The manner of investigation of the Committee of Ten took a somewhat
different turn from what was anticipated when the original report which
led to the undertaking was made, but no one now doubts the wisdom of
the plan finally adopted. It would be difficult to find groups of men
in America better fitted than the members of the conferences appointed
by the Committee to discuss the specific subjects assigned them; and
their recommendations as to choice of matter for secondary schools,
the time element, place of studies in the curriculum, and the best
methods constitute a most valuable contribution to the educational
literature of the period. In the main, they represent the best thought
of practical educators.
We shall not enter into a discussion of the details of these conference
reports; each report and, in many instances, each section of a
report is in itself a large theme. The summary of results and the
recommendations of the Committee of Ten will occupy the time allotted.
It was expected that the report as a whole would excite much discussion
and invite extensive criticism; and if no other result is attained than
the sharpening of wits in controversy, the existence of the report has
sufficient warrant.
It is impossible to say of any opinions that they are final, and of any
methods that they are the best. Some hold that the eternal verities
are to be discovered in the consciousness of the few geniuses, and
that obtaining a consensus of opinion is not the way to reach wise
conclusions. If we are Hegelian in our philosophy of history, we shall
hold to the law of development, shall believe that each stage of
thought is a necessary one, that the best light is obtained by the
historic method, and that the highest evolution of thought is to be
found in the belief and practice of the advanced representatives of any
line of investigation. The work of the conferences was to correlate
the parts of each subject by the method of applying reason to history;
it was the work of the committee proper to correlate these results by
the same method. Whether the committee was large and varied enough to
represent all sides is to be decided by the discussions of those best
fitted to form opinions.
* * * * *
After a careful review of the work of our committee, I venture to make
a formal list of opinions presented, most of which, I think, should be
heartily indorsed, reserving till later the discussion of a few of them: