Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-03-16
Should The Teacher be Politician


THE following paper on the above subject was
read by Mr.. W:B. Lucas, at the teachers meeting
| at Hoisington, March II, 1881
am aware of the fact that there is
general prevailing impression among
people, or a certain class of people
rather, that teachers should not NEEDLE
with politics. And let me say right
here without any fear of successful con-
tradiction, that this certain class of
people are composed largely OF Office
seekers, and certain other disgruntled
politicians, who always raise a great
hue and cry over politics themselves,
but will bitterly resent such actions
from a teacher.
| Now l am not inclined to be pessi.
MYSTIC on this subject. A teacher should
not be political crank; further, he
should not make whole sale display of
his political belief. He ought not to be
guilty of any loud boastful, or slandrous
talk upon the subject of politics in
public; but l do most emphatically and
avowedly assert that the teacher has
certain inalienable rights along with
other people, of like and kindred profess
sions. that must be respected by all in
telligent, and liberty loving people;
especially so in this enlightend day and
age of the world. And if at any time
bis politics be questioned, he has per-
feet right to uphold ard defend the
same. / believe that every citizen
should keep himself thoroughly posted
concerning the principles and workings
of the great political parties; otherwise.
he can not possibly cast an honest. or
Intelligent ballot.
believe that a teacher should not
teach politics in his school, that is, he
should not allow his pupils to discuss
politics in the school. 1t has tendency
to create hard feelings among pupils; it
invariably calls forth a decision from
the teacher. And let the teacher once
make a decision of that kind and in a
short time every one in the district will
be gossippiDg about it.
Yes, the teacher should be a Politi
clan in the strictest sense of the word;
but, let it not be known in his school.
Ministers are politicians, just think of
it, will you; think of the enormity of
their crime; yet nobody says anything
Lot - oh
How about the teacher? Let him
say word on politics and people are
at once ready to condemn him, as
worthless, trihing, and unfit for the
profession in which he is engaged.
Now while the teacher is supposed to
be an example of morality, the minister
is supposed to be model of purity; in
fact, of all that is high and ennobling.
Now l will leave it to your judgement
which profession is most seriously eff
fected by politics-the ministerial or
that of the teacher. The conclusion is
this: If other professional class deal in
politics, let US not deny the same right
to the teacher. have already stated
that a teacher should not introduce
} politics into his school, but should try
and cultivate taste for political litera.
ture, it makes very good supplementary
reading, especially for advanced pupils,
and if we are to educate for citizenship
we must work along this line. To be a
good citizen means to have a thorough
knowledge and understanding of the
constitution as well as the principles
upon which the great political parties
are founded.
: Yes, let US educate for citizenship,
t and pray who is better prepared to do
: this work than the teacher? The poll.
tics of the teacher should be pure and
undefled. He should be the means of
purifying politics by setting a good ex-
ample himself. Purity in politics is of
as much necessity as purity in religion.
This would guarantee us honest elce-
t tons, honest, faithful, and efficient Off
GERS. such only will apply. BY all means
let the teacher be politician; lis infu-
ence along this line is power for good.
and the sooner we educate to this end
the quicker will we get the desired re-
suits.
The chief trouble in our govern
mental affairs to day is caused by a
, lack of politicians. Il mean that class
of politicians who make politics a
study.) If we had more, and better
politics of this class, we would not have
the present strife, and dissension IN
a political affairs that exists to day. For
z example, take the youth of today who
are being rapidly ushered into public
life, and note the existing condition.
How many of them will be really good
citizens? There seems to be lack of
interest along this line in both teacher
and pupil. Let US teach our pupils to
be true, loyal citizens; therefore they
| will r, Ia GOOD politicians. good politi-