The morning call., 1894-05-13
EDUCATION IN CIVlCS.

The General Society of Mechanics and
Tradesmen, which was founded in New
York in May, 1875, held meeting on May
TO place on its walls bronze tabIet in
honor of its founders. A suitable oration
was delivered by Abram S. Hewitt. mainly
on the necessity of educating young me-
chanies and artisans in 'civcs." as An
antidote to communism, anarchism and
populism He announced that steps had
been taken to give free instruction on this
theme at the Cooper Institute. and that
special chair WIS 10 be devoted to the same
study at Columbia College.
Nine-,entbs of the political heresies of
the day spring from ignorance of civics.
Men are imperfectly trained in their civic
duty, and are misled by demagogues ap-
peaing 10 their selfish interests. Knaves,
as Senator Hoar we'll said on Wednesday.
thinking more of their own political as
prations than of honesty or truth. are al
ways ready 10 pander TO any new craze
which may spring up. and public ignor-
ance is so widespread that they make con-
verts aud found parties. 1t seems extra
ordinary that it should be necessary at
the present day to demonstrate that man
has right to work in any direction to
which lie may choose to direct his ener-
gies. or that the essence of liberty ia the
right to property. But both propositions
are controverted from time to time, and
audiences do not always see how self-evi-
dent they are. That is the fruit of imper-
feet education in civcs.
The spectacle Of great fortunes creates
in many minds an impatience which among
the weak eliminates in communism.
They would cOnfiscate all property over
and above that which is required for self
support. These types of incivism forget
that it is the hope Of wealth which is the
incentive 10 a life of industry, enterprise
and honesty; and that a country which
containe no rich men would soon be bar
rem Of men with an ordinary competency.
Mr.. Hewitt told his audience the story of
Bessemer, the inventor Of Bessemer steel.
The invention was made IN 1855. and for
fifteen years 1t was derded. It's merits
were at last realized, and it was adopted
everywhere. Mr.. Bessemer has realized
S10,000,0C0 from his ratents-a large for
tune, no doubt; but Mr.. Hewitt is author
ity for the statement that the invention is
saving in this country alone a thousand
transportation. This single man-Besse-
mer-has contributed more to the wealth
of the world than the total aggregate OF
that wealth fifty years before he was born.
Yet a recent publication asserts that it
would be fair to strip him of his fortune
and to cut him down to an income of say
$4,000 year.
The idea of making the duty of the citi-
zen a special study at school and college
should commend itself 10 putlic approval.
Few studies are likely to be more impor-
tant or more useful. One of the saddest
spectacles in the world is a campaign
meeting, listening to a campaign speech.
With few exceptions. stump-speakers are
not only disingenuous and dishonest in
their treatment OF the questions of the
day, but thev are so dreadfully ignorant
of the fundamental principles OF political
science that il is pitiful to hear them.
And audiences listen 10 them IN silence,
showing they are no better informed them
selves. Now and then bright college grad
uate or professor undertakes to enlighten
he scene. But the most exhaustive knowl-
edge of science and classical learning may
be coexistent with unconsciousness of the
principles of civic duty. There are pro-
fessors at the great universities who are
mines of information on the higher
sciences and on the dead and living Ian
guages, but it does not follow that they
can see the flaws in political platforms or
the wrong which a citizen commits when
be neg ects to vote.
Horace Greeley used to say that there
were farmers in Kentucky VINO could
barely sign their names and yet whose
opinion on living political questions was
worth more than that of any college
professor he had ever met The Ken
tuckian had been used from his youth up
10 attend political meetings and to hear
political questions discussed by men of
conscience and ability. He had been edu-
Gated in civsm while the college professor
had been studying Greek roots or the diff
| ferential calculus.