The National tribune., 1898-01-27
THE RELIEF CORPS
News and Gossip of the Great
Auxiliary.
TRAINING IN CITIZENSHIP.

In any great popular movement there
must be first the sentiment and after that
the provision OF a structure wherein this
sentiment can be utilized. Sentiment is
like the honey which the busy bees go
gathering from flower to flower; but there
must be a comb in which to deposit the
honey, that its uses may not be lost.
The Womans Relief Corps have long
been bringing home the money, ana now
they are only too glad that practical edu-
Gators are to take it and store it for the
uses of the children of the land.
DIR. d. A. fIinSdale, a member OF the
National Educational Association, for
many years connected with the high
schools and colleges of Ohio, and now
Professor of Science and the Art OF Teach
ing in the University of Michigan, has
taken up the Teaching OF Civics" in
very practical way. He holds that the
science of Government Is not only very
necessary study in the education of Amerl-
can citizens, but q really necessary part OF
mental discipline. 1t accords with the
American genius, being eminently practi-
cal.
Government, he says, is one OF the
greatest Cf human arts as well as one CT
the greatest of human necessities, and Il
study of civics is as necessary for the non
voter as for the voter, particularly as the
non voter may some day be the voter, by
removing from one State to another. In
three States women are, under prescribed
qualifications voters the same as men,
In other States they vote on special ques-
tons, as the election CT school officers,
while in all States they contribute to the
carrying on OF the Government ana TO the
creating of public opinion.
1t should be one of the chief duties OF
education to create enlightened publlc
opinion. As Washington expressed 1T,
In proportion as the structure OF
Government gives force to pubic OPINION
- t,.,l ntlIyl
be enlightened" As women compose a
majority CT the teachers in the pubic
schools it is of the utmost importance that
they, as well as their compeers among
men should be educated in the structure
and operation Of the Government of which
they form part.
No writer has written more intelligently
upon training for citizenship than DR..
IIinsdale He holds that Government and
history are closely affiliated history find
ing it's most prominent topic in Govern
ment while Government IS unintelliGIble
without history. Commenius, the Slavic
educational ref0rmer, was right when he
contended that every kind OF education has
its beginning in the school in the mothers
lap. which embraces the first six years of
q cllild's lie
Training in citizenship begins when the
child begins to have commerce with his
fellows who are older. When the child
goes to school the teacher takes the place
of the parent and the education of the
school rein orces the education OF the
home. The ideas impaired in the home OF
authority obedience, law, are enforced.
He begins TO take lessons in Civil Govern
ment. the Church public meetings, sOcie
ties OF various kinds; all teaching lessons
of order and discipline.
This is unconscious tuition. To suppose
that the chld'S political education begins
when he first reads the Constitution OF
the United States is like supposing that
his moral education begins when he first
follows the preachers sermons.
Education in citizenship should not
stop with unconscious tuition. The sub
iect of Government should be taken up
rehectively and taught as a study, under
the direction OF competent teachers. John
Quincy Adams was right when he said Of
this Government: ut is a complicated MA
chine: it is AN anomaly in the history o!
the world: it is that which distinguishes
us from all other nations, ancient and
modern
1t is not to be wondered at that this
complicated machine often runs away with
those who would operate it, so limited has
been the study given to its several func
tons Even the courts Of our land are
at variance in their interpretations of the
power and scope of the several depart
ments of Government.
Nothing is more deceptive" said Daniel
Webster, 'Or more dangerous imam the
pretense OF a desire to simplify Govern
ment. The simplest Governments are
despotisms; the next simplest, limited
monarchies; but all republics, all Govern
ments of law, must impose numerous limi-
tations and qualifications of authority and
give many positive, many qualified rights.
An instance is given Of boy who
when asked what is the Constitution of
the United States" said, 1.-The back part
of the history that nobody reads" 1t was
a dead letter to him
To teach civics intelligently the teacher
must stimulate the pupil to study poiti
Cal facts as they exist about him. He
should be encouraged to read the news
papers instruction should never consist
of mere definitions and political facts
The study should develop patriotism and
the civic spirit which is love of country
and II disposition to insist upon the rights
and perform the duties that spring out of
the citizens relation to civil society and
the state. AS Dr. Francis Lieber express
ed it, tNo right without it's cOrrelative
duty no duty without its corrclative right. :"
This is the right kind of patriotic teach
ing, and such as the little children of the
primary grades, who have learned the flag
salute and an elementary knowledge Of
their duties and Obligations as American
citizens, should receive from their instruc-
tors when they shall pass to the higher
grades. Thus will the hOneycomb of fact
be symmetrically filed with the sweets of