Evening star., 1886-11-27


From the Chicago News
To every one who gives the subject the atten.
tion its direct bearing upon the stability of the
republic deserves, the absence Of anything like
instruction in such public virtues as patriotism
and political morality in our public schools
must give occasion to grave nlisgivings. In the
reading and literature Of the public schools
American child to become familiar with the
stirring epoch of his country's history. He
learns enough OF the stories OF the revolution
and the rebellion-of the patriotism which
founded the republic in 1776 ana that pre-
served the nation in 1861. OF the great deeds
and sacrifices OF the fathers and conserva-
tors 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
Intelligence, Watchfuness and worth OF its cit
lzens-he is lett in ignorance or TO the chance
schooling of political discussions at home or
the misleading utterances OF partisan shibbo-
leths i'll the public press.
1t has long been evident to observers OF pub
lie affairs that the graduates OF our American
free schools take less active and effective inter.
est in their conduct than the halfeducated or
wholly ignorant foreigners who bring to this
country tile passions and prejudices born under
the class systems Oh the Old World. The native
American chiid's mind is turned away from
the study OF those things that would make him
a good citizen first, 10 the acqurement OF the
knowledge necessary to make him successful
business man. He is taught business from the
that in his maturity he is indifferent to his
duties as citizen. 1t is the result of his early
training that has given such force to the para
dOx, THE best citizens often the worst citi-
zens." All the evil influences in society are
active and enthusiastic in their relations to
politics. The educated, the best-eQuipped vOt-
ers are too often and too universally Indifferent
to their high responsibility. When some great
emergency arises they arouse themselves to
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
deinagosues who pander to ignorance or the
activity of un-AinericaniZcd voters.
The remedy tor this condition OF affairs rests
with the public schools. In these boys and girls
should early be taught the relations OF the in-
dividual American to his government They
should be taught 10 take IN interest in all ques-
tons affecting the duties OF citizenship, the
methods of levying and collecting and spending
the revenues, federal, state ana municipal
Upon all should be impressed the truth that
none escape the effects OF misgoverrment or
nlaladministration OF public affairs; that every
citizen contributes to the public purse; that the
burdens OF citizenship should be equable and
that its responsibilities cannot safely be shirked
They should be taught that American patriot
ism is not loyalty TO an idea, but means an ac.
tive interest and participation in every public
subject, from the election OF the pettiest officer
10 the formation of the gravest policy of state.