The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-19
COLUMBIA, s. G.
Saturday, Morning June le. 1859.
Etaucntlon 3 al tho s,,,,th.

fairs, different system must be main
tanned in the instruction of our youth
than was held in our old and prosperous
days, A classical education aud tho
rough collegiate course, is now such On
expensive, luxury as TO- bo beyond the
means of most of, Southern parents
The merits of money are much more ap-
parent when there is but little inB the
purse; aud the age is SO intensely utili-
tarian and practical, that one must calcu-
late closely, and shape the purchase that
the most useful article may be the fruit
OF expenditure. a.. B.. -
The purpose Of this article is not to
depreciate classical system Of educa-
tion, for its advantages and merits are SO
positive that no one, with justice, could
decry it; but we submit our necessities
demand more practical course of train
, ing in our youth. We want in trade and
commerce ready-made business men
snch as the commercial colleges propose
to turn out-men familiar with be ok
keeping; ready and compctent't to control
the mysteries of journal and ledger; who
are practical accountants; to whom the
merchant can safely intrust the books of
his establishment. We want mechanics
and artisans; men who have acquitted
their. knowledge of their trade by me-
thodical training from boyhood. Handi-
craft can always make living, and
sometimes under circumstances where
head work would starve. It does not
necessarily follow that being trades
man is an insuperable bar to fame or
fortune. The history of our country
presents thousands of contradictory ex-
amples. The great country of Prussia
was SO impressed with the importance of
her citizens possessing the means of q
manual livelihood, that every male, from
the crown prince down, in her domain,
was required and forced to serve the al
lotted term in acquiring trade. Under
this law, the prince became an e rt
printer. If prejudices exist against J
walk in life, surely they should be abr
doned. It is both honorable and credit
able; and certainly, if necessary, abun-
dant antecedents might be quoted in
support of its respectability and utility.
If the end could be attained to which
these remarks tend, it would realize the
filling of every position by white men,
to which they are entitled by superior
intelligence and education over the ne
gro-who, viewed as race, is untitled
for any other position than that of la-
borer aud toiler in the field.
The printers convention in Albany,
the reported meetings, and resolutions
passed by the various societies of me-
chanics throughout the Union, all take
into consideration the exclusion of the
negro from competition with their mem
bers. Let the negro go back to his legi-
timate province. Let him till the soil,
and earn his bread in sphere for which
he is SO peculiarly fitted. If we fill up
every branch of mechanical life with
white men, the deduction is fair that the
business relating to their occupation will
flow into their hands, and that the negro
"AAA ~ SN'H pSi'SN, w tiiC dCCCSolty, W
recede from competition, and seek those
congenial fields where he can only obtain
certain and assured support. As the
clover throughout our State is gradually
uprooting and destroying the grasses so
hurtful to the farmer, 50 will this pre-
ponderance of the white man remand the
negro to his proper place. We publish
these reflections under spirit of strong
conviction. We submit them as opinions
rather than facts; and we honestly be-
Heve this result, which it is trusted will
be approved Of by the Southern people,
can be most easily attained by the change
suggested in our system Of education.
TAX ON BROKERS. Rs.-Commissioner De-
lano on Saturday made his decision upon
the question submitted to him few days