The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-16
TIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Lecture at East winaham by Levi Tur-
ner, Esq.

which the Public Schools Owe the State
and for nearly two hours held the closets
attention of his audience. He began by
saying If we would seek to ascertain the
true sources of those dominant moral and
intellectual influences, which are destined
to shape the character of this nation.
during the next twenty years of Its
history in the dawn and morning of the
twentieth century, as we'll as those that
tend to hasten its degeneration and de-
cay, we must 60 to Its public schools and
there learn how five hundred and fifty
thousand teachers are moulding and
directing the habits and forming the
characters of fifteen millions of children
to fit themselves for their duties and obli-
cations as American citizens. The future
OF our country rests largely with the pub
Tic schools, in which should be taught
more OF true patriotism. Our forefathers
gave us the standard for true patriotism.
Are we living up to that Standard
Our national holidays are now used for
recreation and the principles upon which
ene nation was founded was seldom
heard. To remedy this we must look to
our public schools.
we also must look to them mainly for
the Inspiration of those principIes and
IDEAS which shall develop into loyal senti-
menu. The American system of public
sclools mas Tor Its cornerstone the preser-
Walton of our republican institutions.
ihls cannot be kept too closely before the
mind OF every one connected with school
work. Whatever tends TO foster love of
country, and appreciation of good gov
eminent, correct understanding of our
institutions should be near the heart of
every earnest teacher.
Inc basal structure upon which our
system OF schools was founded is that the
prime purpose of the public school is to
serve the stated in giving it intelligent
honest and devoted citizens. The quality
and tone of our standing as a nation will
be the reflex of the habits of thought and
the mental and moral condition Of the
people at large.
| We do not need more schools. Our syg-
tenn is sufficiently broad and conaprehen-
siye to give to every boy in this land
enough of parliamentary instruction to
equip him for an intelligent participation
in the duties of citizenship. A goyern-
ment has no higher duty than that Of
making provision for its perpetuity and
broader usefulness, and these ends can be
secured in this country in no other way
SO efficiently as III fostering and guiding
wisely the education Of our youth in our
public schools. The government is to live
not only for them but by them. There is
no force that exerts SO much potency on
the character and condition Of this
country. The American flag in the hands
OF an intelligent teacher may he used as
a most interesting and profitable object
lesson. Its full significance should be i'm
pressed upon the mind of the pupil, and
all the grand associations and heroic
achievements connected with it, The dis
cipline Of the school room Will impress
upon the mind of the pupil the obliga-
tions of citizenship by teaching the true
meaning of obedience and @ recognition
OF the rights of others. The study of
history is one of the most essential con-
ditions of good citizenship. Our school
histories are too short. They should tell
all true anecdotes and stories at full
length. The pupils should become
familiar with all the great men who have
assisted in the construction and preserva-
ton of the government They should
clearly understand the principles at stake
in our late war, and be taught to appre-
oiate the bravery and heroism of those
who fought for them.
Continuing, the speaker said there
should be more reading and reciting OF
patriotic selections in our schools and
singing of patriotic hymns. Good citizen.
ship Is the product of character of culture,
of self inspected moral discipline, even
more than of knowledge. A mere secular
education is not alone sufficient to insure
the best type of citizenship. The moral
side of the child's nature must be de-
Veloped simultaneously with all the other
faculties of the mind. The vital force OF
citizenship is virtue and every pupil
should be broadly, deeply and securely
grounded in immutable convictions Of
morality as opposed TO prudence, policy
and expediency. By reposing confidence
in his honor and reliance upon his in.
tegrity tho child's nobler impulses will he
strengthened. The American youth mus
be taught not only their duties as units
of the governed citizens, but their duties
as units in governing class sThey
should be taught the duty of exercising
the right Of suffrage; that it is incumbent
upon them and alike honorable to hold
office. More active partici patton by the
intelligent class, in politics would
thwart the plans and tricks of bosses.
Continuing, MIR. Turner referred to the
increase of our foreign population and
open hostility to, our institutions. the
necessity of more stringent immigration
laws and closed with an eloquent appeal
in behalf Of all we'll known principles Of
American institutions and especially in
behalf of our public schools.
WILL NOT GIVE UP GUERRA.