The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-06-16
TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
IT'S IMPORTANCE IN THE <OuTu
AND THE RE~lLT~.
Dr. Dabney's Theme at the a. and N
college Nesterday-Prtzes Awarded
by Chief Justice Merrtmon.

y
by Chief Justice uerrtmou.
At IL o'clock yesterday morning the
auditorium at the Agricultural and Ne
chanical college was well filled with stu
dents and friends of the school, and the
exercises of commencement day proper
opened with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Cole of
the Edenton street Methodist church
There being no graduating class as vet.
the programme consisted of the annual
address and delivering of the medals
only. and the speaker for the occasion.
Dr. Dabney, of the University of Tcnnes-
see, was introduced by presidentHolliday.
Prof. Dabney Is no stranger in Raleigh,
being at one time director of the sgricul-
tural experiment station here and a resi-
dent of the city for some years. He is
descendant of an old line Virginia family
and his father was a Presbyterian pastor
of note in that State, afterwards a pro-
fessor at Hamden Sydney college. the
alma mater of the speaker in question.
After brief summary Of memories
dear TO him in this State. tribute To the
educational work of Prof. Kemp T..
Battle, Ex-Governor Jarvis and other
gentlemen In North Carolina, and of the
Importance of emulating their example
the part of the young men Of the present.
he began an active and practical dis
course on THE Importance of technical
education TO the South and the results
that it can work" He referred To the
people of years ago. and the people today.
the tn ha h.,s. o Ia l...
developed with the circumstances and
characteristics of the enterprising, bust
ness, practical spirit of the age. He
spoke at length of the old school and
college curriculums, in which the classics.
or dead languages, were practically the
only things taught. and the consequent
inability Of the students TO battle with the
issues of thoroughly practical
age. He did not disparage the study of
the ancient languages or over estimate
the importance of the sciences. but be-
lieved in schools that can train boy or
girl In that avocation for which they sre
best fitted for life. II is simply matter
OF the classics for mind training-the
sciences for judgment and observation.
lie dwelled upon the modern philosophy
of education and the modern mode of
teaching and declared against the ..short
cut" routes or long degrees and short
courses. Technical education, as he ad-
vocated, a study of nature and natures
laws as utilized for the study of civiliza-
ton and for the study of all problems Of
life that will put the student in reach
OF iife's goals. He spoke about the
matter of sending off for men To develop
the resources of our own State, when
young men in North Carolina could be
taught and should he taught To assume
the responsible duties themselves. Here
came in the discussion of the A. a NJ.
college, in which he paid a tribute To
this special department Of education; re-
fcrred To the growing necessity for men
Of brains To battle with the agricultural.
mechanical and industrial problems, the
achievements in store for such men. the
work on this line Of our own college and
the Importance of sustaining it. IL WAS
altogether an able address and
interesting, and was an earnest talk on the
Importance of maintaining industrial
schools.
The prizes were awarded TO the follow
ing young gentlemen in "A happy speech BY
chief justice Merrimon; Improvement
in Agricultural field practice, medal Ia
J. A. Anthony, Catawba county; for
earning most money by agricultural
work outside of regular college
course, $40 in gold TO w A. Bullock.
Vance county; for second best. S5 in
gold To A. ii. Prince, Vance county.
Among those present AT the commence
ment exercises were III. +. Fries. Salem
w. 4. Blair, Winston; W r. Green.
Franklinton; Senator Willis H. viii
liams, Falkland, Pitt county; J. Il. Cof-
field. Everettes; W. II. Capehart, Avoca
w. +. Stevens. Clinton: j. :. Murrow.
Centre; j. +. Payne, Alma; A. Leazar,
Mooresville; ;. J.. Patterson, Yadkin
Valley; G. u. Smith. Franklin; Dr.
Duffy. Newbern; J. IIaughton, Pitts
boro, and others