 
 We cannot expect individuals to contribute as in times vi' peace; 
 and all that we now look ior is that our most hopeful educational Sys- 
 tem be kept aliv.c, and in a healthy condition. 
 
 On its Hie depends the existence of a home literature, and of agreat 
 number of useful enterprises now needed, and always important to the 
 
ADDRESS. 15 
 
 independence. of a civilized people; and with a firm conviction of the 
 truth of thesc-views, and of our duty to lay them before vou, we res- 
 pectfully commend them to your earnest consideration. 
 
 C. H. WILEY, Sup. Common Schools. 
 
 F. M. HURllAED, University of N. - 
 
 W. M. WINGATE, Wake Forest Collec^e. 
 
 B. CRAVEX, Trinity College. 
 
 V. C. BAPviaNCrEE, Davidson College. 
 
 T>. H. BITTLE, x\. C. Collcire. 
 
 K. I)i:SCHWEINITZ, Salem Female Academy, 
 
 L. F. SILEE, Macon County. 
 
 T. M. JONES, Greensboro Fem. Colleo-e. 
 
 A. 3Ir DOWELL, Chowan Bq.. Fem. Sem. 
 
 A. WILSON, IMclviUe Classical School. 
 
 DANIEL JOnXSON, Floral Colle-e. 
 
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