The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-08
WANTS A NEW DEAL.

Member Who Finds Various Objections
TO the Common school Studies.
To THE II. L. C.-There is but one
thing safe in the universe, and that is
truth. There is but one way to find the
truth, and that is by the study Of nature,
her phenomena and her laws.
by what necromstic art has man ad-
vGnced to his highly civil zed state now ?
We would answer by the study of the OBJ
jects and forces of nature. BY gathering
truth concerning them here-another
there combining he two-finding their
relation -deducting from them third,
and finally discovering some great, un-
changing law which gave him a grip on
nature. Then repeating the process
again and again. until today he holds in
cOntrole varied forces of nature and uses
them as tools. 1t il not necessary to re-
view in detail the various steps of mans
civilization from the first time that he first
used fire TO warm ms body and cook his
food on up through the ages OF stone.
bronze and iron TO the present age Of
stea.n and electricity. Suffice il 10 say
that his advancement was not brought
about by the stu of such branches as
are taught IN the com non schools of lndi-
ana soday-not brought about, in
other words, by study the work
ers OF man but by the
study OF the objects and phenomena OF
God For arithmetic Is but O system of
computation invented by man that he
might not be cheRed by his neighbors.
Grammar consists of a few rules laid
down by him for the correct speaking
and writing Of bis language. Geography,
AS USUALLY taught. is the naming lby some
uutlandish names given them by man) of
the capes, bays and gulis along certain
coast, or the location of some OF his prln-
cipal places OF abode The spelling OF
the English language is one of his inven-
lions. and is in more respects than one
"a di-grace to the inventor. Finally, his
tory 10 but a record OF the deeds of man
Lis tuumphs aud defeats his conquesis
and discoveries 1t Is upon such studies
A. these that the entire time time of the
teachers and pupils of the common schOo 2
OF our state IL spent. while the great text
book OF nature written in the Child's YER
nHcular-the beautiful language of living
facts and visible forms-is passed un-
needed rs unworthy of their time
and attention. And not only
are all facts and principles
learned thus from the books OF man, but in
many. perhaps he y ajority vi our common
schools, you will find teachers who believe
that memory is everything, that reason,
thorough digestion OF principles and sym
metrical intellectual development are
nothing. You will find that the rules in
certain erithemEtio. the definitions in a
certain grammar. the statements In a GER
tain history. are laid down as imm utabs
laws beyond which the inquisitivs mind of
~ "a L., Il N.s. H.. q l.
chow" TO be king, and the "whv" To be
banished to the realms of forbidden lore
Subjected 10 such a system of instruction is
II any wonder that so many American
youth step forth from the common schools
with lack OF habits Of close observation I,
a lack of desire 10 search after truth for
truths sake; a willingness 20 accept I'M
questioned the ideas and opinions OF so
called lenders-a serviitv 10 authority
nowhere more palpably shown than at the
polls where thousands OF men vote AZ mere
machines and not as intelligent human
beings2
There il a remedy and a simple one
Revise the curriculum Of tho common
schools; not by banlshing wholly any one
Of the eight branches taught therein. but
by lessening. at least one-half. the amount
taught OF some Of them and by the sub
stitution OF the elements OF five of the
natural sciences - namely Physics,
chemistry, botany, zoology and geology.
With such branches introduced into
our common schools, much prevailing
egoism and superstition would be de.
stroyed. Too many people are but chill
dren still. and think that their horizon
comprehends al things. that their own.
little daily round is the center of the
world. A more general study Of nature
would subvert this view and cause man
TO rise 10 higher planes of vision.
There seems to be a diAision as TO the
question of dictory in our club. / wonld
deem il proper acquisition. For what
is the use of having an organization such
as ours without knowing the names OF the
members thereof? And If IL is composed
of members OF questionable character
(which hope there is none) the sooner
found out the better as is slammed. birds
of feather flock together" And as for
being imposed upon by designing persons
the thought is falacious, and II any are
go timid they needn't have connected
their names Herewith.
'Tycho," was well pleased with your
contribution. Burns" and a host of
Others. why do you not contribute to the
page p WALDO"
Curtisvlle. Ind. Feb. %.