Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-05-13
TBCH.vIC.fL RDUC.FTEO.r.


1t is commonly supposed by Americans
that we are one of the best educated nations
in the world. This belief has grown with
our growth, and strengthened with our
strength, until it is almost II heresy to in
sinuate aught to the contrary. 1t will doubt
less startle some who road this, to he told
that, with the exception OF England, we are
the most Ignorant nation among all those
who nave any claim ~ the title OF being cd
ucated. Prussia, France, Holland, Switzer-
land, nay, even Italy and Austiia, are ln
advance oi us in the vital matter uf techni-
cal instruction ior the masses.
In the countries named, they have a more
or less complete system OF technical train
ing, the result ol which is, that those ma
lions are taking the lead in every thing that
tends to make them great and powerful.
The true explanation OI the wonderful
leap taken by Prussia, from the position of
second rate power, 10 that OF one oi thear-
bitors OF the late Vi Europe, lies in the iact
that every Individual vino assisted in the
work hau been taught thoroughly and prac-
ticalIy how TO do II IN the technical schools,
whicn are justly the hope and pride OF tnat
country.
We are, at least, generation behind those
nations IN every thing pertaining to the
proper training Ut our people, with the ex-
cepuon vi a very lew oi our professional
men, who get nearly ali they need in our
universities and colleges.
But oi this country 1t has been held hilh-
erto, that the only proper method OF acquIr-
ing technical knowledge Is by working IN
the shop, lIvlng i'll actual contact herewith.
1t has been the custom to sneer AT IneOreti-
cal men, ana to throw all the obstacles III
their way tnat ignorance ana malcvolence
could suggest Ine argument 10 CONSTANT
the instruction vi the schools, OF tnat they
Iearn lar more III the contingencies or the
machine snop than can he taught III school,
cUueBe or university.
1t is true that we nave no body Of teach
ers VINO are prepared 10 gIvc inc sort vi IN
structlon ncodeu by our children. We have
risen ~ proper appreciation oi the quail
ticilions and deserts OF such body, tnere-
lore, we nave them not. For inc proper
scIenunc training oI our ch1uren, We want
the best men III the county, and tney
should receive incomes AZ least as large as
our pupular preachers.
Mnen we reflect that the success of the
rising generation depenus entirely upon
THESE men, what miserable parsIIIOny to
stand upon the question vi expense III the
most important CONSIDERATION that underlIes
the future welfare OF the nation.
the teacher must know Inc science which
he protests TO teach, ana he must thorough
~ understand the practical application ot
tnat science 20 The profession OF .raue to be
followed by his pupils. mere snail such
teachers Do IUuLuT send abroad Tor them
II tney are not 10 De luunu al home. Yer
suaue eminent men, Dy me oiier oi puDnc
honOis ana pecunIafy rewards, To become
apprentices, ana stuuy That winch tney are
" teach. Only iii the workshop can thcy
learn ~ adapU thelr knowledge To the wah.s
Vi their pupils; OF, we might send puplis
abroad to be thoroughly Instructed III The
art }, teaching technical subjects, Oh the i'm
proved plans recently adopted III Europe.
The atc war cost us, say tour thousand
niiiiions oi uoIi"rsi low ~iiI deny mat
united people ana Tree government are
worth even greater sacrifice than this. L
make boldtO say that Il thorough system OF
technical education, such as they have in
switzerland or Wurtembug, lor example,
would he cheap at twice the sum mention
| ed, If it could not be had iOr less.
Fortunately, we do not need any such
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