The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-09-28
Do l.Beiieye in Compulsory Edu-
cation?

w sfOessesS ~ oVnsP0soVsy eN~
cation?
G. "A. Hoffman, teacher of Shell
Greek: day school Mo. 3, on the Ft,
Berthold reservation, writes an in
~teresting article on Compulsory
Education, which W epublish below;
"This seems to me one Of the
most interesting subjects of to day
toward the Indian children, and
yet it is not a new subject. 1 have
been;asked a good many times if /
believe in compulsory education.
OF course, every one of us, especi-
ally those who are interested in
this subject have a perfect right
to give their opinion, and their ex-
perie1lce that they have learned
from, the peopla among whom they
are working.
While we are living in a free
country, and i'll every state Of the
Union, the laws are made by the
people and for tle good of the peo-
pie.
There are some people, such as
those who have not moral princi-
pals, think they ought not be un-
e.e4' alty kind of law, since the
co.!ntry is free. We know very
~,sil tl,le are such persons who
.svf.sn Foln to be in the contrary
mood, even when they know their
views are injurious to their fellow
men. We can say all the good
laws have been made by noble
men, such men as those who be-
lieve in elevating their people.
A well educated man will know
the value of an education more
than an ignorant man. It is sur
prising when we think. Of it, but
just glance into some white fami-
lies, even among well-to-do people,
and you will find among them,
some who are opposed to their child
rem attending school, and besides
this, there are a good many white
people who can not write their own
names. When we find such peo-
pie we wonder at them, and we are
apt to put many questions to our
selves, such. as for instance, ''did
their parents over look their edu-
cation" or who is to blame for
it." Can we then say he or she
had a wise father and mother, to
allow them to stay out from school?
When we know we'll such things
axe going on among civilized fami-
lies, what can we expect from an
Indian, whose ancestors weren never
confined to indoor work or to the
intellectual. (
As has been said, no power of
analysis a exhibit all the talent
forces embodied in the spirit of a
newborn child, which derive their
origin from the thoughts and deeds
of remote ancestors, and enveloped
in the awful mystery of life, have
been transmitted from generation
to generation across forgotten CEN
turies. Each mans life is 1.-The
heir Of all the ages"
Upon this subject I do not in
tend to bring my ideas out as
theorems, but L have said and will
say things that I have learned from
my childhood, and you will admit
that experience is the best teacher
to man kind. Designating other
tribes, although most of them are
nearly alike In their habits and
ways, I shall refere only to the
people whose children I I'm teach
ing.
The majority of these people ale
willing to send their children to
our day school, although there are
some families who nave to be
forced by an Indian police. But
when the time comes to send their
children to The boarding school,
then nearly ali the parents object
to their going to school, even when
sending them within rs miles OF
the school. 4
4 rule among these people, is
il il nlall hasa son, then the rather
ss.Aes everything III an easy way
W letting his son look after the
horses and other things, or if he
has u daughter, say. about l6 years
u age, the father will be anxious
Tor u son-in law, that he may have
him do the work. In old times
tne women were considered as
servants to their husbands with
no affections between them--and,
in fact she was treated very cruelty
in many ways, although she done.
most Of the work, and yet the men
do lpti appreciate her. The girls
were forced To get married against
their wishes, and: many Of them.
wese bought for ponies. These
soiasiideas seem to cling toSthe old.
peopse to-day They encourage.
yonlggsggiras tos get married While
aey arestooyounyy andnot finished
fwaG - ~. N