The Hawaiian gazette., 1890-08-05

with these, and we have total OF 200 in
all the schools in the kingdom to whom
this course OF instruction is open, or tive
per cent. OF the school children Of the
country But even OF these, less thar
one-fourth reach the advanced classes
where this subject is placed, so that We
may safely say that not over one-half pei
cent of the children in all our schools re-
ceive direct instruction in the principles
of government or the duties pertaining tC
citizenship, while 99@ per cent. pass
through their school experiences un-
instructed, and 60 out to assume, in
time, the duties and responsibilities OF
the citizen with no special preparation
for them, and having little conception
that representative self-government can
be maintained only through self-control
and self-restraint, i. e., q rigorous govern
ment of self. | speak tonight for such a
| broadening of our courses of study as
shall bring to the children of these lower
grades, and thus to the great majority of
the coming citizens such instruction as
will ballast them for the storms of politi-
cal life if they come, or the quiet fulfil
ment of duty at all times.
l plant myself upon the principle that
one OF the highest duties of the state is to
educate its children for citizenship. |
would not drop reading. writing, arith-
metic, language or geography from the
courses of study for knowledge of these
branches is essential to the best equip.
ment of the citizen. But if Hawaii is to
maintain an autonomy OF its own; if in
the clash and conflict of races which are
to come this is to be preserved, We must
bestir ourselves and inaugurate such
changes as shall give positive instruction
in morals. i. e., in honesty, truthfulness,
| temperance or Self-control, obedience,
commercial honor, business integrity
| and chastity; We must also teach love of
| country, respect for law and the officers
OF the government, the nature and pur-
! pose of the oath administered to a wit
ness, and in simple way the elemen-
tary principles OF our government. 1t is
pleasure to chronicle that a movement
| in this direction has already beer COM
menced by the Board of Education, in
the circular issued during the past year
to its teachers, calling their attention to
the intent of the school law in some of
these matters, saying that these subjects
may and should be taught by precept,
illustration and example" This is good
so far as it goes, but it does not seem to
me TO GO far enough. Hawaii owes it to
herself to make positive instruction in
these subjects and others which have
named obligatory in her schools. And, if
it is necessary to the teaching of these
subjects, | am not sure but that she is
able to- and would be justified in prepar-
ing series OF textbooks to accomplish
the end, such as reading-books in which
shall be found, together with other selec-
tons, stories that pertain to life here,
treating of the history, romance and
thought of the child that which shall
identify it with its own land rather than
with the life of a nation two thousand
miles across the ocean. A history is al
ready nearly completed which will be in
valuable in its influence in this direction.
| am sure it will stimulate to patriotism,
i. e., a love OF ones own country, and |
this is one OF the most essential elements |
of good citizenship. But to love ones |
country, the country must be worthy of |
love. This is prime requisite. Are |
there any present who have IN keeping |
the making or the execution OF the laws |
of this land, remember, then, that if you |
would have the rising generation lovers |
of their country, they must have a |
country upon which love may be WORTH |
ly bestowed! But, even if this is done,
there is still great difficulty to be met |
and overcome. A very large percentage |
of our teachers have been, and will con-
tinue to be, reared under other flags,
having given and probable continuing
to give their allegiance to other lands.
How can they teach patriotism for
Hawaii nei? 1t must be perfunctory,
indeed, unless the land OF their labors is
one which they can honor and learn to
love; one that by its just and righteous
laws, by its economic and wise admins
tration of the government, by its up
right and clean-handed officials compels
an admiration of this little island king
dom that is as deep and strong and cap
tivating for the man or woman who
comes to teach your children, as is the
charm of your valleys nesting among
these hills and mountains that are carved
and chiselled into such lines OF grace and
beauty as no other hills and mountains
know; over which is flung mantle of
almost perpetual green, while all is en-
swathed i'll an atmosphere of such soft
ness and sweetness rs to complete a
picture the like of which the sun looks
down upon in no other land.
This claims unhesitating and absolute
the character of your gov
should do the same. This
would be ideal, it is true. But there is
no good and sufficient reason why such
condition of things might not be realized
none, at least, except the lack of good
among our people to-day.
But if the ideal cannot be realized now,
all the more need 10 work towards it,
and that at once.
"The want of education for citizenship {
burdens society with inefficiency and {
with unnecessary debt and
.axation; with sorrow and shame and I
anxious forebodings for the future;
These words were written for another y
and, but they are as true of Hawaii, as {
,hough written-for us. Is it too much to {
lsk and insist that your teachers shall s
instruct: by precept and not annul 6
hat teaching by example? Why not '
insist that they teach patriotism as truly i
Is they teach language and mathema-
ioS9 II naed NOT silence inst criticism I