Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-26
MENTAL TRAINING FOR WORKERS.
Commissioners Webb's Address at the
COlOred Industrial Exhibition.
EDUCATION AS A FACTOR IN THE ORDINARY
INDUSTRIES OF LIFE-REMARKS ON PUBLIC
SCHOOL EDUCATION.

Commissioner Webb addressed the assem-.
blage at the colored industrial exhibition last
evening. He spoke to them as fellow citizens
among whom he had grown up and whose
progress he had watched with pleasure and of
whose successes he was proud. He spoke of
their industry and intelligence and of the good
use they had made of their public school adj
vantages. He treated more directly OF educa-
ton as a factor in the ordinary industries of
life, and how it could be applied with advan-
tage to all classes of labor 1t could no longer
De looked upon as luxury, nor could it be
argued that because of a mans humble occupa-
ton he was not in need Of education. Educa-
ZION did not elevate man above his avocation,
put raised his work with him. He defended
the policy of education beyond the rudiments
In the public schools, and said:
1t Is mans own fault nowadays If he is
Ionnd In the ranks OF the ignorant and unen-
ngntened. The spirit of the times, the needs
or the people. the clamor OF the multitude,
ailke demand, not as a privilege, but right,
that the means and advantages of education
shall be brought to his door, shall be a part of
his everyday rights as a citizen. There is not q
man here who may not send his children to the
child advance to the highest point OF intellect
ual culture. say this because this public edu-
cation is not confined to mere elementary train:
Ing, Is not content with imparting to the pupil
the rudiments upon which to base his efforts at
self.culture, but this education takes the youth
lar beyond this; 1t advances him to the highest
privileges and appurtenances of the college and
enables him, If be be SO disposed, to attain the
very highest culture possible to man. 1t has
been contended by some that this is a vice in
our public school system; that the great object
children accomplished scholars, learned, Guilt
waited men and women. but simply to Undue
M1h ane the OF aa
application the completion of the education
appropriate to the condition and life
thing in ali this, and there undoubtedly is,
unless we can find something and some way to
make their education of the highest character
useful TO them. Ii 1T Is simply ornamental,
II 1t is to be of use in future lives, ii it
can be only available to those whose paths
lead them into the learned professions, into the
scientific pursuits of lite, then it becomes very
serious question whether this education is not
a failure and the time devoted to it wasted.
This is a very serious question: and which it be-
comes US all 10 ponder aud consider well. There
can be no question that the object OF all such
education is mental training, and along with
that the imparting OF mental strength. Men
become able to use their faculties with greater
facility, as a result of this mental training. To
put the question we are considering In a few
and as plain words as we can put it, are men
better prepared to do the work allotted to them
in this world because their minds have been
trained and strengthened or not, because If 1t
could be made to appear that those men do the
best work In the world whose faculties are the
strongest and brightest, then the question is
settled, and no more need be said about it. The
discussion is ended. have been led into this
train OF remark because 1 believe it in every
""S ~ octAcsaIy APpiiCtoie 70 Inc WORK II Wnlcn
1 find You engaged in this exposition. By it
you are making application of this mental
training OF which have been speaking to the
daily pursuits OF life. You have brought to-
gether here the evidence of that high culture
gained from the schools. You have made an
exhibit of the superiority OF education when
applied to matters that conduce to mans adj
vancement; matters that are practically bene-
hclal In every department OF life."
He commended the application of education
70 practical matters ana gave picture of those
who complained OF education as a burden
which untitled them for practical work. A
proper education. he thought, could not do this.
advance the material prosperity of man and to
render him better fitted to perform the work OF
exhibition and the promise it gave for their
future.