The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-12-16
CBy T. NJ. Robertson.)

Carolina during the past few years mas
excited the admiration and wonder OF
our people. When all the circumstance
are considered, there has probably been
nothing to compare with it in the INDUS
trial growth Of any other portion OF THIS
country. Along With this industrial ac-
tivity has come an educational awaken
ing that means more than all things else
for the future good of our state. Inc
educational campaign now being WaSed
has revealed to thinking men one serious
fact, namely, that we cannot make great
progress in education without more
money. We have boosted that we have
the cheapest state government IN the
United States. Our ability TO make that
boast has enabled the rest of the world
to point 80 us an example OF the deep
est ignorance i'll any American state.
This is not q pleasant acknowledgment,
hut it is just as we'll to be honest WIN
ourselves and admit the truth. II we
are wise, we will now learn this lmpor-
tant lesson. We cannot educate our peo-
ple without schools; We cannot nave
schools without money; and we cannot
have money without taxes. Our otat1
Constitution has just been amended ana
wisely. But it needs another amendment
perhaps more than the one recently
adopted. Let us now abolish mat clause
in cur Constitution which proElblts me
General Assembly from leVying sufncleht
taxes to provide schools for u children.
Our State gets more for its money IMAM
any other community on the face OF the
earth. But we do not have enough money
to spend. and we never can nave II as
long as we have q Constitution thdt
limits US to a beggarly pittance. inns
is not popular talk, but it is the solld'
uasbakable truth ard the sooner we
realize il the better.
We need a higher tax rate and we nced
more wealth to tax. Recent years haNe
added much to our wealth, ana IL we VIII
proceed wisely With cur scheme TOR ed
ucation we can soon double our taxable
wealth. We must develop our resources
and multiply our industrial activity 10
do his We must provide special education
looking to Industrial growth. The world
REQUIRES lust so much Of the fruits OF
industry and its requirements increase
each wear. Centers Of production OF the
necessities Of mankind are being estab-
lished and avenues of trade which VIII
these necessities are being lald
out. The United states promises soon
to be the dominating commercial power
of the world, and North Carolina has the
opportunity OF becoming a very large
factor in the nations new career of great
ness. L is our golden opportunity. we
can improve the opportunity. make our
selves hich and powerful, or we can sleep
along in our oId-fashiCned way and let
other communities seize the prize that
nature marked for us. Which will we
dog
ether countries now hold first place
in many fields of production by purely ar
tifcial means. When they lacked raw
materials and home markets they offset
the former with trained mechanics and
the latter with commercial enterprises.
We, with natural resources unlimited,
can easily Dominate the of
the earth if we will train our artisans
and contend for our share of the carrying
trade Of the world. And orth Carolina
can have her share in this proud achieve
ment il she Will put forth proper effort.
But We must work for flight for it.
1t IS just a plain proposition of business.
There is no sentiment in business. 1t
is calculating and cold-bloOded. 1t
knows 10 favorites. If we expect to CONG
pete successfully with our manufacturing
communities we must produce as good
goods at lower prices or better goods at
the same prices. If we expect to trade
with people We must have what they
want, and we must be able to supply
their wants cheaper than any one else
can.
Gun enterprises must be profitable. We
must make money. It is right that We
make money, and labor and capital and
enterprise cannot live without it. i do
ret believe that an individual or a people
Is over better employed than when en-
gagged in honorable money-making. 1
know that the habit of getting wealth
is condemned by some. They tell US that
"commerCialism" is the term applied to
modern business that it may brighten the
thoughtlcSs. 1t is to be regretted that
newspapers and some public men
sometimes attempt to make it appear
that wealth is to be stunned and that
the wealthy are q conspiring band of sin
ncrs that ought to be kicked Of the
earth. | would not haye our people
worship mamElon. but | would nave them
realize that money honestly made and
wisely spent is necessary to the highest
happiness. l would have them remember.
tee. that thrift does not dwell in the
tents OF ignorance.
"BuSincss' is the ruling power of the
world. It has invaded the domain of
p~olitlcS-sNcDt aside traditions and the
ories-and introduced the multiplication
table into Statccraft. 'Busincss' has
entered the field OF education and estab-
llsiled schools in which men and Nomcn
are taught TO do things. These are
conditions and not theories that con-
front us, and We must meet them face
to face whether VIC will or not. Educa-
ticn is the foundation Of business sue
cess. The successful man is educated in
his calling. The man whose education
consists in q general knowledge of sew
cral things and particular knowledge of
nothing, is not likely to succeed. He
may 30 50, but it is not probable. The
man Who is specially educated for Il
definite purpose is almost sure to sue
coed. The man who has both general
and special education is ideally trained.
Of all men he Will be most Successful
most useful, and most happy.
IT is for this special education along
industrial lines that | plead. England
aud fGIanHuy and Fr3uca aud ,tb,, -,