Rock Island Argus., 1897-04-23


preston until they have NO concep-
tion a government other than - the
exercise Of tyranny are to be taught
to see In it wise provision for the
preservation Of their rights; those
who have been acoustic med to bend
the forces of governments to their
own selfish ends must be taught that
to do 30 10 the rankest kind of tres
son and worthy Of the severest pun
ishmsht; all must 30 taught that
while liberty must be maintained,
license must be restrained. This
generation is 1ealous in maintaining
Its rights; the next must be equally
zealous in performing its duties.
american history has shown that
We are not to be destroyed by for
eign invasion or sectional strife.
When these have threatened cur ex-
istence, the nations deiende have
besn quick to respond. But ;here 10
foe. whose approach Is more
stealthy than either Of these. When
every member of the nation 10 ab
sorbed in the pursuit of his own
aims. striking to secure his individ-
ual or personal rights, which in many
caees conflict with those of his neigh
Dor. when demsgogues for selfish
and party aims plant and nourish
feelings Of hatred between what they
are pleased to cali the classes of
the rich and the poor, when parti-
sanship and prejudice are rampant.
and these with ignorance blind men
80 that they are willing to follow evil
and designing leaders. who are. as
far 40 they are able, using the masses
only to elevate themselves into the
places held by those whom they are
attacking; then there must be body
of citizens whose clear heads and
true hearts will give them the cour-
age and strength to Withstand the
tide At any cost. or our beloved
country will go down a. have other
nations in the past. This body of
men must come from the public
schools, and the teachers of today
and tomorrow must train them.
II have said that the conception
OF the object Of the public school
must be broadened. By this mean
that the teachers, school patrons and
the public generally must realize
clearly that the perpetuity of the
state depends upon . high standard
Of citizenship, and that this high
standard Of citizenship involves hon
e=ty and unselfishness as we'll as in
telligence. Experience has shown
that the task allotted to the home is
the most difficult part Of education
and that the school must aid in its
accomplishment. This requir. that
the teachers who are 10 be the
models and patterns for the rising
generations should be all that is de-
sirable in the young-phys ysicaily,
strong; mentally, alert; morally,
righteous; spiritually, pure. II
means that their characters and
their lives must be such as to give
them the respect of all fair.miDded
people. That they shall be known
to be 30 conscientious and free from
partisanship that all of their actions
shall be accepted as intended for. the
welfare of the children under their
care. and prompted by Intelligence
and good judgment. As divided
authority in the family is destruct-
i've Of respect for its heads. 10 varl-
ances between teachers and parents
weaken the authority of both.
"When it is generally granted, a. it
will be sooner or later. that charac-
ter building is the chief mission OF
the school, 1t must follow that the
public education of children should
begin earlier than 10 now contem-
plated by the law. Education is
largely matter of habits. He Is
well educated whose habits of body,
mind and heart are what they ought
to be. The formation of habits be-
gins In the tsnderest years. The
children who come to the public
schools at the age OF 6 years come
with many firmly fixed habits. II
these, or any Of them, are bad, the
teachers first task 10 one of reform
alton. Some times this reform alton
can never be accomplished. When
it can, there 10 . loss of valuable
time that might have been saved had
tu0 CullUt6u U6eu uuu6I Tue care OF
skillful kindergarten during the
previous two years and formation had
nrecluded the need of reforms alton.
To summarize: The changed con-
ditions CT family and state demand
On enlargement of the duties of the
school; these call for noble and de.
vout teachers who must be cordially
supported BY parents. Character
building 10 to be the chief aim Of the
school Of the future and this calls for
IN extension Of the course at the be-
ginning. This will involve addition
al expense which will not be met BY
taxpayers until they are led to zee
that money thus expended will pre-
vent greater expenditures for prisons
and insane asyluns in the future.
All OF these thoughts point to the
need Of closer relations and more
active cooperation between the
school and the home which 10 to b
aubjs the for discussion ct the gem
sral seseion this meeting"
Pref. nsa0ersoaas AdArsss.
The address OF G. 3 Henderson on