The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-07-14
Declaration by the National Edu.
cational Association.
RICH AND POOR HERE EQUAL
Foundation Stsne Of American Democracy
The System Should Be Quickly and
Thoroughly Established ThrOughOut
Our New Possessions

CHARLESTON. S. c.. July 1s.-In ac-
ccrdance with established custom and
in order to better enforce those be-
liefs and practices which tend most
powerfully to advance the cause OF
popular education and civilization bas-
ed on intelligent democracy. the Nation
al Educational Association. assembled
in its thirty-ninth meeting. makes this
declaration Of principles:
In the common school is the high-
est hope Of the Nation. In develop
ing character. in training intelligence,
in diffusing information. its influence
is incalculable.
I'm last resort the common school
rests not upon statutory support but
upon the convictions and affections Of
the American people. It seeks not to
cast the youth of the country into a
common mould. but rather to AFFORD free
play for individuality and for local
needs and aims. while keeping steadily
in view the common purpose Of educa-
ton. In this respect it conforms to our
political ideas and to our political or
ganization which bind together self
governing states in nation. wherein
each locality must bear the response
bility for those things which most con-
Germ its welfare. and its comfort. A
safe motto for the cchool as for the
state is: In essentials. unity; in nom
essentials. liberty; in all things. char
ity.
"a Democracy provides for the edu-
cation Of all its children. To regard
the common schools as schools for the
unfortunate and the less well-to-do.
and to treat them as such. is to strike
a fatal blow at their efficiency as demo-
cratic institutions; it is to build up
class distinctions which have no prop
er place on American soil. The purpose
Of the American common school is to
attract and TO instruct the rich. as
well as to provide for. and to educate
the poor. Within its walls American
citizens are made. and no person safe
ly can be expected from its benefits.
What has served the people Of the
United States so well should be prom
inentiy placed at the service Of those
who. by the fortunes OF war. have be-
come our wards. The extension Of the
American common school system to Gu
ha, Porto Rico and the Philippines
is an imperative necessity. in order
that knowledge may be generally DIFF
fused therein. and the foundations of
social order and effective local self-gov-
ernment laid on popular intelligence
and morality.
"The provisions Of law for the civil
government Of Porto Rico indicate that
it is the intention Of the congress Of
the United States to increase the re-
sponsibilities of the bureau Of educa-
tion. We earnestly urge upon congress
the wisdom and adyisability of reor-
ganizing the bureau Of education upon
broader lines. erecting it into an Inn
portant department on plane with
the department OF labor; of providing
a proper compensation for the commits
sioner Of education. and Of so consti-
tuting the department Of education that
while its invaluable function Of coll
lating and diffuslng information be in
no wise Impaired. it may be equipped
tn exercise oversight over the educa-
tional system Of Alaska and Of the
several islands now dependent upon us,
as well as to make some provision for
the education Of the children Of tens
Of thousands of white people domiciled
in the Indian Territory, but who are
without any educational opportunities
whatever. Such reorganization of the
bureau Of education and such extension
Of its functions we believe to be de-
manded by the highest interests Of
the people Of the United States. and
we respectfully but earnestly ask con-
gress to make provision for such reor-
ganization and extension at heir next
session. The action so strongly recon-
mended win in no respect contrayene
lhe principle that it is one Of the rec