The record-union., 1894-04-28
DANGEROUS ERROR.


an Eastern magazine upon the common
school system of this country that are
full of errors. We have no idea who the
writer is; were she q person widely
known as q critic of American institu-
tions, her papers might have more i'm
portance. Nevertheless, even an un-
known writer who gains admission to
reputable columns is capable of sowing
the seeds of untruth to an extent difficult
to eradicate.
In this case Gertrude Buck writes upon
what many consider the popular side.
though, in fact. that is only surface in
dication, for when the true verdict of the
American people is had, it will be found
adverse to making the school system
what the esssyist would have it.
We concede, however, that there is an
apparent demand that the common
school system shall be made the pack
horse for any and every supposed need.
Thus, whenever there is raised the ques-
ton of social or industrial want and it is
felt that there is demand to be filed, the
disposition is to turn to the school sys-
tenn and introduce into it something that
in an educational way it is hoped will
meet the demand.
Gertrude Buck, for instance, speaks
with bitterness of tone that initiates
against her capacity as critic, in these
words that i'll conceal the sneer:
The American public school system is an
American knee is expected to bend, and unto
1t every loyal American voice must perpetu-
ally ascribe all honor and glory and praise.
She then proceeds to prove, to her own
satisfaction at least, that the American
school system is all wrong, snare and a
cheat, because it does not do what shs, in
common with very large body of the
people, holds it should do-ft the chill
dren "for complete living"
That is to say, the schools are not, as
abe claims they should be. because they
do not teach the child how ito earn its
own living" The schools, she holds, are
not the preparatory courses as they
should be for the home, family, work
ahop, Office, pulpit, field, eto. AS Ger
truds Buck puts 1t, "the schools give q
stone where bread is asked for; they do
not educatei they send out youth into the
world unready to meet It," and SO on,
through long chapter of complaining.
If the essayist-whose argument pro-
ceeds from false premiss-did not reflect
30 large sentiment of error. her paper
would not be worth any attention what
ever. But there are plenty of people, un-
fortunately, who run away with the same
notion that common schools are intended
to be archaeological institutes, that they
fail of their mission If they do not fit
youth to make its own living, and pre-
pare it fully to meet and grapple with the
world.
This is so false and dangerous an ides
that it must now and henceforward be
met and refuted. The public mind must
be recalled to the important fact that the
American school system was not founded
with any such end in view; that its CHIEF
aim was and is to treat the child intel
lectually. and by that means prepare fol
the State good citizenship; by the incul-
cation of knowledge along the lines oi
fundamental English branches to equip
the child sufficiently to receive the les.
sons of good citizenship, to enable 1t tc
read the laws, to comprehend its duties
to the social system and its obligations te
the political system; to put it into the
firmly beaten path that leads away from
ignorance, vice and superstition; to i'm.
plant in the young mind sufficient
knowledge of the rudimenrs of an educa.
ton in the English course, to enable II
under such conditions as may fall to its
lot. to continue in the path of intelli.
gence, virtue and good citizenship.
The school system of our country Is
UNIQUE; there is no other like it; no other
with precisely the same end and no more
An view. It was not intended, and it Ii
not part of the scheme, to fit people FOL
"complete living" 1t never was con
templated. and is not now. that it shall ii
pupils 70 be lawyers, brokers, mechanics