The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-08-08
FDITOR'S CHAT.
What is the Use? VIII It Not Degrade
the flag?

what is the Use? VIII It Not Degrade
the Flag?
Two obstacles stand in the way of those who
vould establish patriotic teaching, and place
the fac in every school house; who would teach
National songs to the children and the daily
salute to their Nations emblem.
These obstacles come not from the people
themselves but those who stand as their repre-
Eentatives, either as trustees OF teachers.
"What is the use" is the question Of the
utiitarian, who cannot understand that it is
ideas that govern the hearts and conduct Of
men.
This is the spirit that has no thought for any
but material things; the spirit that rules the
parent who feels that his or her whole duty is
done when a child is housed and fed and taught
10 labor with his hands that he may reap selfish
rewards.
And how many bright, beautiful boys and
girls are dcgeuerating spiritually, year by
year, into sordid and selfish machines. though
externally they may give evidence Of comfort
and thrift. because they have not been taught
TO lift up their heads and their hearts into the
sunlight OF Gods perpetual calm.
For true il is that no man lives unto himself,
aud true again that the more he tries to do 1T the
Jess Of man he u.s. Whatever brings him out
of himself and inlsmes his heart with the
passion for lping Others makes him better
man, a besier citizen, better protector OF his
own rights and those OF Others.
When the utilitarian is teacher or trustee,
he finds the sum of all good in mathematics, or
manual training, In bookkeeping, or Literature.
He never rises high enough to grasp the
truth that the business of the public schools is
TO make good citizens, and that the science first
of all to be taught is the science of good Gov
eminent.
His warped and biased understanding can
never comprehend that citizenship is founded
on obedience and obedience on fealty, and that
feslty is best expressed through the symbol OF
the flag
His heart has never beat and glowed at the
sight OF the old coors flashing forth; the colors
dipped in of glory and gided with cons of
light, generated in the furnace fires OF patriotic
feeling.
That school is to be pitied whose destinies
are presided over by teacher trustee who
prides himself on teaching what he calls "prac-
fical things" neglecting the lone thing need
full I" in American citizenship.
But, exasperating as it often is to meet the
utlitarian Director it is not half so much as TO
come up against the man who fears that there
will be less veneration for the flag if it IS
ssluted every day aud constantly before the
eyes of the children.
"Will it not degrade the fag?" was the
question asked by school trustee whose in
fuence was requested in placing the flag salute
Degrade the flag? is the good God degraded
when we teach the little children to kneel
down and clasp their little hands devoutiy and
say, every night and morning: Our father
which art 10 heaven, hallowed by thy name?
How then, can the flag be degraded when
every morning the little children stand before
it and fixing their eyes on its starry folds, say:
I'VE give our heads and our hearts to God
and our country. One country, one language,
one fag"P
1t is time to stop csviling and go TO work
in earnest The flag in our hearts. in our
thoughts in our lives: this is the end aud
aim OF good American citizenship.