Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-04-26

Mr.. Titles friend and coadiutor A
LOCKER On, in the Register Of las, week aims
what he intends TO be a crushing blow at the
Free School system, aud ayors a return 10 the
DARK ages Of ignorance aud superstition Of
which be is fair specimer. That such az ar
ticle should be published and virtually en-
dlrsed by a respectable jonrual is a reproach
20 its patrons-a disgrace to its editor. We
append a part Of paragraph:
90 so nan can fai! 20 notice The growing disin-
Diination OF our Young men o. learn mechanical
trades OF 90 work on farms. One-horse preachers,
onc-horse doctors aud one horsc or one ass teach O.
crs. are az thick as b'ackbcrries in July but
fail O. find any man under thirty years OF age with
horny hand OF a suuburned ace unless be has
spent dav fishing ard has bad bis skin sunbrown-
ed by the unwontcd exposure. To IS plain that u'!
oi our Young men can not earn living at the
learned profession. and that. even if they could
make money, somebody must cultivate something
Tor them o. eats and that their shoes and orceches
must be made, aud perhaps patched The ruth
o.. friend little that in educating toe tag aud
bob Tail az the public expense, YOU are hing their
heads With notions thai viii tend Oh your uWl ruin
and theirs. and that you are exciting hopes that
Cannot be realized 10 one case in a thousand !;
and that 90 spending your money Oh elevate the
masses. US che clat phrase goes, sou are sowing
the wind O. reap a whiriwind OF communism, as Is
thc case in Germany at present"
We do not consider him worthy more
O. an o passing notice-h.s arguments if they
can be called SUCH are tiimsy and transparent.
We simply assure him that iu or community
can be found many young men who have sur
vived a thorough free-school course aud are
CONTEXT to work iateHgnly. having already
earned horny hands and sunburned skins
at honorable labor. The slurs which the ar
ticle 10 question c,s;s on those having the ap-
pointmeut Of teachers and those who seek ap-
pointmeut, VIC leave the commissioners, trus-
tees. superintendent, and teachers 90 reply to-
convinced that they are honorable members Of
The community aud will not rest under any
such impuaiious, aad If we mistake not, The
said " LOCKER o. viii 6ni. ere long, that be
has stirred up hornets uost-the ,tiuss Of
whose occupants will soon cause him to cry
" enough
II Locker On expects % convince the
people Of this ciyi lied and enlightened nation
and age that free schools are ruinous to the
masses. teadins % demoralizaiioa. socialism,
communism and he IKE. De viii 6ad himself
vastly mistaken. Every man and woman Of
average iute,Hseuce-yes every child Of ten
can appreciate the advantage of plain prac-
tical education and tie contrast between The
mechanic who compartments tbe science Of the
trade al which be has worked until bis hand
10 horny and his skin sunburncd. and he who
numbers away 10 Ignorance of The Philosopli-
cal principles which tighten bis labor. aud ada
grace and beauty 90 bis work when completed.
IS apparen, 90 any observer. Who would
want a carpenter unable Co calculate % a NICE
~ the proportions Of The building he is about
TO erect2 Would De not expect it 90 be lop-
sided. tumble-d9wn aiair. worthy, Indeed, of
the workman who designed i,. but altogether
uuft for use Just the same rule applies %
OH other trales--ile educated. intelligent WORK
man. who compreheudS the science Of bis work
aud knows how o. put 10 90 practical use. Is
the one who will be sought after, au1 % " hose
superior skin viii De entrusted che mos, par
t.cu'ar and expensive pieces Of work There
are many such now ia ours and every comuu-
nifty. aud as ,he system Of free schools. by the
able management Of legislators. superinieud-
eois aud teachers. improves each year so does
che number o. these educated mechanics null
nFy
Il Is not necessary to try 20 convince an ig-
usapt blocshea3 Of the advantages Of popular
education. No doubt books we're always a
busbear 10 him. aud Of course, an logic would
30 thrown away on bin. though men. and even
children Of ordinary Intelligence can readily
comprehend aud appreciate the benefits they
confer Doubtless, when that teu-fcld reign
o. terror. which be SO complacent,y and cous-
dent,y predicts. shall ensue. " Locker On win
be che frss 20 Con the rel cap and iuaugura,s
she war cry Down With The educated, re-
fined, intelligent Of whatever class; Hurrah
Gr tbe ignorant, besouel superstitious
O'l aud young rich and poor. an uai;e ID
testify.ng O. tie true mer.to Of Dr. BniEs Cough
&