The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-06
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AT
FAULT

The Hon. Abram S. Hewitt, who never
speaks without saying something, deliv-
cred an address in New York a few nights
ago before a society of mechanics and
tradesmen, in which he said:
The first principle of the Constitution of
the United States is the right of an Amer
to his not interfering with the rights of
other men TO control their own actions.
Now what is the first right of an indi-
vidual? 1t is to work In any direction TO
which he may see fit to direct his energies,
and II he works he works for the purpose
OF producing Something. and that some.
thing is property. Therefore, the essence of
individual liberty is the right to property.
Now, the right to have property involves
and requires the right to organize for the
protection of property, and hence associa-
tons of both employers and those who are
recipients of wages. But the right to asso-
ciate for the protection of property does
not give the right to interfere with those
who do not choose TO associate themselves
for that purpose. This principle is abso-
United States During the last twenty
years there has been a disposition on the
part Of public men to overlook this funda-
mental principle and yield to clamor. In
other words. from being statesmen many
men in public life have become demagogues
and they have gradually stricken down in
the law the protection which was afforded
by 1T for the rights of citizens and indi-
viduals.
lHc IcSulI - TIE contest commonly Called
the conflict between capital and labor. the
most deplorable result of which is that in
timidation has become a part of the public
economy of this country. and 1T has gen.
orally got to be thought that il is right,
or may be right, for employers to exercise
force and violence, by means of lockout
and other similar appliances, to coerce
their workmen, and that ii is right for
workmen, by the use Of force, TO compel
worse than all, to interfere with other men
who are willing and DESTROYS to work.
Calling names will do no good. | see no
method Of overcoming the evil which
threatens us but TO instruct the young in
the principles of government.
This is timely and to the point. The most
alarming feature Of recent social and labor
disturbances is the utter disregard which,
in many instances, is shown for the funda-
mental principles of government and rights
of property. Within a short time there
nave been several instances of the attempt
ed seizure Of railroad trains, and only a
day or two ago Chief Sovereign, of the
Knights of Labor. threatened to tie up all
the railroad lines in Iowa unless free
transportation were furnished General"
Kelly and his followers. and for what? In
order that they may get on to Washington
to make absurd and impossible demands of
norance of the true principles of govern
ment and of the rights Of property. Mr..
Hewitt hints at the remedy in the last
sentence above quoted. Our youth must be
better instructed in the principles of gov
eminent. There should be in every public
school in the United States a class in civics
in which American boys should learn the
duties Of citizenship, the principles of gov
eminent and the rights of property. Young
men who leave school and so out in the
world without correct Information and we'll
grounded principles on these subjects become
an easy prey for the purveyors of false
doctrines. This is the weak point in our
DrlbIic school system.