The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-16

I'll, but have devised and put into practice edu-
cstional systems better adapted TO the needs OF
the masses and more productive OF real power
sfsn any which have preceded them hrcDsn mou
arch who had seen his realm oyerrun and ms
armies disgracefuly defeated by. a hated in
yader had the wisdom to perceive and the
courage to declare that the fatal weakness OF his
people lay not in their spirit. but in their lgno-
rance. He could hardly have addressed TO them
words better calculated 20 arouse their ma
oa pride or to h eve baTd %
deed, lost in territory and fallen in external
power and splendor, but We must see 70 1t that
We gam IN internal Power aHb sn sn
ple."
The truest statesman is he who realizes most
profoundly the Importance Of developing into
practical power the intellectual force OF the
people, the best patriot is no who is most pro-
foundly concerned that this tremendous force
shall have right directions the most useful
philanthropist he who contributes most by IN
huence or material means to establish. equip
and maintain agencies for the true education OF
the masses.
LIFE IS BRIEF.
When we see the most learned OF men bowed
IN humble confession that what they KNOW Is as
nothing TO what is movable we realIe now
bret Is the span OF lie ana no" st thn vsst
largest opportunities IN comparison 10 tne Nas.1
ness OF nature and OF the accumulated stores OF
literature, science and art;
1t Is safe 10 say that the edncation II p tho
which produces the largest result out OF tne
natural endowment Of its subject. III IL equaily
certain that what is called education OFTEN sup.
plies only mass of dead knowledge Nituou'
Qulckening in the slightest degree the lHJeHeC-
tual or mora faculties and without httlng us
recipient for productive work Oh any sort "ha'-
ever. ..
This tendency towards practical education
is one OF the most cheering signs OF th9 TIMES,
IL has been resisted but happily resisted IN vain
by the shallow sentimentalism which shudueTs
at the mere suggestion that education shoulu
have any relation 10 affairs, but claims that u
should be sort Of aerial. coloreu'
dainty and dreamy intellectual accomplishment l.
A feeber and still less respectable protest mas
been offered by that species of snoo-
berry which affects to look down on in
dustrial pursuits II Is not 10 be sup
posed that this silly notion deters from seeking
an industrial education many youths who nave
sufficient intelligence and pluck 10 become use
full in any of the noble mechanic arts, but II IS
pleasant to hear these words which James ar
ton wrote many years ago when industrial edu-
cation WAS in Its infancy IN the United States
JAMES PABToS's WORDS.
Compare the mechanics in the novelty wor ks
with the clerks in Stewards store. The clerks
are excellent fellows they look we'll dress Well
understand their business ana are IN every, re-
spect worthy members OF society; but our best
mechanics have a certain force OF MANHOOD
weight of character and depth OF rehecuoHI
rarely seen in those who only buy ana sell.
r.
our institutions OF learning. NeyeItheless.
feel confident that an intelligent youth VINO re-
mains at school until he Is sixteen or seventeen
and then apprentlced TO goOd trace can Bet a
better education ont of his shop with an hour
study of principles IN the evening than " Is
possible TO get in any college IN e1lstence-thai
is TO say, better education ior TINS new anu
forming country, where for fifty years at least
10 come no man can hope to play Leading part
except in welding natural forces, | say then
lads of sixteen. If you would lay the FOUNDATION
for sure prosperity begin by Learning trade
II you would escape the perditlon OF being q
fool learn trade II you would DO a man
part for your country begin the work OF prepa-
ration by learning trade"
Would That every city in this land had a
school like your Mechanics institute; had tne
public spirit to give 1t such school 10 open 10
its youth the avenues 10 prOuuctFe entio3
mentt he way to n thorough practical educatloh'
to give them such good chance to grow up
into earnest, intelligent and useful citizens.
Mr.. Richardson then gave a number Of very
interesting statistics showing the relation be
tween idleness and crime. and said that he be-
lieved we were in the dawn OF "a better
era for our educational system. He expressed
shame at the fact that some Of the members
of the Constitutional Convention OF Georgia
of 1878 showed opposition to a liberal policy
of public education.
He gave interesting facts in regard TO what
his own State had done and was now doing as
regards public education, and mentioned
grand work done by the schools OF technol-
ogy in that and other States.
II is 10 the honor Of Richmond that among her
citizens have been found number Suihcient 10
establish and mai am such school as thlS. III
is TO the honor OF Virginia that she Is concern
ing herself so profoundly about the education
of her children. She long ago put her loot upon
the miserable theory OF one OF her early col0-
NAL Governors, who, IN l6ll. wrote; imam,
God there are no free schools nor printing, ah'l
hone we shall not have these Tor hundred
years, for learning has brought dlsoDedlence
and heresy and sects into the world. and print
ing has diyulged them and lhels against the
best government God keep Us from both
She has rather cherished and followed the
precept of her own illusirlOus son, who SAIL: 1
look TO the diffusion OF light and EDUCATION h1
the resource most 10 he relied on LOT ahello-
rating the condition. promoting the virtue
and advancing the happiness OF man. system
Of general instruction, which shall reach every
description of our citizens from me rlches!
SO il shall be the latest of all the public concerns
i'm which shall permit myself 10 take an inter
eat Give il TO MS in any shape, and receive Tor
the inestmahle boon he THANKS Oh the youlR
and the blessings of the old, who are past all
other serving but prayers for the prosperity OF
their country and blessings 10 those who pro-
mote it,
JEFFERsoNIAN SPIRIT.
The spirit Of Virginia to-day is the spirit OF
Thomas Jefferson. and not that OF Sir William
Berkeley -,.
watch with intense ana IRA Iual liilt looA
indication OF your returning prosperity as they
have witnessed with the tenderest sympathy
your sore affection. To us the name and the
traditions Of Virginia are very dear Nhen 9
great Georgian declared in the Senate of the
United States that he loved every, line OF. Nir-
ginias history he spoke for the hearts OF his
whole people. Long ago we learned 10 hohoI
Virginia for her glorious services to our COM
mon country, for the genius and the grace
of her people for the mighty men and the noble
women who have enriched and adorned her an
mails, but we love her for her unspeakable sur
ferings III a struggle which was ours as mucn
as hers. and because her soil was made forever
sacred 10 us when il received the blood OF
Georgia best and brayest sons
We have. watched your hard and perplexine
trials in later years and have been deeply
touched by the courage and patience with which
You met them. And use no idle words when
declare that as Georgia sees Virginia emerging
triumphant from her trials. coming out Of the
valley OF the shadow in which II was. ordained
that she should walk so long, Georgia feels q
thrill Of Joy and sends ND q prayer OF grateful
- f.aft~ Al