The national leader., 1889-01-26
Alexandria Jottings.
Regular Correspondence of the NATIONAL
LEADER.

One of the best papers ever read here
was that on 1.-THE Education we
Need" by Mr.. t. r. Holmes, Of
Washington. D. G., before the Friday
Night Literary Club, at Beulah Bap.
gentleman set forth and ably defended
the theories that our public school sys-
tenn of education is all wrong, and
that we should introduce industrial
training in the place of so much mind
training. He held that the present
system consists of memOriZing useless
and soon forgotten formulae. and that
pupil trained in the public schools
Is not fitted for the battle of life. He
thought that the schools should teach
trades so that the recipients might
have means by which they could sup
port themselves and those dependent
on them. He held that mere mind
education made the possessOrs look
upon honest toll as degrading. He
used figures to show that the greater
part of our criminal class were fairly
educated.
Now. all agree that every boy and
girl should have trade, even If there
Is no need to engage in work at 1T.
But few believe that it is the true work
of the public schools to give trades.
There is a growing tendency to demand
from the schools what it was never in
tended that they shoald give, and what
they cannot give. Trades cannot be
taught if any thing else is to be taught.
If they could be. it is doubtful whether
tot I,oc riOht tn q k0
carpenters, blacksmiths. ETC., than to
make preachers, lawyers. real estate
brokers, etc., A trade, profession, or
occupation is a man'sprivate affair, and
a host of evils beset us when we at
tempt to regulate it. The work Of the
public school is mlnd-training. Every
thing that helps to that end may be
admitted. Whatever diminishes the
time which should be devoted to men
tai improvement is perniciOGs and
should be excluded. There should he.
however, what is called industrial
training in the schools for the purpose
OF developing skill, observation. etc.
The Friday Night Literary Club is
a growing institution. 1t is gathering
among its members some of the most
intelligent colored people of the city.
The last meeting was one of the best
the club has held.
Mr.. D. W. Chinn left the city last
week for Old Point where he is second
waiter.
The Frederick Douglass Library
Association held their second parlOr
literary entertainment at the pleasant
home of Mr.. Magnus l.. Robinson,
Editor National Leader, No. 606 Gibbon
St., on Monday night. The weather
being bad there were not many ladies
present, but quite number Of gentle
men were out. The exercises con-
sisted of an essay on Temperance"
and music on the organ, cOrnet and
violin. Refreshments were served by
the hostess, Mrs. Ida f. Robinson and
every one spent most pleasant even
ing. Among the guests were Mes
DANES Whittier, Hackley. and Mrs.
Reverend Robert II. Robinson of
Georgetown, D. G. Messrs Rundulph
Whittier, r. B. Robinson, r. B. Hop
kins, James Lumpkins, D. Proctor S.
King, A. w. Hopkins, Fl. G. Smith,
H. Self, S. Allen, and others.
MIS- W. a. Sdl GCl LOO ICCClNCu
$205 60 from the officers of the True
Reformers, which was made payable
to her as the heir of her mother, the
late Mrs. Leannah Parker, who was a
member of one of the classes Of that
order.
The sermon announced 10 be preached
to young men by Rev. n. M. Carroll
has been held over till Sunday night,
9th inst. on account of the inclement
weather of last Sunday night.
Mrs. Agnes Proctor and daughter
returned to the city on Friday enening,
having been visiting in Danville and
Culpeper, Mrs. Proctor was highly
pleased with her trip. and brings favor
able news of the condition Of the COL
ored people of Danville. She says they
are occupying every part of the city,
and are engaged in many lines of busi-
ness. There are stores IN Danville run
by colored men, which are as large as
any of their kind here. It seems, from
the reports of those who travel from
city to city, that our people are doing
better at every other place than here.
What is the reason? We think the
fault is with us.
The choir of Roberts Chapel are pre-
pairing for an Organ Concert to be CIV
en- when the pipe organ is finished.
The Bee didn't buzz in these parts
last week. Did it break down in COM
ing because of the weight of the venom
in its stingp
Several persons have expressed them
selves as highly pleased with the Alex.
andria letter Of the NATIONAL LEAD
ER. We ask all to speak favorable
word for the enterprise that we may
secure creditable subscription list.
Mr.. Simon King is so we'll pleased
with the LEADER that he has secured
us one or two subscribers.
The Corbett Club are preparing to be
in the Inauguration procession. The
Club numbers over sixty members.
Mrs. Katharine Hall, the grand.
mother of Mrs. T. E. Dulany, was
buried from the Alfred Street Baptist
Church on last Sunday at 3. P. NJ.
The Organ Club of Ebenezer Bap-
tist Church will add a handsome organ
to the beauties of their church.