The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-03-31
EFFECTS OF TRAINING.

EFFECTS OF TRAINING.
The Influence of Surron ndines
Upon the Habits and Destinies
of Youug People.
Cities, States and nations are proud
of their distinguished SONS schools
and colleges publish lists of their
famous graduates to provo the value
of tho instruction given them, and
elementry schools never fail to mon.
tion the great men who were started
in life from their portals. The dis
tinction has been won by the men
themselves, but everybody associated
with them in any way claim a share
of the honor. Nor are these claims
wholly unreasonable. The course
even of a man of genius is largely ie-
tsrmined by his environment. If he
should rise above the common level,
the presumption is that he had good
training in or out of school. The city
or State thai sends forth great mon
may fairly be presumed to have some
features of social life or custom favor
able to the development of genius.
A little town in Pennsylvania has
given birth to a number of eminent
lawyers and politicians out of all pro.
portion to its population. 1t would
be interesting to trace, if possible, the
reasons for its eminence in this respect.
The people who settled in this town
were of a sturdy and intelligent race !;
they established good schools and it
became q custom in the community to
honor learning above anything e!s,.
The youth who was born thers inner.
tied disposition TO study and the
ability to acquire; provision was made
for his education aud he was stimu.
lated 10 effort by the traditions of his
birthplace aud the example Of his
predecessors. This much is known,
and under those favorable influences q
large number of men distinguished in
State and national life have grown up
in Belletonte.
No very broad conclusions can be
drawn from this or similar ob,erva
tions, but it seems reasonable to con-
clude that the influence known as OH
vironmeat may bs favorable to tho
development IF talent. The efftc.s of
training have been frequently observ-
cd. Arrsparotcry A school gains repu
tation because its students are the
honor msn of colleges aud universi.
ties; the head master dies, and in the
cours, OF time it lnsss its reputation,
Wecaunot affirm that it that it has
similar material to deal with, but it
appears to be similar and yet it does
not meet with lis old-time success. l.
is fair inference that TIE instruction
given is not of the same quality. Its
cUurses of study may remain the same,
but there is lacking the inspiration OF
u real teacher. The pupils ara no
longer we'll grounded in their stu.ies
and no longer distinguish themselves
in after lite.
This, ut least, seems to be fair in
ference, for when we turu to less com
plex problems of training, such as
that f the lower animals. we kaow
beyond doubt that training counts for
almost as much as natural ability.
The pedigree of horse counts for
something, his training for great
deal. and the jockey who rides him i.
often the prime factor iu race. 1t is
possible that the same factors deter
mine the course Of man, though it is
difficult for us to determine the factors
in his case. His pedigree is not care
fully kept, or if kept. is no, as easily
measured as that of horse; of his
training We can have little nowled GO,
80 numerous are the Influences brought
t. bear upon him. nor do We know
anything about the impulses that ride
him like a jockey in his race. We may,
however, fairly infer that training
counts for something, and that it il
therefore our duty to surround the
growing boy or girl with as many in
huences for good as possible.
The school training should b.
thorough, even though it should not
be carried very far. Deficiencies iu
that respect may be made up ia after
life, provided good foundation has
been laid. But above all, the homo
training and the training of social life
should be made wholesome and sleva
ting. The city, state or nation which
has done its duty in promoting ed
ucational influences can be Justly
proud of those of its sons Who may
have distinguished themselves; 80 slso
the schools and colleges may shsrs in
the honors won by their graduates,
provided they have given sound train