The Portland daily press., 1889-07-12
THE SCHOOL IN POLITICS.
PaperlBefore the American institute
Of instruction.

BETHLEHEM, N. H., July 11.-At today's
struction, Hon. Thos. B. Stockwell. State
Commissioner of Rhode Island, delivered an
address on the political Function of the
Public Schools" saying:
The public school exists for the State. The fact
ssp nndr
tablishes the closest relationship between the
two. Underlying every theory of public educa-
stitutlons is indlssolubly connectedwfth the edu-
cation Of the people.
Both public and private schools contribute in
There are direct and specific duties which they
may discharge and which the public school Is
bound to recognize. Tne first Is that of inculcat-
democracy. such as, that rights involve duties
that liberty is freedom under law, not outside of
it that obedience is the chief corner stone.
teacher, his discipline and his class work. The
playground Is especially adapted to this work. for
there the children more fully reveal their true ma
ture, and the teacher stands in better rela-
tons for affecting motives, and so m0ldng charac-
ter. Moreover, the playground Is mimic world,
where some motives and purposes meet and strug-
gle as in after life. The recess Is one OF the most
valuable means for instructing in these efundamen-
tai truths.
The three-told nature of all our forms Of gov
ernment, legislative, executive and judicial should
be clearly set forth before the children. Trial by
jury needs to be explained 10 our boys that they
may lift it out Of the disrespect into which 1t has
generally:fallen. The care and conduct of delib-
eratiye or legislative assemblies demand practi-
cal consideration. All Of these call for such treat
ment in the daily routine OF school life as shall
give to the pupil both theoretical and practi-
cal knowledge of the institutions Of the country.
The last demand is that OF kindling genuine
patriotism in the hearts OF the pupils. It is the
nerve OF successful effort This Is Il be secured
by more liberal use Of patriotic songs, by use of
more declamations upon patriotic themes, and by
study Of our history.
Mr.. Stockwelps paper was discussed by
Hon. j. w. Peterson of New Hampshire.
Among other things he said:
The demand for schools to assimilate the hete-
country by millions IS SO per cent greater than i at
the birth OF the nation. More than half OF our
people are immigrants, or the descendants of fam
lies planted here since the adoption of the Con-
sttution, and know little OF the marvellous history
in which lt originated, except as they learn it In
the schools. Our national danger in this direction
Is imminent. These swarming multitudes must
in the heroism and wisdom that characterize the
annals of the republic. They must learn to know
the government and to cherish the spirit that pre-
sides over its deStneS.
The English speaking people seem destined in
time to become the controlling power of the world
and at no distant day hundred or more millions
of this number will be found here, and their infu-
m be 81
and character. The education of the American
people must foreshad0w the nature OF their own
domestic institutions and predetermine the meas
ures and character of their power over the af-
fairs and conditions of men in future ages and
other lands.
The closing meeting of the series was held
this evening" when Senator Blair spoke on
National Aid to Education" defending the
common school bill.