The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-07-29

-SnoS!c- Allowing tIat al haMenauleu3,
Lahainaluns and Hilo there have been !
"a many more that should be graded |
with these, and We have "A total OF 200 in |
all the schools in the kingdom TO whom |
this course OF instruction is open, or two I
per cent. of the school children of the |
country. But even OF these. less than !
one-fourth reach the advanced classes !
where this subject is placed. 50 that We |
may safely say that not over one hall per |
cent. OF the children in all our schools re-
ceive direct instruction in the principles !
OF government or the duties pertaining TO
citizenship. while 99is per cent. pass
through their school experiences un-
instructed, and go 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-goverument can
be maintained only through self-control
and selt-restraint, /. e., a 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 IL they come, or the quiet fulfil
ment of duty at all times.
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 10 the best equip
ment of the citizen. But if Hawaii is to
maintain an autonomy OF its own; ii 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. l. 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 wit
ness, and in a simple way the elemen-
tary principles OF our government. 1t is
a pleasure to chronicle that 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, il
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 readingbcoks in which
shall be found, together with other selec
tons, stories that pertain to life here
: treating of the history, romance anC
heroes OF this people, bringing to the
thought of the child that which shall
identity it with its own land rather thar
/ with the life of a nation two Thousand
,, miles across the ocean. A history is al
l ready nearly completed which will be in
valuable in it's influence in this direction
l am sure it will stimulate to patriotism
i. e., a love of ones own country, ant
2 this is one OF the most essential element
8 of good citizenship. But to love one
j, country, the country must be worthy O
love. This is prime requisite. Ar
there any present who have IN keepin,
e the making or the execution of the law
4 of this land, remember, then, that if yo
i would have the rising generation lover
+. of their country, they must have
S country upon which love may be worth
G ly bestowed! But, even if this is done
e there is still a great difficulty to be me
!, and overcome. A very large percentag
e of our teachers have been, and will con
Il tinue to be, reared under other flags
e having given and probable continuin
!: to give their allegiance TO other lands.
II How can they teach patriotism 70
| Hawaii nafo ha orf,,
d indeed, unless the land OF their labors
|, one which they can honor and learn +
o love; one that by its just and righteou
d laws, by its economic and wise admins
8 tration of the government, by it's uI
It right and clean-handed officials compel
# an admiration of this little island king
n dom that is as deep and strong and cap
e tivating for the man or woman win
d comes to teach your children, as is tn
), charm of your valleys nesting anon
= these hills and mountains that are carve
and chiselled into such lines of grace an
|, | beauty as no other hills and mountain
II know over which is flung a mantle G
e almost perpetual green, while all is en-
d swathed in an atmosphere OF such soft
u ness and sweetness as to complete
'r picture the like of which the sun look
It down upon in no other land.
j. This claims unhesitating and absolut
l. admiration; the character of your gov
r, eminent should do the same Thi
:, would be ideal, it is true. But there i
is no good and sufficient reason why such
Is condition OF things might not be realize
IS none, at least, except the lack OF goo
e citizenship among our people to-day
s But if the ideal cannot be realized now
r all the more need to work towards il
and that at once.
e ITO he Continued \