The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-03-03

responsibility for seeing thai
children attend school, wher
parents neglect this matter
This proposal expresses another
phase of impatient distrust in the
sufficiency of those family forces
formerly relied upon to bring ur
the new generation safely and
properly. 1t also implies a grow.
ing tendency to rely upon the
State rather than upon individu.
al initiative under the slowly de:
veloping pressure of public opin.
ion.
All these observations raise
the question. Whittier are we
drifting? Has the institution of
the family been tried and found
wanting? Are we discovering
other agencies that can do the
vitality important work once COM
mitted to the home and do it bet
ter? 1t will not do to be hasty in
answering this question, either
in the affirmative or the negative.
1t is quite possible that the hos
pital and trained nurse may
prove more effective in saving
life than home nursing, that the
Sunday School may be developed
to a point where it will give our
children their religious instruc-
ton better than it could be done
at home; that the public school
may be so perfected as to train
very young children more ,effic-
iently than their mothers have
time or disposition to accomplish,
and that the State may assume
full powers of regulation in re-
gard to the course of children at
school with ultimate advantage
to all concerned. On the other
hand, it is equally possible that
we are drifting in a dangerous
direction, and that it is time to
call halt in the process of TAX
ing from the home it's traditioon-
al privileges and duties. At any
rate, it is clear that some very
cautious reflection upon the pres
ent situation is needed, before
we take another long step in the
shape of an adoption of the poll
cy of compulsory education.
Our welfare as people is
bound up with the fate of two
great institutions-the home and
the democratic form of govern
ment. Both must be guarded
Jealously against corruption in
any form. What bearing has
this upon the question of COM
pulsory education?
The home is the gateway of
life. Through this gate enters
all those who are to fill the gaps
caused by death. By means of
the family organization society
secures double object of vast
Importance, viz: that for every
child there shall be a definitely
known pair of parents, and that
they shall be held responsible for
the child's support and proper
training during the years of de-
pendence. So important is it to
secure these ends systematical-
ly, that society refuses to COM
promise with those who bring
children into the world illegiti-
mately, because this means in
ability to locate the father, SO
that he may be held responsible.
Similarly, society should be ex-
ceedingly wary of approving any
developments that tend to re.
lieve parents of the responsible.
ties created by bringing forth
/ children. Such policy encour.
ages recklessness in that direc.
tion, coupled with a disposition
to expect that the State will
make good any shortcomings.
| AS pointed out above, there
are already many signs of a de.
cline in the sense of parenta
responsibility of a disposition t.
avoid parental burdens altogeth.
er or else shift them upon othe,
agencies, as they come forward
offering assistance. Is it safe
to deliberately add another far
reaching innovation, looking to /:
further transfer of responsible
ty from the parent to the State
) With the State already called up