The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-10
b THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
SCRIP.

The uOnAtl0u Oi lduu eOttP ~ NNh7
gress to the States for Agricultural aud
Mechanical colleges, has everywhere pro-
voked O contest between the various edu-
cational institutions for its control.
Everywhere the widest difference OF opin-
ion seems to exist as to the precise mode
of organizing such school as is con-
templated by the terms of the grant,
some claiming that a simple polytechnic
school will meet the case others that
model farm is needed
Without discussing details, we are pre-
pared emphatically to state our conviction
that this fund should not be placed under
the control of any one of the existing in
stitutions of learning. As rule, there is
among these institutions no clear percep-
ton Of the special work that needs to be
done. in the educational field, to fit men for
the business Of farming. 1t has been gen.
orally assumed that anybody would do for
a farmer Farming, as an art, cleaning
the whole field of physical science for its
knowledge, has no general recognition
So with mechanical industry. The trades
have been doomed to empiricism. The pro-
fessors have kidnapped the sciences from
the mass of mankind by their exclusive
ness and technicalities. Labor grim, and
sooty, like Tubal Cain at his forge, feels
the wrong, and gropes like a blind giant
for relief. Sturdily, with rude words it
may be, yet with an emphasis that will
make itself heard, it demands share in
the common heritage of knowledge.
This great interest Of Agriculture, which
gives SO much and receives so little, which
has been put out of the pale of gentility
and turned over to mediocrity whose
serene face has been cuffed for centuries
by professional conceit; this primitive
child of labor, whose brawny shoulders
bear up the burden of civilization this,
too, is calling for its share in the worlds
enlightenment.
We assert that its claim is just. That
even farmers have rights which The pro-
fessors are bound to respect, and we say
to them when they reach out to seize this
fund, GLANDS off"
Let us suppose grant made to establish
schools where doctors, lawyers, and divines
were to be trained for their professions.
Suppose, farther, that the farmers and
mechanics of Virginia had established nu-
merous schools of special discipline for
themselves. What would be thought of
proposition to tack theological seminary
upon model farm, or law and medical
school upon Mechanics Institute We
cannot deny that such an arrangement
would greatly improve the professions in
mental and physical vigor; but how would
this incongruous arrangement strike the
professions and the general public
Just imagine the whole body of the far
mers and mechanics, already 10 possession
of the best schools, rushing to seize and
divide between them the work of training
lawyers, doctors and clergymen We
think there would be discharge of pills
equal to Captain Bragg's grape, and a
cannonade Of Biblical exegesis, Latin,
Greek and Hebrew, mingled with es-
says on constitutional rights that would
drive back the intruders to their farms, and
work shops discounted, and lead them
precipitately to resign the education OF
their voluble and unpromising pupils.
If it be claimed that there is in all edu-
cation common preliminary discipline,
we grant it. And for this, there are schools
established all over the land already, not
as numerous as they should be, to be sure,
but still so that any vigorous, aspiring
youth can get an education if he will
But the scope of this grant is clearly linn
tied to specialites Of training. Whatever
of science relates to mechanical industry or
farming should be so taught that its appli-
cations to the daily occupations of men.
shall be made clear. Those of us familiar
with the curriculum of studies in the
schools of Virginia, or even in the ordinary
colleges of the North, know how superficial
and general is the instruction there given
in applied science; and this, not because
the professors are incompetent or unfaith-
full. but because they do not undertake to
teach specalites Of science or art.
Now, what we want of this fund is to
found school where the object shall be,
not general discipline Of mind, but thor
ough training for special pursuits. This
is our mite of the vast provision for edu-
cation.
Justice and common sense alike suggest
that the farmers and mechanics should be
consulted upon this matter. Let a COM
mission of this class be appointed, with
ample time to mature plan, and either
put it in operation at once, or submit it to
the Legislature at subsequent meeting.
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The Railroad War. r.
TESTIMONY OF FRANKLIN sTEARNs.