The times., 1901-04-28


one reason why the voters Of some
American communities act SO much like
sheep jumping over a fence is that
they have never really understood what
it was they we're voting for or against,
and SO are easily Influenced by catch
words and cheap oratory. There is no
beauty in mob government or voting
by acclamation. and if the questions
which directly affect the course of free
government are discussed in the
schools, and the elements of political
economy explained to the youngsters,
it is possible that the next generation
Of voters may do some thinking which
their fathers did not do.
The application of the principles of
government may be extremely compli-
Gated. but the principles themselves are
simple. The complication comes mainly
from dealing with people who do not
recognize the principles or in trying to
adjust plain rules to a combination of
circumstances which is the result of
ages of misgovernmcnt. For example,
this Republic started on the principle
of the political equality of its citizens.
But the material which had to be used
in working out the problem was in
fluenced by all kinds of monarchical and
caste -begotten conventions, inherited
from ancestors who believed in the
divine right of kings: and, as some one
recently said of us. We Americans have
ever since the Revolution been trying
to reconcile political equality with So
cisl and economic inequality. and have
net succeeded.
1T may be that the working out of this
problem VIII be a process Infinitely
long and difficult. but manifestly it will
be shortened and simplified if the peo-
pie most concerned in the working out
are taught to understand ii as 1t is.
AT present there is no very definite
teaching on the subject, and no recog-
nized authority for The mass of the peo-
pie. Take. for example the question of
social equality. which is bothering our
society at present There is one con-
vention which teaches that some men,
by right of birth and position, have an
inherent right to expect service, re-
spect. and more or less Difference from
other men There is another which
teaches that no man need recognize
any natural obligation to be respectful
10 anybody. Neither theory is right;
and yet, on one or the other more or
less modified. innumerable American
young people are shaping their lives.
There is no teaching in the scl.oolroom
on this subject, and the youngsters, un-
less their thoughts are given definite
direction al home. come to very tangled
conclusions in the matter which are
seldom entirely Strengthened out when
they arrive at mature years.
II ought to be possible, however, TO
give some general instruction on this
matter which would not lead to arIo
gance on the one hand or insolence on
the other The insoIent person is not
courteous. whether he is nobleman or
servant, and if anything, the former is
less justified in his insolence, since he
takes advantage of his power 10 strike
where his victim cannot strike back.
No position, end no oppression, wholly
justifies cruelty, injustice, violence,
vice The oppressed mans lot is not
made easier by yielding to hatred and
vicious impulses; and the power of the
aIistocrat rs nullifed if he proves him
self unworthy of it. Any child can be
taught these things. Any child can be
made to see-unless wrong influence at
home counteracts the teachers train
ing entirely-that no one should be
blamed for that which he cannot help
or take credit for that which he did
not do There is not one code Of
courtesy for the rich man and another
for the poor man; the, fact that one is
the employer and the other the EN-
ployed gives the former no right TO be
unjust, and the latter no right to be
dishonest OF lazy. Both owe it to them
selves to do what is right by their
The child can be taught, by
practical illustration, that there is no
way Of preserving order, protecting the
rights Of all. and doing good work, ex
cept by Organization-that is, govern
ment. and most OF the principles of
government can he worked out in one
way or another in the classroom. In
many a college class meeting there is
the same struggle between The same
elements Of society as in the Parliament
Of CromweI's time. or the ante beIium
Congress in the United States. If his
tory and economies are taught in
practical way, in colleges and even in
grammar schools, we shall solve the
problems Of government all the more
successfully.