The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-07-14

British people that their artigans in know
/ ledge and skill were not so superior as they
| had imagined. They are now convinced
| that the system Of education there, as prac-
ticed in their ancient universities, Is NOT
such as the vast achievements of physical
research require nor is II sllch as 10 e. en-
able that nation to keep her place In che
| race run for industrial skill and commercm'
wealth.
So within the last few years we have seen
| the Government of that enlightened people
encouraging the establishment OF technlcai
schools in all parts of the kingdom for the
better instruction of their artsans-meh,
women, and apprentices.
These schools are chiefly devoted to in
strlction in drawing, mechanics. ana cnelil-
istry. They are endowed partly by private
and partly by Parliamentary muninc enc,
and though SO recently commenced, there
had been established and put IN opera
ton ND to the autumn of last year
mo less than 103 of these institutions,
to the pupils of which last year
the Government awarded prizes anu
premiums to the value of 81, OD, 600. This
exclusive of scholarships, free admission
into other institutions, and preferment for
employment in certain establishments, pup
lie and private. 49,. c,,or,
The necessity which presses, then, ior ne"
features in the system Of education Is upon
us with great force. We must prepare our
vonth fnr \ greater diversity of occupation
! than has ever existed in the South. we
| must fit them for the many new industries
that the changes in our circumstances are
calling for. Our water-poWer mas 10 NC
studied ; our agriculture improved ana
our Young men made acquainted WIN III
| the scientific and practical details Id Inc VI
rious processes and more improved netii9us
Dracticed in the industries OF Inc nelu,
| forest. and sea- or connected with mining,
met,IJ1rpy. and manufactures, OF with the
aIts. This is necessity by no means pecll-
li,r to Virginia. 1t is common to all the
southern States. .,
It presses upon them with n force greater
than computation can estimate; anu no
change in our system Of education can an
swer the demands of this necessity short OF
q nolytechnic school whore all the !lie-
sciences are taught In the most complete
manner, and to which all who will, in any
southern State, may resort Tree OF charge,
and in which each one may, according to
his fancy, drink his Till at this or that tOun-
tain, and learn all that is known, including
the most recent discoveries concerning the
laws of nature and the property of matter.
A scientific school provided with libra
ries, museums, galleries, laboratories, and
obseryatories, where both students and
professors may conduct observations, per-
form experiments, and repeat processes, is
what is required in our southern system Of
education.
How the question Is probably passing
through the minds of gentlemen)is such an
institution to be endowed? for its revenues
must be princely. Remember the old
adage: "Where there's will there's Il
way"
Fellows of the Educational Association
of Virginia, the way is with you and those
who are charged with the education Of the
rising generation of the south.
How long before those who are now, and
in the course Of n few years will be, your
pupils will have in their hands the destinies
of the South Not many years.
According to my view, the difficulty Is
not in raising the money, but in getting. you
to act in concert and to take those prellml-
nary and necessary steps which are requl-
site to the undertaking.
Not less than 1000 young men have, am
told, left the schools of Virginia this year
to enter upon the hattie Of life in this and
other southern States. Now, the political
philosophers tell us that every educated
Young nan exercises, when he COOS out into
the world, an influence upon 1,0Oo persons.
With such a body of missionaries Ill such
cause, what may we not do?
Therefore, organize. Let your nlSh
schools act ex obicio as cooperative societies, ,
and your alumni as committeeman, each IN
his own part of the country, to enllgnten
and interest his people upon the subject.
Let this Association put itself into llnmedl-
ate correspondence with all the colleges,
academies. high schools, and institutions OF
learning in the other southern states with
the view of interesting them as co-laoorers
in the cause.
What will al endowment sufficient be
among so many States people: Two and
half per cent. upon 4 single years crop in
the South will suffice.
And do you, gentlemen, who are charged
with the education Of the youth OF the
South, moan to say that the money cannot
he raised that you cannot 80 train the boys
and girls of tho South; that with Their III
tiuonce and help as men and women at
home YOU cannot raise within the next de-
cade sum sufficient to endoW polytech-
mic school capable Of meeting all the wants
OF the South and of placing her sons where
they ought to be, side by side with tho
foremost men of the age? .......
TO do this rests with you, and with you
T laoya