The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-23

vision betWiXt Hampton and the University
The latter institution was the glory Of the
State-one which she has literally fostered,
and which has yielded generous returns
one which she ought still more literally to
encourage, and from which she Will derive
yet more bounteous returns, But the UNI
versity is not self-sustaining she must de-
pend in large measure for supply OF we'll
prepared students on the colleges of this
and other States and woe to herif, Saturn
like, she devours her own children. .,h
But again: The appropriation to the
Hampton school conceded by the advo-
Gates of the University is utterly inde-
fensible, on the ground assumed by them,
in pressing their own claims. The pleas
urged for the two are diam etrtcally Gntago,
nistic. All the objections'to denominational
colleges, as not under State control, apply
with tenfold force to Hampton. All the
arguments for concentration, as the law OF
hishest 5cientific development, are against
this division. Only necessity which knows
no law could have invented the PROPOSE
ton.
But further: The proposed division Is
not equal. That portion given to the
colored people is theirs in perpetuity,
while what is reserved for the whites IS lett
subject to all the mutations Of political par
ties. The distinguished rector of the Uni
University overlooked some facts when he
stated that hecoDeges follow the fortunes
Of the universities; for though the State
institutions in Alabama, South and North
Carolina, are practically closed, Howard
College, Charleston College, Furman Uni
,versity,, Davidson and Wake Forest Col
leges, are full and flonrishing.
A second proposition is to distribute the
fund equally among all. 1t would be help
to each-none have cornucopia; none can
,despise S20,000. But where would the divl-
sion stop? One advocate Of this plan
enumerated nine institutions, but already
three more Richmond DIS are in the field. This
distribution clearly would not accomplish
the purposes of the grant, would not dis
charge the trust confided to the Leglsla-
ture.
The third plan, and one which the speaker
intended briefly to support, is TO divide the
fund into three equal portions-one to be
given to the Hampton school. One-third
was about fair proportion, if divided ac-
cording to population. This was all they
had ever claimed, with this they would
be fully satisfied. This would be de-
voted In .perpetuity to the promotion OF
agriculture and such mechanic arts as are
there taught among the industrial classes,
of the colored citizens. Let another third
be given to some college for whites, to be
devoted to an agricultural school-not o
school to train engineers, contractors, and
professors, but practical farmers and their
sons. OF the iramense value Of science In
agriculture, he presented striking instance
in the restoration of silk production In
France, which had Gallen in 1853 to one
third of what it had been a few years pre-
vious.
The remaining third of the fund he
claimed for the mechanic arts. These are
no less important and no less profitable.
In the keen competition among the trades
he who can most successfully avail himself
Of the help of science will always come out
uppermost in the struggle. Youtns OF tne
artisan class would be immensely benefited
by attending mechanical school, and Older
Workmen might well attend at night expe'
riments and explanatory lectures. For thii
purpose Richmond, as the centre OF popu
lation, accessibility, and influence; the
location of factories and foundrles the
home of large proportion of the mechan
les of the State, has peerless advantages,
Richmond College, which the speake'
represented, would be q worthy recipien
of this portion at least Of the fund. Sh'
maintained high standard of scholarship
had displayed great, vitality; had raiset
within the State during the last fVt
years more endowment than any othe
college; had during the last session
more Virginia students than any othe
institution in the State except only tn,
University. She is competent to admin
lister the fund faithfully for the bene
fit Of the mechanics of Richmond and Q
the whole State. Though denominations
she is in no sense sectarian, but was founded
in. the. prayers and sacrifices of those peopl,
who were most efficient co.workers will
Jefferson, w ashiug gton, Henry, and Madi
son, In ablishipg for us all, freedom o
conscience and full religious liberty.
The committee then rose to meet asail
on the 9th of January next. Z, 80 ..7,s