The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-12


unation Of the negross Of the South
and the need OF its ex ension will be
read with pleasure by every reader OF
the APPEAL who is interested even in
the least degree 10 the advancement
OF the negro. 1t was delivered st the
late anniversary Of the American
Missionary Association at New Haven,
Connecticut
Address by r. q. Horthrup, LID.
The new departure in education
has emphasized the importance of
early training in handwork. The
primary aim OF the kindergarten Is to
train the eye and hand. In Europe
industrial and trade schools and tech
nical schools have long been main
taine5. Encouraged by national aid,
nearly all the American States have
now established schools or colleges OF
agriculture and the mechanic arts.
Kindred institutions endowed by pri-
vate liberality in various parts OF the
country, industrial Departments or
gan zed in connection with many col
legss, like Tulane Univeriity, 10 New
Orleans; the Washington University,
in 81. Louis, and Giraid College, in
Philadelphia; the Hebrew Technical
institute, in New York City, supported
by Jewish citizens, snd the manual
training schools in st. Louis, Chicago,
To'ed =, Philadelphia, Baltimore and
other cities all illustrate the growing
appreciation OF industrial education.
SKILLED LABOR DIscIPLIERs THE MIND
and energies the character. To plan
and contrive, to fit and match, to nice
ly adapt means to ends favors clear
ness and precision Of thought as well
as patience and perseverance,. GER
tain drill OF mind and will comes from
manual deftness Blunderers natural
" dislike labor, while skill and dex
/ rity foster interest and industry in
worth. Industrial training provides
the best cure for the notion that labor
is mental and that the tools Of the
trade are badge OF servilty. In Ger
many, Switzerland and other Europe
an countries such training provided
for girls as we'll as boys, has dignified
labor and increased its efficiency.
They are there taught both in the
family and school that to learn TO be
useful is alike their duty, privilege
and interest. The theory that labor lie
degrading drudgery will demean any
artisan and bar improvement In his
art. Ga the other hand, pride and
pleasure in ones work leads TO higher
excellence, both in his craft
and character. The problem of
our day ia TO elevate work by ele-
waiting the workman. What man
il, stamps an impress on what he
does, even in the humblest forms OF
industry. The skilled workman 30
forecasts his work that every blow
tells, economizing both st ength and
stock. You thus dignity work by i'm
proving its processes and increasing
its reaults. II was wise provision OF
the Hebrews that their children should
all learn some haudicraft, and hence
with them labor WAS always honora'
bic and no man was ashamed OF his
trade. The chief Of the apostles did
not degrade his high Office when he
resumed his trade OF tent making, HE
associates were fishermen.
To HONOR MANUAL LABOR
the great teacher worked patiently at
the carpenters trade. These facts and
principles apply specially 10 the col
ored people OF the South. Freedom
brings its peril as well as privileges.
To them as slaves labor was mental
and demeani1g, and life OF ease and
Incidence was their ideal OF freedom.
For them II is a long step 10 reach the
true idea OF the diguity OF labor and
its vital relations TO thrift and virtue
and to all human excellence
and progress. Emancipation meant
a mi lenium OF ease as well Nc of
independence. As wards Of the gem
eral government and Of special
providence, they felt little need ma
terially 10 work out their own saliva
ton. Tool craft has its moral side.
Says the Talmud: "When a parent
teaches his son no trade, 1t is as il he
taught him robbery" Industry and
Vir.ue are as near akin az idlenets and
crime. In slavery there wss little
chance or motive for economy, thrift,
or foresight. Sail support was unnec
essary, if not impossible, Take no
thought for the morrow was literally
the rule. The horizon was bounded
by today. Corn, cotton, tobacco or
sugar being the staples, the great ma
joniy, as field hands, had only simple
and mo- otonous worS and learned to
do nothing else. Hence they now
need industrial training far more than
the Cautassians. The whole South is
just learning the necessity OF more di
vorsified hnsbandry and more varied
trades and manufactures.
THE CoLoRED YOUTH
in the schools and colleges OF this
association should all be prepared to
bs leaders in this progressive move
ment. II isa good sign that they are
beginning to feel its importance, and
take to tools esslly aud eagerly. In
many happy instsnces / have seen
how skilled industry tells on the ne
g,o's manhood, self respect, self re-
lance, seli support, his genuine indie
pendenoe and prosperity. One hears
many touching stories OF tolls, stfug-
gles and successes, told with such an
air OF conscious triumph as wins your
admiration Of their genuine heToism,
for true heroes are often found in the
humb'est walks Of life. Skilled in
duslry will tend TO improve their
homes no often cheerless, dismal
dirty, il not sometimes tl)orless, one
room cabins, where, herdipg like
bes Is, tbs drcenoies Of lie cannot be.
One Of their most urgent needs is the
betterment Of heir homes, II that rich
Saxon word may be applied TO their
wfe,ched huts, often with no chance
for light or air except through the
chinks in the rough boards Ia ell
sges and in all lands the dwellings OF
theJpeope have been the index OF
their barbarism or the measure OF
their civilization. Christianity has
ever marked its tiiumphs over pagan
ism by improving the homes Of its
converts. That will prove practical
gospel, that shall help the oolored peo-
pie to realize that the chief privilege
Of life is the creation of happy, taste
ful homes. When such is ones ideal,
and his home beclmgs his pet and
pride, life has higher significance and