Omaha daily bee., 1890-05-04
THE SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM
An Element Necessary to the Preservation
Of American Institutions,
THE LATENT INSTINCT OF LOYALTY
Prominent Educators Present Their
Views on the Needs of Politi-
cal Education of the Youth
of the Nation,
Prepared for The Bee.


There has never been time in the history
of this country when the public mind has
been so deeply stirred as it is just now over
the rights and duties involved in American
citizenship, including such related questions
as the publication of the ballot, the restric-
ton of immigration and the preservation of
our peculiarly American institutions. These
considerations give force and pertinence to
the question whether our common schools
and other institutions of learning have paid
rs much attention as they ought to practical
instruction in the specific duties of citizen
ship. Does not the future good of the coun-
try demand that more attention shall be paid,
not only in the schools, but in the homes
of the people, to the development and
cultivation of spirit of true patriotismi The
rising generation must be taught that an
American citizenship means something more
than the perfunctory exercise of the rights of
franchise now and then, the mere casting of n
piece of paper in a ballot box or an occasional
spasm of patriotic feeling on national holi-
days. 1t has a larger and deeper meaning
than this, and it is the duty of all who are
intrusted with the education of the young to
make this meaning clear. With the idea of
emphasizing the Importance of this subject,
THE BEE has sought the views of num-
ber of well known American educators, whose
replies are herewith given. The first to
speak is Katharine Conan, professor of his
tory and economics in Wellesley college:
MEASURE or SELF DEFENSE.
Prof Conan says: One who watches with
apprehension the tide of immigration flowing
into our great cities can not hesitate to give
an emphatic assent to your question whether
our schools should not endeavor to foster the
spirit of patriotism Statistics prove to us
that this immigration is increasing in volume
and degenerating in character, and that its
| tendency is toward the cities. The majority
| Of the children in the public schools of the
| seaboard and manufacturing towns are OF
| foreign blood, Many of them know little of
our language and nothing of those interests
| which should be most dear to an American
| citizen.
The study of history and civics win go far
| toward awakening intelligent pride in our
| country and its institutions. Dry details
must be avoided and the words presented in
| as graphic fashion as possible The Old
| South historical lectures, aiming as they do
! to interest the school boys and girls in the
] past history of Boston and to show them its
bearing on the present aud the future fur
| nish a very good example of what can be
| done in this direction.
The presentation of American flags to the
| ward schools of Boston has been more than "a
| pleasant courtesy on the part of the donors
/ Iie nearly IfnloiSt VI VIC IVY bl1A NANANoS
| to the stirring of that latent instinct Of
| loyalty, which need not be learned or logical
in order 10 be capable OF heroism and self
| sacrifice. CATHERINE CONAN.
| Wellesley, Mass.
THE PRIMARY AIM.
| II should be the primary aim OF ali system
| attic training 10 qualify FOR citizenship. To
| make certain this result the schools and
| higher institutions OF learning must train the
| young 10 become intelligent voters, fair
minded iurymen upright judges, discreet
| aud honest Legislators and iuCOrruptible ex-
| ecutiVe officers.
| With these great results in prospect. the