The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-07-11
PATRIOTISM IN THE SCHOOLS.
What President Andrews Told the
Teachers About Ii.

SARATOGA, n. Y, July 10-This even
ing's session of the American Institute of
Instruction opened with instrumental music,
songs by the Temple and Ladies' Schubert
quartettes, and reading by Professor John
Matteson. The lecture of the evening was
delivered by President E. Benjamin An
drews of Brown University, on Patriotism
and the Public schools. He said: All will
agree that patriotism is very important
quality, that the public schools can be made
greatly to promote 1t, and that they may of
right be employed for this purpose; nay,
must be so employed. The great question
is, How can such a benefcent result be
brought about? How can the public in
struction, which SO many of us are engaged
In imparting, be made te minister In the best
way to patriotic sentiment and purpose in
our pupils?
We err if we expect to attain this end to
any great or helpful extent by Fourth of
July oratory or by the purchase or raising of
flags according to the pleasant fashion now
so in vogue Indeed, fear that there is
some danger in our day Lest the United
States flag become a feticb/ AS the wearing
of cross cannot constitute a man Chris
tian, simply to fly the flag over our school
houses will never by itself make as staunch
devotees of our nations cause. OF as little
avail Is it to inculcate partisan or sec
tional spirit, or to make boys and girls be-
lieve that the life of the nation depends up
on the prevalence of this or that particular
policy. From all such special pleas more is
to be feared than hoped Nor do we gain
aught by overlooking the vices which attach
to our politics and to our distinguished citi-
zens, past or present, or by portraying our
country's possibilities and virtues as greater
than they are, either absolutely or in COM
parison with those of other nations, or by be-
littling or denying the dangers with which
our political outlook is beset. To make JEFF
ferson, or Franklin, or even Washington. a
demigod, is bad. Do not lie about old Fed
eralists, Democrats or Wings, either in SLAM
der or in id0latry. 1t will not profit.
We. shall best promote patriotism in
schools and scholars:
1. By recognizing fully and continually
that it is part of the business of the publ;
school to make good citizens. Under our
theory of government. the public school does
not exist for the sake Of any man or men. but
to perfect each pupils civic character; be-
cause without education he cannot be per.
fectly safe, or useful member of the body
polite. Only when this is understood and
emphasized can we defend our school sys-
tenn from the common charge of being social
istic. Only so can we show clear right to
tax for the purpose OF public education. I'm
press upon pupils that our schools exist for
a public purpose. and that they fail as
public schools save as they subserve this
purpose. Each will then tend to refer every
blessing which he derives from the school to
the state, and so to become more enthusias-
tic citizen.
2. BY teaching in the schools more and
better lessons. touching the theory, the facts
and the duties of our civic life. As to theory,
we need to insist more than has yet been
done that government is a necessary good,
not necessary evil. Infinite misconception
still prevails upon this point. How can
ing of the state so meaniy as
many do, and as our fathers Of
the revolutionary epoch quite unani
mously did! Evils gather about our politi-
cal life, of course, and they are to be unspar-
ingly denounced. But accursed indeed must
be the state. if such can be imagined, which
would not be infinitely superior to anarchy.
Not a man among us duly appreciates the
blessings derived and to be derived from the
civil order about him. As 10 facts, we ought
more on the history Of liberty in early and
in modern times; upon the slow growth and
the cost of liberty, and especially upon the
career OF free government in our own land;
the rise of the United States into single po-
litical power, the revolutionary war, and the
creation, adoption and preservation of our
Federal Constitution. And as to duties, let
us point out not only the obligatoriness Of
activity in politics, but the possibility and
tne ne duty Of honest participation in political
once. For many of us regular and honest
voting does not discharge our whole duty to
the state. A political career should be
looked upon as something to be openly
sought and asplred to by any properly quail
from party friends.
AT the business meeting Ray Green HUI
ing of New Bedford, was elected president
for the ensuing year.
Church and School.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, July 10.-The National
Educational Association today elected VIII
liam r. Garrett of Nashville. Tenn, presi-
dent. NJ G. Fernald Of Orono, Me-, is one
qf the vice presidents; is:;retsrH - H. Cooke, New
Greenwood. Kansas City, No, treasurer
The first subject of the morning was Com
pulsory Laws and Their enforcement"
Archbishop Ireland of st. Paul read the first
paper on 1.-THE State School and the Parish
School; is Union between Them Impossi-
ble?" Oscar Fl. Cooper, state superlntend-
ent Of schools in Texas read paper on the
same general subject. Mr.. Cooper holds
that compulsory education laws contravene
onment of American Institutions viz the