The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-12-09
=HOYT & CO., Proprietors:
science and art and then launch them
hopefully and prayerfully upon the arena

II
of life. AS one of the most efficient
means to furnish weapons, would :sug
gest the establishment of agricultural col
5Ileges and schools in every Southern State
Tie most enlightened nations OF: Europe
4 are riow giving to these institutions not
only the utmost attention, but the foster,
ing care of their governments, and they
are reaping rich returns in the improve,
ment of their people as well as in the
great accession of wealth, to all classes. Ger.
many especially, who owes SO much to her
admirable system of education, has found
these schools of incalculable, benefit, and
many of the Northern and Western
States, profting by the example of the
older nations, have them now in successful
operation. We of the South have been
and are wofufly behind the age in this
particular; for, as far as / am aware, our
colleges, with two exceptions, offer no IA
Critics for the acquisition OF "a practical
agricultural or mechanical education. One
of these exceptions is found in most ad-
mirable college, under the superintendence
of Mr.. Bowman, most fitly located on,the
former farm of Kentucky's great states,
man, Henry Clay, No nobler monument
could be erected on Ashland to the geni-
us and patriotism of the illustrious man
who once owned it. The other honorable
exception is to be. found in Washington
College, Va, where the hero who has so
often led mighty army to victory, hay-
ing sheathed the sword never tarnishediby
cruelty or dishonor, now dedicates bis
name, his intellect, and the influence OF
spotless virtue to the noble task OF leading
our sons along the paths of learning, OF
honor, and of piety. The civic wreath
we'll becomes the brow so often crowned
with the oak and the laurel, and sons of
the men who once fought on the blood.
stained fields of Virginia, reaping at this
college the rich haryests of knowledge
sown by the patriotic foresight OF its Pres
ident. will learn to bless with additional
fervorth honored name of Lee. The ex-
ample set here is worthy ofimitation, and
if agricultural colleges cannot be founded
in all of the Southern States, 1t would be
we'll to engraft on the curriculum Of all
our existing institutions of learning de-
partment similar to that just organized at
Washington College. The most striking
feature of this wider system of instruction
which 1t is proposed to adopt there, and
which will, l trust, revolutionize our
modes of education, is that which con-
templates giving ''thorough instruction
in: lst. Agriculture. I'd. Commerce.
3d. Civil and Mechanical Engineering.
4th. Mining and Applied Chemistry"
Could such course OF instruction be gen.
erally adopted throughout the South, and
the facilities for obtaining it be placed
within the reach of our young men,. we
should find among those who are soon to
take our places men not only fully quail
fled to develop all the resources OF our
country. but competent to shape It's destl-
nv for! .ll honorable and noble ends. We;
should not need, then, to send abroad TOR
our artisans, our mechanics, our engineers,
our. #: manufacturers, or our merchants, and
ali the powerful agencies welded by these.
classes would :, be the offspring of the.
South, all tending to increase the power,
wealth and tie happiness OF our people;
This subject is worthy of the thoughtful
consideration of the ablest intellects OF
the South, and no talents, however great,
could be better employed among us, than
in giving impetus and direction to the
proper development of the resources of
our country, and practical education to our
people. 1t is significant fact, one that
shows how wide was the range of the
genius of Napoleon, that in the quarter
OF century beginning 1890, France, not
withs;anding the gigantic wars she was
waging, made greater progress in agrlI
culture than she had ever done before.
This result was due to the wisdom OF one
man, and though to none now living is
given the mighty power to do goeod, WELD;
ed by him, each one of US, in his allotted
sphere; can promote the prosperity OF his
country; on each does this solemn duty
devolve. Tn conjunction with these agri-
cultural colleges of which have just
spoken, and as valuable auxiliaries to them,
the agricultural societies occupy an I'M
portant position, and it is very desirable
that they should receive the warmest en-.
couragement. Not only do they tend to
rouse q laudable emulation among plan
ters, but they serve to give Instruction
to improve the breed of our domestic an
imals, and to bring before the public tan
gible and practical results of scientific
farming and mechanical ingenuity. They
serve for another purpose of no slight
consideration that of bringing together
the people from all parts of a State gath
ering as it were the scattered children OF
the household around the family altar
uniting all for the common good OF the
old homestead; settling all jarring inter
ests and sottening by the influence of
Lro+barlu lova oil discordont clements and
political asperities. Here all can end in
the welfare of their State sacred bond
Of brotherhood; bond stronger, higher,
nobler than any which party ties can forge
or political intrigues comprehend. The
pleasant intercourse among our people in
duced by these reunions is not confined