The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-04-29
The Lesson of Labor.

revealed the fact. as stated by the warden,
that of thirteen hundred conyicts. only
thirteen of them bad been mechanics
This is suggestive and illustrates the con-
sentative, healthful and moral influence of
the training necessary for the successful
prosecution of mechanical pursuits. As
stated by the warden, "Of doctors, lawyers
and other professional men we get plenty,
but mechanics don't get here" 1t may
be safely affirmed that the most conserva-
tive, unobtrusive and useful element of
any community is composed of those who
are engaged in mechanical employment.
In the process of learning their ment tai
capacities are developed with uniformity
and their time cons umed in acquiring a
knowledge of a trade, which if indus
triously pursued, is certain to yield fair
living. They are not driven to the Guilt
walton of their wits to make living with
out labor, or to encourage species of
sharp practice by which they may over
reach their neighbor. Their knowledge is
generally in demand, and those who en-
ploy them get an equivalent for what they
pay. Habits of honesty, fair dealing and
sobriety are thus cultivated and the mind
kept at an equipoise, and moral character
given robust, healthy growth which is
proof against temptation,
There are no two instit utions of learn
ing in the State, which promise to do more
to give high and honorable tone to So
ciety than the Miller Manual Labor School
and Blacksburg Agricultural College. The
curriculum combines mental with manual
training, preparing the student for useful
ness in either department of endeavor,
and qualifying him to meet the demands
of both, OF either. A sense of Self-reliance
is inspired, conscious independence is
felt, which stimulates the growth of the
nober traits of manhood and assures the
community useful citizen.
We are reminded, by the train of thought
we are INDUCING, of a notable instance OF
the result of mechanical training. Almost
everybody in Virginia knows of John M.
Robinson. He is now President of the
Car DINA Central Railroad; the Raleigh
and Augusta Railroad the Seaboard and
Roanoke Railroad, and the Baltimore
Steam Packet Company. When quite a
young man his father placed him in a
machin ne shop as regular apprentice
After learning what he could there he went
to Paris and there served for three years
in the most extensive and complete of the
shops of that great city, and returned to
Virginia master machinist. During the
war he was assigned to staff duty as an
engineer, and while travelling from Rich
mond to Danville the usefulness of his
knowledge was brought into requisition.
The engine of the railroad got out of Or
but could not discover where the fault
was, and the prospect was that the train
| would remain where it was until another
engine could be procured. In this emer
gency, Mr.. Robinson, who was passen-
ger, pulled off his coat, crawled under the
engine, and turning on his back carefully
examined the intricate machinery of the
engine. finally called for a wrench. and af-
ter using that, asked for a hammer and
cold chlsel, and after applying that as the
necessity of the case required, he came
out and told the engineer to prepare to
start. Scarcely had the. anxious passengers
time to get aboard, before the iron horse
moved off, as thing of life, in complete or
der and the trip was made without further
delay or obstruction. The knowledge Mr..
Robinson had acquired in the shops not
only served good purpose in this emer-
gency, but has made him one of the most
successful railroad men in the United
States. Every enterprise with which he
has been associated has been emlnently
successful. His training has been such as
to acquaint him with all the wants of q
tion when necessary, to have them sup
piled. And this would not be the case,
but for his early mechanical training, nor
if he had simply studied the scientific part
of a profession.
What Virginia and the South now most
need is technical knowledge-that their
young men be educated in thesskill of the
shops, and become equipped to take hold
of the enterprises, with which her future
prosperity must be inseparably identified.
1t is fashionable. we know, with snobs and
parvenues, who make up the generality OF
what are called the ''best people, to
sheer at mechanical pursuits and the sooty
face and horny hands of the practical
workers in the shops, but that does not de-
tract from the dignity and usefulness OF
their occupation, nor compromise their
social position with those whose good
opinion is worth having. What is called
society is a canker upon the moral body
of community, sapping its vitals and
perverting it's Misunderstanding class
of drones and oilers, which only mark a
point in the decadence of virtue and the
prostitution of the gifts of nature. The
masculine energies and capacities OF men
cannot afford to waste time in noticing the
gossips and DRAWERS, the dudes and the
ninnies. Their work is nobler, their mis-
sion higher and the demands of State par
amount. The brave hearts and stout arms
of the earnest workers must mould the
destiny of the Commonwealth-elevate its
moral tone, give strength to its institu-
lions, fashion its legislation ard build up
its waste places.
We want more John M. Rcbinsons-
more fathers like his, who will study the
interests of thei1 boys and the State, and
place them where Trey will become
useful citizens and essential factors in the
great enterprises which salone can make
Virginia what she should be and cause her
to advance to her proper place In the SIS
terhood of States.
Supporting Gladstone.
A great mass meeting. of Liberals and
Radicals was held in St. James Hall on
the evening Of the 22d. Mr.. Labouchere
presided, supported by Messrs. Bradlaugh,
.1.z~.n