The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-06


military tactics.
The special, leading intention, was that
instruction in all that relates to agriculture
and mechanics should have prominence and
studies being permitted
as incidental. Universities and colleges,
devoted to purely scientific and literary
education, were, established and fiourishing
in every settled State. Their object-and
noble object-to qualify pupils for
professional life, as lawyers, doctors, min
listers of religion, or as politicians and
scientists. These institutions were admira-
bly, adapted to their legitimate purpose,
but were not desirable, even if accessible,
for the education of the sons of the great
and growing middle class of farmers and
mechanics.
Apart from the cost Of defraying the
heavy college dues and personal expenses
of his sons, at one Of these universities or
colleges, the farmer or mechanic feared,
and with good reason, that the tastes of the
son he looked to as his help and successor,
might be diverted from the less attractive,
if more substantial pursuit which it was
designed he should follow, to the bril-
liant, but too often delusive career of
orator or politician. "College-brcd" was
looked upon as essentially resulting in
distaste for labor; hence, parents who de-
pended upon labor for success themselves,
feared their sons should look away from,
or down upon it.
Yet analytical science is now necessary
adjunct to agriculture, as mathematical
science is necessary to the skilled, and es-
pecially to the inventive mechanic; and to
supply the recognized need of an institution
where labor and science can go hand in
hand, was the purpose of this appropriation
of public lands that farmers and mechan.
les, who created The national aoealt,
should have some equality of opportunity
with those who simply administered tina
aoeolM.
The appropriation being clearly for thu
benefit of those engaged in agriculture ant
the mechanic acts, the immediate represen
tatives of those interests should certainly
have voice, if not entire direction, in thu
disposition of it; and no time will be NOR,
proper and opportune for the full discus
sion Of the subject, than when our agricul
turists meet our mechanics during the Fai
week.
In every State the established universe
ties have made plausible argument, ant
used persistent effort, to control the fund
They say with show of propriety, 9Th
fund cannot be used for erection of build
ings, and it is too small to found new in
stitution of magnitude sufficient for useful
ness. We have our buildings ready, GU
lecture-roons and apparatus are at the ser
vice of agricultural students and in add
ton they can avail themselves of our strict
ly literary or scientific advantages"
This may be all true, but the purpose o
the fund was different, and we suggest tina
the legitimate object be kept in view-th
fund used as nucleus to attract donation
by philosophical, wealthy men, until
has reached sufficient magnitude to found
college devoted to agriculture and mechar
les, separately, or combined; which may b
not only fountain-head of prosperity, b
wedding labor to science, but public OF
namcnt and an attraction.
As Deucalion is said in fable to hav
sown dragons teeth, which sprang u
armed men from mother earth, fror
her bosom, must spring the power whic
shall confront and destroy the demon {
poverty which stalks over Virginia. 1t
now an idle boast to say of her fields
"you may tickle them with the hoe, an
! they will laugh corn" Too often year
steady toll finds the farmer poorer on tt
! last, than he was on the first day. Labc
! alone will not succeed science must g
afield with her, and together they wi
bring home more profitable harvest.
/, A practical mode of proceeding in tn
matter, and not only practicable, but sin
pie and effective, is that special CONVEX
ton of agriculturalists and mechanics me-
during Fair week, and thoroughly discus
.ohm shall be done nth the find !; choose
strong commission from those assemblies
or who, though absent, are known farmer
friends, and authorize them to investigai
: The matter thoroughly and practically, AM
. as the result of their investigation, prepal
bill to be presented to the next Legisl
ture, and urge upon the people at large
: instruct their representatives to suppo
:. the bill. This commission would also
, charged with the task of canvassing for d
nations in aid of the College. These W
be forthcoming when it is once decided tn
!" the fund will be properly employed al
!, practically managed. Then we shall ha'
: College, and College which will full
4 its proper mission, and become a graz
!, success.
ETECTT0N TICKETS.