The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-11-07

DR.. Curry. agent of the Peabody Ed
ucational Fund. recently stated that the
South had expended upon popular ed
ucation, or rather in support of public
free schools, since the war, 100000, 00O-
that $3, O00, 900 were being appropriated
every year to keep in healthy operation
10000 schools, operated under the free
school system. This is certainly re
markable showing. considering the i'm
poverished condition in which the wal
left the Southern States and the des.
truction that was effected-her political
social and industrial systems revolu-
tionized. 1t is almost beyond credulity
that people Invested of nearly all per
sonal property wealth-their territory
devastated, and by necessity compelled
to enter upon new and untried avenues
of endeavor, should have voluntarily
drawn upon their scanty resources fol
such an immense sum to educate the
children of the Southern section, of boti
sacrifice, public spirit and philanthropit
purpose to be found in modern history.
Yet with this appropriation from re
stricted means the people have pressed
forward in the paths of enterprise-havt
reached into enlarged fields of industry
have adapted themselves to new con
ditions, and now are on the highway to
prosperity never before vouchsafed to
,,x vor+;on of tho Tniop
Not only is the rising generation be
ing trained in letters and the essentia
studies for the ordinary uses OF life, but
they are placed in contact with Other
past generations were not accustomed
Heretofore technical training was con
fined to the North and West; workshops
and furnaces and all departments of me
chanical industry were almost exclu-
sively carried on in the Eastern States
The new South is forging ahead in all
these branches. The intellections
of the youth of this new South are be
ing expanded and enlarged under the
new inspiration. They are entering
upon broader and more utilitarian
theatre of human endeavor and action
and are measuring up, with remarkable
energy and adaptability, to the new de-
mands that are upon them. The mines
and the workshops the mechanical in
ventions for the use of the native pro
duets of the South, are all coming I'M
der the control of Southern genius and
nerve: and the dawn of a new era, with
diversified avenues for enterprise, is
opening upon us, which promises to as
found the world in the transformation
it will make in the attachments. the pur
suits, and the results that will be eff
fected.
With this wider, more practical and
stimulating condition, stirring the phys
ical energies and enlarging the mental ca
pacities of our people, there is a future
for them whose possibilities are beyond
conjecture and whose fruitions defy com
putation. With the young men of the
South trained to appreciate the mar
velous resources of their section :, edu
Gated by practical contact, to under
stand and appropriate the material
wealth they possess, and to reduce it tC
/ the uses and demands of the times
/ there is no country on the globe which
has such promise. Then when you
/ take into consideration with these. the
warm. generous natures which are ma
/ tive to the South: which are indigo
! nous to our sunny cline, and find then
| growth and development no where else
/ to such fullness, there is assurance of &
/ civilization. of intellectual and mora
/ development and attainment which car
be vouchsafe in no other portion of the
world.
The public free schools and the work
shops and factories and furnaces of the
South are to be the educational institu
tions of new people, SO to speak, &
new dispensation, a more robust mental
and moral development.anda higher and
broader civilization. The sceptre of ma
terial and political power will pass, even
tually. to their control and ample com
pensation be returned for all the sacri
flee and suffering which have been
endured in the process of its attainment.
Every ton of ore every carload of coal,
every output of furnace are factors
in this great educational work in the
progress. to a more robust mental and
moral growth and to more practi-
cal and useful civilization. Refining
sentimentalism, abstract theoriZing, and
sensual luxuray, are no part of this new
condition. These are relegated to the
past and consigned to the tomb of sla-
very whence they elnanated. Intrepid ac-
tive, manly effort, of mind and body,
and intelligent knowledge of the prodi-
gal gifts of nature, and the uses to make
of Them are the agencies which are t.
crown the new South with an imperial
diadem and place her in the front of a
progressive civilization.