New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-23

Hofwyl, where he established agricultural
and scientific schools, equally open to the
rich and The poor, his aim being to make
agriculture not only the basis of his in
struction, but also by elevating that
profession to the dignity Of a science.
His success was complete and re-
markable, and by his schools and
writings on the subjects of agriculture and
education, his influence has been extern
sively felt throughout Europe and the
United States. Similar institutions have
been in successful operation in this coun-
try for the last thirty-fve years; and we
are of opinion that now is the time when,
and Louisiana the place, where, such an in
stitution should be Immediately established.
The main reason why manual labor
schools" have proved failure in many of
the States where they have been estab-
lished is, that far too much has been ex-
pected of them. The pupil enters with the
idea that his labor will be sufficient
to provide for his board and tuition,
and not realizing his anticipations,
is obliged to retire in disappoint-
ment. Many enter at too youth
full an age, and are unable to perform the
necessarily arduous duties imposed upon
them. Experience proves that such schools
succeed best in the vicinity of large towns
or cities, where the product of the farm
and garden can be quickly and easily trans
ported to market. To this fact may be
attributed the long and continued prosper
ity Of the Oneida Institute. near the city of
Utica, New York, founded in 1880. A
manual labor school, upon the principles
of the last named institution, in the vicinity
of New Orleans, say on the Metairie
ridge, above or below the city, or
across the river, could not fail
to be remunerative to the originators,
and of inestimable value to the pupils
who should attend it. Such an enterprise
could not be undertaken without capital to
begin with, and would be more apt to sue
coed under the auspices of some association
or religious denomination. There is
mission school at or near Vicksburg, some
what after the style mentioned, under the
of Rev. W. Il. Buchanan,
a Presbyterian clergyman, and full corps
Of competent teachers, with several han
dred pupils, in fell tide of success. The
religious and educational advantages thus
afforded to the colored race of Vicksburg
and the surrounding country are of the
highest order, and not among the least Of
he blessings of this enterprise is the ex-
ample which it furnishes TO all other Chris
ian denominations, as well as to all pa
riotic and philanthropic people through
nut the country, Who will become the
pioneer Of such a glorious enterprise which
must inevitably be crowned with success,
accompanied with the least zeal or
An act was passed by Congress in 1862
donating public lands to the several States
md Territories, which may provide col
eyes for the benefit Of agriculture and the
Mechanic arts. The amount thus granted |
o each State was quantity equal to thirty
thousand acres for each Senator and Repre-
entative in Congress, which would give to
he State Of Louisiana, by compliance with
he provisions Of the act, two hundred and
en- thousand acres. Mr.. Cornell, an en-
erprising citizen of Ithaca, has taken the
inc hundred and ninety thousand acres of
and granted by Congress to the State of
JewYork, and has already erected and dedi-
ated a magnificent university for the pur-
oses indicated by Congress. He gave
We hundred thousand dollars, farm, IL
raries and,museums for the object, and
evoted all his sagacity, experience, bust
ess skill and enthusiasm to making the
srgest profit on his purchase, and all for
be benefit of the University! Already its
ooks and apparatus are worthy of the
est schools; and the last experiment in
cience Of London or Paris may be verified
t Ithaca. Is there no Cornell in the South
D set in motion here a similar enterprise