New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-30
For the Republican,
MINISTERIAL SCHOOLS IN THE
SOUTH.

WHY do we not have schools in the Soutl
which will afford, at a small cost to parents
an opportunity for the youth OF the land Il
acquire not only sound English education
but at the same time a trade or profes
sion
Surely, in no time or country, were sncl
institutions more needed than in this cOun
try at the present time. Thousands o
youths are growing up in painful Ignorance
alike of literature and such knowledge as ii
necessary to their maintenance in life. Tit
inevitable result being a life of vice, ending
in still more deplorable death.
Can we, as a nation, afford this! Daily
aud hourly ships land cargo after cargo Of
foreigners on our shores, who quietly silE
into situations as mechanics, field labOrers
and artisans, that should be filed by ouI
own young men; but which they, not being
skilled in the several crafts, are totally
unable to fill
Consequently the foreigner grows rich; is
able to educate his children; with wealth
and intellect they gain an entrance into
society, buy lands, become the ruling powers
of the country to the exclusion of the
children of native born Americans, who,
through ignorance, sink to the lowest
depth in the social scale.
But l can not afford to educate my
children" How often and alas with how
much truth, we hear the remark
There must be a remedy devised, and
this remedy, believe, we may find in in
etiustrial schools.
Let the lands be contributed by those
Uho Favor the project also the money and
stock, who, by thus contributing, become
the stockholders of the concern. certain
number of these stockholders may become,
by election, the trustees; let these engage
the faculty and foremen, and become re-
spon sible for the school. For faculty we
would have a professor of English, one of
mathematics, one of chemistry and who
would also be practical druggist Then
we would have departments controlled by
competent foremen, where the students
might learn, not theoretically but practi-
4rally, agriculture, horticulture, Horticulture,
cabinet work, house and sign painting,
Alacksmithing, etc.
They should be required to study so
many hours, work so many, and be allowed,
also, sufficient time for recreations, for
let us not forget
-'AIl work and no play makes Jack dull boy"
BY making their services in these several
departments pay something toward their
support, and, may be, their tuition, they
will be enabled to gain an education, or the
basis of one, at the cost of a small amount
of money, and be at the same time prepar-
ing themselves to step into the arena of life
fully competent to gain their own liveli-
hood, and relieve from the burden backs
which, perchance, have grown too weak to
bear it.
Each student should have two suits, of
coarse material, for working purposes, one
rather better for extra occasions, and let
us suggest that the latter be uniform.
Allow no student in the school who does
mot enter some one of the industrial de-
partments, for the introduction of young
gentlemen of leisure" must inevitably Gre
ate dissatisfaction, envy and strife.
Besides working the allotted time in the
departs ent of his special trade every boy
should be made to work an hour each day
IN a kitchen garden, which would furnish
their table with vegetables, and teach them
practical gardening, the knowledge of
which, if not actually essential to all men,
rs very apt to become useful at some period
of their lives.
And not alone might this principle be ap-
piled to the good of the boys of the land,
but with equal propriety to the girls
In many instances, where there are large
families of girls, the father is able only by
the most strenuous exertion to feed and
half clothe them; he does not even dream of
educating them. And yet many of them are
quick and eager to learn, and had they an
opportunity would soon become capable OF
taking care OF themselves in an honorable
manner. But through ignorance are they
obliged to lead an aimless and unhappy
life at home where they feel themselves to
r6e q burden, or sink into mental position
elsewhere An industrial school might be
founded for them where they could learn
5niantua- making, millinery, the control and
: use of the various styles of sewing machines,
. cooking stoves, etc.; also, bookkeeping,
photograph coloring and all the lighter en-
PLACEMENTS suited to the sphere and capacity
of Eoman.
merely suggest the idea of the schools
hoping most earnestly that the germ may
develop fruit; that some benevolent, ener-
getic man may develop and elaborate the
plan, place it on practical basis, and thus
take step toward reclaiming the youth OF
the South from the slough of vice and crime
toward which their steps are fast tending.
Il.