The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-08
w..

In The course Of 1856 Carl churz made
up his mind to settle in WATERFOWL. a town
in Wisconsin less than fifty miles west OF
Milwaukee. The population OF the place
was preponderantly German. From the
foundation OF the Republican party Schurz
began to take an active part in politics,
but in the campaign OF 1850 he addressed
only German audiences in their own
language. His long observation OF the
part taken by naturalized citizens in politi-
cal movements leads him to discuss the
educational influence exercised upon emf
grants from foreign countries TO the United
States by the practice Of local ~self-govern-
ment. He met in Wisconsin communities
a great many foreign born persons who
in their native countries had been accus-
toned to loo up TO the Government az a
superior power which in the order OF the
Universe was ordained to do nearly every
thing for them and to whose -superhuman
wisdom and i~ndisputable authority they
had to submit. Such people. of course,
bring with them no conception OF the work
ing OF democratic institutions. n there
il sometimes much speculation on the part
Of American political philosophers as 70
how the newcomers can safely DO intrusted
hero with any rights or privileges per-
hitting them 70 participate in the functions
OF government. Mr.. Schurz. who unques-
tionably speaks from experience. think
that in point Of fact there will be very
little IL any serious trouble whenever
such people are placed in a situation in
which they will actually be obliged 20 take
an active and responsible part in the govern
ment respecting those affairs which inn
mediately concern thom. PLANT such per-
sons he says, sin communities which
are still in an inchoate. formative state,
where the management OF the public BUSH
ness in the directest possible way visibly
touches the home Of every inhabitant and
where everybody feels himself impera-
lively called upon to give attention % IL
for the protection or promotion Of his own
interests, and people, though ever 10 little
used TO that sort Of thing, will take 10 demo-
cratic self government a. a duck takes.
20 water
II is not denied that they may do so some
what clumsily at first and make grievous
mistakes, but these very mistakes. with
their disagreeable consequences. sharpen
the wits Of those who desire to learn.
Mr.. Schurz is convinced that what is some
times called the art Of self gOvernment-
Us UOb lChThCu W AhaonV0SA PVClhC
ally. nor even by the mere presentation Of
other peoples experiences by way Of in
structive example. Practice is the only
really effective teacher. Other methods Of
instruction will rather retard. II not alto
gether prevent. the development OF the
self governing capacity. because they
will serve to weaken the sense Of RESPONSE
bility and sel~f-reliance. This is the reason
why there is not an instance In history OF a
people having been taught successfully
to govern themselves by a tutelary power
acting upon the principle hat to the wards
should moi be given the power OF self
government until they have shown them
selves ht for it," OF course Mr.. Schurz
is here speaking Of the European emigrant
as he saw him in the agricultural districts
and small towns Of the West. He acknowl-
edges that in our large cities. with con-
gested populations. self-government con-
sidered as an educator does not always
bring forth Inc most desirable results.
owing partly to the circumstance that
government in its various branches il there
further removed from the individual. so
that he comes into contact with IL and
exercises his influence upon IL only through
various Intermediary agencies which may
exert a very demOralizing influence.