The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-07-11
OXFORD ORPHANAGE.
EARNEST AND ELOQUENT PLEA IN ITS
BEHALF.

EARNEST AND ELOQUENT PLEA IN ITS
BEHALF.
Grafton of Hon. Francis D. Winston,
Delivered June 75th, On the Occasion
of the Annual Celebration of St.
Johns Day.
From the Orphans Friend we take
the following portion of Hon. Francis
D. Winston's admirable Grafton at
the Oxford Orphanage on St. Johns
Day. We regret that the address was
not published entire. The most elo-
quent and pleasing part, and which
perhaps would prove most interesting
to the general reader, is omitted and
only that portion which deals more
directly with the Orphanage and its
work and future is published. Mr..
Winston said /:
There is no clear idea among our
people of the purposes and objects for
which this institution was established.
There is general sentimental idea
abroad that the Orphan Asylum is a
good thing-just the place to send
boys and girls to get them out of the
community and to keep them from
becoming county charges. Another
class of our citizens BELIEVE: it the
main business of this institution to
educate boys and girls for the menial
positions in life-for the cook room
and horse lot.
This is no intelligence office to
supply the poor with hostle,. or the
rich with footman ; the quar- ter with
milk maid or the great house with a
chamber maid. The thousands annually
expended here are distributed on no
such low plane. The first idea here
is the protection of the weak, the
furnishing of shelter to the homeless
and food and clothing to the destitute
and hungry. This is no refolmatory
to correct the criminal bent and evil
habit. Such an institution is needed
IN North OaTOllna.
The idea here is to rear citizens
men and women for the State. 1t is
as imperative to equip these boys and
girls for every duty of life as it is to
feed, house and clothe them. The
development here is physical, moral,
intellectual. 1t is upon these lines the
work is carried on. And it is the
duty of those having the institution in
charge to furnish the fullest and fairest
opportunity for development of man
hood and womanhood.
In the absence of better equipment
the physical training here is confined
to light calisthenics, outdoor games
without danger to life and limb, and
work upon the farm and in the shops.
The farm and workshops have other
uses than mere physical training.
Primarily both add to the support of
those here enrolled. The work is an
intellectual stimulus, by arousing and
fixing the attention, and by occupying
the mind with other thoughts than its
own vicious circle of reflection. Ithas
the moral virtue of teaching application
and patience. Incidentally, also, the
manual labor teaches trade or pro-
fession by which an honest living may
be gained. Here should be the primary
training school for an industrial educa-
ton to be completed in our Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College at
Raleigh. I would make this institution
preparatory to that. would make it
a part of that system of industrial
education now taking such deep hold
on our public mind. In order that
there may be laid the foundation for a
career in our Mechanical College,
there should be placed here such
complete outfits of shops as will foster
and promote that end.
The industrial development upon
which we of the South are entering,
most strongly appeals to North Carolina
to give every opportunity for industrial
training.
The manufacture of our home
! products will demand an almost
inexhaustible supply of mill superin
tendents. The resources of oul
mountains in minerals and metals and
ores will call for hundreds of mine
workers. The diversifcation of oul
agriculture, the establishment of stock
farms, and the iunumerable othel
enterprises incident to our favored
situation will call for men versed ir
the practical labors and technica
training of the schools. l want thi
institution to be the nursery where
such men are reared.
And that there may be the healthy
body for the sound mind, the e shoule
be established here better sanitar,
arrangements, a complete gymnastit
outfit, lavatories, and every opportunit!
for regular and systematic labor. NJ
sane man for moment questions thei
Importance as factors in educationa
life.
As there are no private schools tina
furnish this special elementary indus
trial education, presume it will b.
safe to say that an enlargement of tn
work OF the Asylum along that lin
will meet with very little opposition
Such an equipment can be had at cos
prices.
| The moral training here is entirel.
without sectarian bias. Here are en-
forced certain minute rules of con
duct and behavior, embracing neat
ness of dress or bearing. This ciscip
line has a distinct moral value. /
tends to create standard of conduc
and spirit of manliness. 1t is c
course accompanied by a spirit c
guidance and helpfulness, by the in
: sistence of a moral to an immoral lii