National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-02-19
Educated Mechanics.

We often hear OF the importance Of skilled
or intelligent and educated labor. 1t is upon
the principle that the quality of the labor
of a country is improved by the education
of the children and youth who form its
population that the taxation of real and
personal property for the support of free
schools is defended If the country is de-
pendent upon the quantity and character of
its labor for the amount and quality of its
productions, then its advancement in mate
rial wealth and its progress in mechanical
and manufacturing achievements can be
estimated largely by its educational advan-
tages The following extract from a letter
just received from correspondent affords
an interesting illustration of the ad-
vantages derived from liberal edu-
cation in the pursuit Of mechanical
employments. lie says: United
States ordnance officers are experimenting
at Sandy Hook with the big gun recently
cast for the Government at the South Bos-
ton Iron Foundry. The weights OF the gun
is iorty-fve tons, and in symmetry of pro-
portion and beauty of model it cannot be
excelled The finishing oil this gun was
done under the supervision of a workman
named STONE, Il graduate of Harvard Uni
versity, standing high in his class Soon
after he left college, Mr.. STONE sought en-
ploymcnt at the works of the South Boston
Iron Company, and no man among the
workmen employed in that establishment
has kept down to regulation hours closer
than he. He is at present one Of the most
skillful mechanics in his line, and, having
mastered so much, he now cOntemplatcs a
thorough course of scientific study. Mr..
STONE is only about twenty-scyen years OF
age, remarkably interesting in his manners
miuglimg his practical knowledge with his
refinement Of nature very gracefully. He
has studOusy observed all the regulations
Of the establishment and taken to the
toughest of the work rs if he liked it, and felt
honored by having it to do Away from his
work his superior education and talents are
at once and always observable"
The great point aS we conceive in the
foregoing extract is that Mr. STONES fine
collegiate education did not Undue him
| with the idea that mechanical labor would
dishonor and degrade him, but that it
would ennoble him by placing his name on
| the roll of skilled artisans who are the most
successful producers Of wealth. His idea is
the correct one. The education obtained ut
schools is only designed as the ground
work Of the grand structure to be developed
and completed by practical effort in after
m ia h.a ngn nf 10
plicatiOn to the practical duties Of life is to
be neglected? No character can be properly
unioldcd and beautified except by the utliza-
ton of its talents for the benefit of mankind.
Of what use is il for us to know all things
theoretically if we take no pains and make
no effort to practically illustrate that
knowledge for the benefit of others? What
do We say Of the inventor who pcrfects
vast labOr-stying or hcalth-preserving in
vcntion, and then hides it from the world /?
DO we not denOunce him Us selfish and
illibeal public enemy?
1t is of the first Importance that the chill
drcn and youth of the land should learn
that their education is designed to make
them more efficient as lNborcrs instead of
that mistaken notion, now so prevalent, that
IL good education is intended to fit person
| to live without work. We do not neccsSI-
rily mean by the words work" and labor
here actual manual labor, because there are
numerous useful avOcations that are labori-
Gus enough, and which are productive
Of great deal of human happiness, the sue
cessful prosecution Of which may depend
We meau any or all of those employments