The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-06-09

for music? OF course, with such schol-
ars the end Of school days is the end OF
piano drumming. But even of those who
have decided talents for music, and who
at school seem to have mastered the sci
ence, how many of them utilize their ac-
complishment beyond making them
selves agreeable and entertaining until
they are manageable? That I may not
be accused of Judging too critically, look
over the catalogues of our Southern fe-
male seminaries and see how frequently
the musical department is III the hands
Of Professor So.and-So. with long name
either from Germany or France or some
other foreign country, and not under
the control Of graduates Of the institu-
ton.
So with drawing, painting, wax work,
making artificial flowers. These arts are
frequently taught in our seminaries, but
where will you find young lady in the
State or the South who has made pro-
fession of either Of them? would have
the young lady, who had peculiar talent
for any of these arts, study 1t, master it,
and ply it as her vocation in after life.
Who can point me to Southern female
artist Of any celebrity either as painter,
musician or sculptor? And yet the hand
somest marble monuments in ou1 nation.
al capital have been chiseled by the fair
hand Of woman.
In 1874 I was so circumstanced that
could give employment to half dozen
or more young ladies in making artificial
flowers. wrote to friends in almost
every Southern city, enquiring whether
this demand could be supplied there. I
failed to secure a single one in all the
South, but had no difficulty in engaging
them at the North.
Now, + must not be understood as ad-
vocating the policy of woman's receiving
higher education simply that she may
become q professional character. Not at
all. But do believe. in encouraging
every one to utilize the talents with
which they are endowed. And to this
end consider it the duty of parents to
educate their daughters Us thoroughly as
their sons, and wherever any peculiar or
be fostered, encouraged and disciplined
to its utmost capacity. Not otherwise
can success in any vocation be attained
nowadays. We live in mechanical,
inventive, progressive age, and every
where and at all times skill is recognized
and encouraged. When we remember
that but few years ago our land was
desolated by the horrors of civil war,
from which we have but partially recu-
perated, and when the prosperity of to-
day is rendered doubtful by the evidenc-
es Of poverty we see so abundantly man
ifested in every quarter. it behooves the
parents of the rising generation through
out the South to inculcate upon their
children the necessity of acquiring o
general education, not for ornamental
but for practical purposes. For when
these youths leave the precincts of the
school or college, and enter upon the
arena of manhood or womanhood, they
will find the world but restless, seeth-
ing, social whirlpool, where self is the
motive power, where disinterestednes
is n virtue of exotic growth, but where
education is the controlling element in
the competitive contests Of life.
General education prepares the mind
to secure success in every occupation, and
makes men. Special education commands
success in every enterprise in which the
recipient is called to act. The educated
man, therefore, who bends his energies
to the accomplishment of single deed,
or plies all the force Of his trained intel
lect to the development of a single idea,
will far outstrip the man who, without
training, without requirements, relies
for the attainment of the same end upon
the innate powers of natural genius.
And never was their a country in which,
nor people among whom, this educated
individuality was more necessary than
right here among us of the South, where
the decentralization of war had segre-
gated the purposes and broken the ties of
q once united and happy people. But,
Mr.. President, I may be anticipating
those whom I have been invited to adj
dress. for they may reply, we do not pro-
pose engaging Immediately in the battle
of life, but intend to retire to the happy
homes of our indulgent parents, there to
enjoy ourselves and await events. Bliss
fuf innocence! Would that your fond
est hopes could be realized.
A satisfactory present may suffice for
women: they may not entertain ambi-
tious thoughts, and hence may scout the
imaginary discouragements of the future.
Not 30 with men. The humblest boy
may perhaps be as ambitious as Alexan-
der, who, when youth, was asked II he
intended entering the contest in the
Olympic games, and promptly replied !:
Yes, even though contend against
Kings" Laudable and successful ambi-
ton has converted boot-black of forty
years ago into United States Senator OF
to-day. And the same incentive has
given him colleague who twenty-five
years ago was brakeman on railroad
train. And he who now fills the highest
office in Christendom was within the re-
collection of many Of us canal boat
driver. Hence no insurmountable OBJ
stacle lies across the pathway of ambi-
tious youth, and that instinct which
actuates him to fill lofty places among
men is o praiseworthy incentive, that
should porvade the mind and heart of
every boy.
But shall these aspirations be confined
to the sterner sex? Is there no worldly
goal to which woman should aspire?
Erudite women of every civilized nation
have commanded the admiration Of the
world. Need only mention Hannah
Moore, Madam DeStael or George Ell
liott?
The aphorism is accorded to Aristotle,
that ''in every block of marble there is a
statue: it only needs tho chisel Of the
sculptor to fashion it, What sculpture
is to to the marble, education is to the
mind. Who then can tell US how many
intellectual statues of great beauty lie
forever concealed within the recesses of
the unsculptured minds of our country?
Hence the importance, my young friends,
of your striving to perfect your educa.
tion; and in doing SO cultivate virtuous
and lofty aspirations. There is always a
possibility Of success for those who de-
serve it, and ambition tempered by the
intuitive nobleness of woman is not q
dangerous, but one Of the most admirable
attributes of man. Properly restrained
it has developed great and good men,
and stimulated them to the performance
of labors Of surprising grandeur. 1t
will do no less for woman, when con-
trolled by her fortitude and amcliorated
by her patience. Let then your aspira-
tions be lofty. and your ambition yirtu-
Gus and ennobling. But, Mr.. President,
in the acquisition of knowledge, pedantry
should at all times be avoided. There is
nothing attractive in blue stocking.
That is contracted intellect, which is
constantly parading its requirements.
Those who by reading and study have
stored their minds with fund OF infor
nation, which they can only utilize by