The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-08-15
TRAINING IN PATRIOTISM.

America-An Object Lesson in the EIe.
mentary Training of American Children
| in Civics.
TRAINING IN PATRIOTISM.
The late Col George T. Balch. of New York
who was the originator Of the flag salute in the
schools, aud gave his work to Frank Bellamy
when he was getting up the program for the
Columbian School Exhibition, formulated 8
of civics to school children.
With Capt. Wallace Foster of Indianapolis
ho was in constant correspondence, and when
Col. Balch died it was upon Capt Foster his
mantel fell.
Mrs. Bsch placed COL Bach's entire work
| in Capt. Fosters hands, including the Declare
ton of Independence Chart and Patriotic
| Primer.
Capt. Foster has had the descriptive text OF
the Declaration Chart revised and the chart
| printed and is now prepared to issue the chart,
ready for framing, at 40 cents, or mounted
with roller and molding for hanging, sides
bound with muslin, at 80 cents.
In strong and well. considered paper Col.
Balch thus outlines the object lesson that may
be taught to school children through the aid
of the Declaration of Independence Chart:
Loyal American Ideals.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF JULY
4, 1776, CONSIDERED AS AN OBJECT LESSON
IN THE ELEMENTARY TRAINING OF AMERI-
CAN CHILDREN IN CIvICs.
IL We a people sincerely desire to have our
children educated that they will grow up to be.
come Intelligent. lawabiding, public spirited cii-
Gems, loyal to American ideas and ideals, il becomes
first and imperative duty to that from their
earliest youth they are afforded not only the op-
DnftnnltN hpppminO a
cples which form the foundation of our Govern
ment and of our free institutions, to the wise and
unrestricted exercise ofwhioh can be traced directly
the prosperity and greatness of this Nation, but
that they shall thoroughly understand and believe
in them.
To begin such a system of patriotic education at
the bottom 1t should be kept clearly in mind that
American political system is constructed upon
basis entirely different from that Of the mother
country" or any other country on the face of the
giobei that the very essence and vitality of this
system is comprehended In the principle formu-
lated In the opening words OF the Declaration OF
Independence that " all men are created equal"
Political cynics for century have referred to
this expression as glittering generality" never
iheless a distinguished modern historian, whose
opinion above others Americans should respect,
has said that what air aud water are 10 man.
human equality is to the life of the Republic" TO
the patriotic American civil equality is the touch
stone OF r true political faith.
The Declaration of independence is political
document. Its opening sentences present sue
cinct statement of political principles only. The
equality TO which il refers is neither physical men,
tai, moral social. but sn equality only so far
" all men" members of the civil society,
equal before the law 10 which all are to be obedent,
equal in that highest development OF such a soci-
ETY. in which all its members live in consonance
with the great law of humanity, each for all and
all for esch.''
The great principle, therefore is absolutely OPP
posed aud antagonistic to that spirit of caste which
leads directly to and encourages those class dis
tinctions. aid that class excusiyeness iHseparably
associated with. and which distinguishing
features Of, every other form of Government.
So long racial languages and customs, class
distinctions and the dogmstisin of creeds are fos-
tered and maintained. SO long will the objects and
ultimate end of good Government be correspond
ingy defeated or postponed; while, conversely, as
race. class and seotarian jealouses and preju-
dices soften or disappear, the harmonious unfca-
ton OF the whole body of the people--of the Ma
tioH-witb all it's attendant advantages, will grow
stronger and more perfect.
This political principle finds its complete pres
sion IN that most characteristic oil American inst-
tutions, the public schoothe school Of the people;
that school where the sons and daughters of
American citizens, no matter what their native
country, matter what the color of their skin.
matter what their religion, whether they are
poor or rich meet on common and neutral ground,
taught respect the rights and opinions of their
associates, and so are trained and educated for the
great duties. responsibilities. and privileges of
American citize nship.
In a Government of the people. by the people,
for the people" where the State - is simply the
people, education by the State is political neces-
sity hence In the United States elementary
education concerned, the public school system IL
the only one strictly compatible and ia touch with
this principle of civil equality all Others in spirit
in fact, foster caste and hence alien and
American
William Won Humboldt. one of the most dis
tinguished OF German educators. has said that
" whntever we wish to see introduced in the life
OF Nation must first be introduced In the life of
lis schools" In view of this educational AXIOM
and of what has been stated of the relation of the
principle Of political equality to the character Of
our Government and TO the duties of an American
citizen living under and being loyal 10 that Gov
eminent, two most imperative duties growing out
of such relations seem to be clearly indicated.
These are:
l. The duty of every faithful parent of every
loyal citizen. OF every patriotic American, 10 see
that the children IN our public schools have tile
opportunity, never enjoyed by their predecessors
OF becoming familiar with the principles set forth in
the great charter of our liberties through COPY
hung in every school-house where its FORM words
and courageous spirit may become familiar 10
all; and
2 The duty OF every teacher In these schools TO so
instruct the children in the principles therein
forth. and their practical application their daily
life, that upon leaving school every pupil shall not
only thoroughly understand but believe them.
Such are the considerations which led me 10 edit
and publish fac-simile in every detail Of the org
nal manuscript engrossed velium Of THE
unanimous Declaration of the IL United States Of
America" promulgated to the world by the Com
tinental Congress July 4, 1916, now preserved in
the Library of the State Department at Washing.
ton, d. c.
The text as reproduced Is the exact dimensions of
the original; wiz 1874 inches In width by 80 inches
in hight, and is followed or the same sheet by an
Journals of the Continental Congress" printed in
great primer and plea type that II can he read
easily at a distance Of six feet.
In this history briefed the circumstances
which suggested the idea OF preparing "a declars-
ton OF principles, etc; the course OF official action
which led TO the adoption by Congress of the in
strument In the form Of which ii has come down TO
u.s. aad the conditions under which it signed
by the representatives Of the United Colonies.
The dimensions Of the whole Chart, Unframed
arc "a inches in hight by 70 inches in width
There have been several reproductions of The
Declaration" in the course of the last 50 years
but this 10 the first time that official history OF
the document has formed a part of any edition.
and been made conveniently accessible to the
reader of that noble State paper.
The millions Of children who have heretofore
been educated In our schools. never had the great
privilege of seeing the Declaration in its original
FORM For the first time. therefore, ia the history
of our Government, the youth Of this Nation have
the opportunity presented them not only of seeing
the great Charter OF liberties just as il was
signed by the So representatives of the ID Colonies
who. as Benjamin Franklin remarked at the time
~ would hang separately, II they did not hang to.
geiher. but OF having before them the same
sheet the veritable history Of the venerable docu-
ment.
When IL is borne In mind that revolt against the
Government OF Great Britain was treason. and
that in that day. proved by many cruel
examples, the penalty OF treason confiscaton
OF all worldly possessions attainder of blood hang
ing. accompanied by beheadng, disen boweling,
cutting out the heart and quaTterinR the body of
the traitor, in accordance with the savage penal
code of a brutal age, we can better understand
how deep Is the Significance OF the language i'm
which, ia subscribing TO the Nation IS title deed
those courageous representatives thereby pledged
their lives their fortunes and their sacred honor
To the cause they had espoused.
With a knowledge Of these facts and with the
sign manuals OF those noble men ever before them,