Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-12

AN ANTIDorE FOR DEsIAGOGUEs
AND BLATHERSKITES-
The Inttr-Oeean in speaking Of the issue
at the Chicago stock yards says:
The danger in all this matter is that for
a good many years blatherskites and DEM
agOgues and superficial socialists have
been talking treason to ignorant men until
they are peryaded by the idea
that il is the privilege of the citizen to
settle questions Of law for himself, and
that he commits no offense against law or
the government when he talks rebellion
and treason openly among his fellows.
IL ia time that all this should be stopped.
The influence of this talk OF men who as
sumo to speak as if by authority must be
overcome gradually. 1t can be best over
come by the simple means Of spreading
inflammation as to our Constitution and
laws among the people There are men
who have made studies Of the labor ques-
ton and who are competent to speak on
these problems, and none can deny that
they are problems that demand the earnest
attention of all patriotic men, In SELL
nrotection society should send rs many
men rs possible, well equipped for the
nnrpose. among the disconnected, and let
them speak in earnestness and truth oi
remedial measures without talking dlSloy-
alty 10 the government, and without
preaching the destruction Of society.
Herein lies the chief source Of trouble IN
our great cities and the remedy suggested
by the Iuter-Ocedn is worth more than
passing notice. Where large bodies oil
men. massed together rs they are IN chi
cago, have little or no knowledge Of the
principles of our government or the laws
of political economy and are LETT to be ed
ueated and preyed upon By the agitators,
they will always be n menace to the laws
and to society. And it will only be
question of which is stronger, the law
abiding people, or the ignOraat dlScon-
tented mass, that will determine whether
the laws are TO rule or anarchy run rot.
The State can not instruct these men
through the public schools, rs they can
no longer be reached in that way. Here
is a good field for the State and for phllan-
thropists to send men, among the masses
whose minds have been poisoned by Dlath-
arskites and sOcialistic agitators, to eN-
plain to them the principles OF our govern
ment and of political economy. 1t would
be 4 great deal better TO do this than 10
wait till eOnspiratOis and agitators have
moved them 10 violence and then have 10
educate them under the pOliceman's club,
or at tn, muzzle of the militiamans rifle.
Then there is another thing that Is
worth thinking Of Every State IN the
Union spends many thousands OF dollars
annually in educating the youth. 1t Is
expected this education will make them
better citizens; and so it does, to some ex-
tent But there is scarcely State where
the most important part OF the education
that citizen should have is not almost
entirely iguored-that is, instruction IN the
principles of State and national govern
ment and of economies. The great ma
iority who attend our public schools finish
their education with the partial mastery
of few of the common branches, and
leave school with but little more
knowledge OF this great free government
of ours and the laws that
govern the production, distribution and
consumption of wealth, than the ignorant
anarchist who threatens to overthrow
society. The majority Of men educated IN
common schools never pursue their
studies further, and are left to get their
knowledge of politics aud eco9,Smics from
political demagogues.
Why is it that the State in seeking to
educate its youth to make good citizens,
omits that instruction which is OF all most
important that citizens should possess:
, In the public schools OF West Virginia
which will compare fayorably with thos'
of our sister States, perhaps not one out
of every ten ever pays any attention tc
these subjects.
Every State should have a good text
book adopted, on these subjects and from
, the time pupils enter the school at the az,
, of six till their public school career l.
:, ended, these principles should he taught
them.
When the State does this, the occupa
ton of the political demagogne and the
:, sOcialistic agitator will be gone, or at least
will fall into contemplate decrepitude.