The Portland daily press., 1886-11-25

To every one who gives the subject the at.
-ssption its direct bearing upon the stability
of the repu5iic desesye.-sss abssnes Of any
thing like instruction in such public virtues
as patriotism and political morality in our
public schools must give occasion to grave
misgivings. In the reading and literature Of
the public schools there is an abundance of
opportunity for the American child 10 be-
come familiar with the stirring epochs of his
country's history. He learns enough Of the
stories of the Revolution and the Rebellion
of the patriotism which founded the repub-
lie In 1776, and that preserved the nation In
1861. OF the great deeds and sacrifices OF
the fathers and conservators Of the Union he
Is taught through song and story from his
mothers knee until he ceases TO take any
notice Of mundane affairs. But Of the very
first principles upon which this republic
rests-its absolute dependence on the intel
ligence, watchfulness, and worth Of its eiti-
zens-he Is left In ignorance, or to the chance
schooling Of political discussions at home, or
the misleading utterances Of partisan shib-
boleths in the public press.
1t has long been evident to observers of
lean free schools take less active and effec-
tive interest IN their conduct than the half
educated or Wholly Ignorant foreigners, who
bring to this country the passions and pref
udices born under the class systems Of the
Old World. The native American child's
mind Is turned away from the study Of those
things that would make him a good citizen
first, TO the requirement Of the knowledge
necessary TO make him successful business
man. He Is taught business from the foun-
datlon up, and therefore 1t Is small wonder
that In his maturity he is Indifferent to his
duties as citizen. IL Is the result
OF his early training that has given
such force to the paradox. .The best
citizens are often the worst citizens" All
the evil Influences In society are active and
enthusiastic in their relations to politics.
The educated, the best-equipped voters are
too often and too universally Indifferent to
their high responsibility. When some great
emergency arises they arouse themselves 10
their duties as leaders of public opinion, only
to return to their private business when the
crisis is past, leaving the conduct Of affairs
TO demagogues who pander to ignorance OF
the activity Of un-Americanized voters
The remedy for this condition Of affairs
rests with the public schools. In these boys
and girls should early be taught the relation
of the individual American to his govern
ment They should be taught 10 take an in
terest in all questions affecting the duties Of
citizenship, the methods Of levying and COL
lecting and spending the revenues, Federal,
State and municipal Upon all should be
impressed the truth that none escape the
effects Of misgovernment or maladministra-
tion Of public affairs; that every ritizen con-
tributes to the public purse; Oh t the bur-
dens OF citizenship should be eclable, and
that its responsibilities cannot safely be
shirked. They should be taught That Amer
can patriotism is not loyalty 10 idea, but
means an active interest and participation in
every public subject. from the election of the
pettiest officer to the formation Of the grav-
est DOliev of State