The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-09-17
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSN.
Declaration Of Principles Adopted a
Meeting at Denver, COL, On
July s, 1909.

,'tlOn, hOlQlnS us OTlS-SeNelItu IL aAIlit"'
Convention in Denver. representing
teachers and friends of education IN
every state Of the Union, made the
following Declaration Of Principles
and Of Aims:
!. A free democracy cannot long
continue without the assistance OF a
system Of state-supported schools, ad-
ninistered by the chosen agents OF
the people and responsible to the peo~
pie for it's ideals, its conduct, and It's
results. The commanding position OF
the American people is largely due
to the general diffusion Of knowledge
and culture by its free schools.
2. Our system of state-supported
schools must include elementary
schools, secondary schools, schools for
the training Of teachers, and state
universities. The changed conditions
of the twentieth century also demand
the establishment Of free schools
whose purpose shall be the training OF
our youth for commerce and the IN
dustries, as we'll as for the pro-
fessions.
8. The purpose of our system OF
free common schools must continue
10 be chiefly culture for the lndlvld-
ual and the transmission to posterlty
Of the results Of investigations and
deliberations of the past. Our free
schools must advance along the lines
Of educational democracy in the
sense that they must provide equal
educational opportunities for all.
Altho they must give practical prepra-
ton not only for the professions, out
also for commercial life, the demands
Of anv part Of the business world that
courses Of study be subordinated to
narticular interests is not IN accord
with the proper aims Of national
system of common schools.
i A system Of common schools
that will meet the needs Of the times
mnst be democratic in its purpose
and IFS administration; must recog-
nize the Importance Of expert super
vision. Of better and more numerous
high schools, Of better and more nu-
merous high schools for the training
of teachers, Of a merit system tor the
appointment and promotion OF teach-
5rs: and it must exclude fraternltles
and secret organizations Of every
sort from the social life of the school.
s The common schools of our
country must recognize more fully
than ever the necessity Of training
our youth for citizenship. The perpe-
tuation Of democracy depends upon
the existence in the people OF that
habit of will which is justice. Liberty
nnder law is the process OF ATTAINING
Justice which has thus far been most
Successful among civilized en.Ine
call to citizenship is a call to the ex-
e,cise Of liberty under law, a call to
the limitation Of liberty by law, and
a call to the pursuit of justice, not
only for ones self but for Others.
6 The National Education Assocl-
alton endorses the purpose OF the
American School Peace League. The
Association believes that the prlncl-
ples of the League will make Tor et-
fective citizenship, and urges all
teachers to acquaint themselves with
work of the League and to cooperate
with it.
7. The increased tendency to con-
gestion Of population in cities makes
necessary greater and more systemat-
ic attention to the physical develop
ment of our children. No vigorous
race of people has long maintained a
high state Of civilization under condl-
tions that did not take into conSid-
eration the physical as we'll as the
mental and moral development Of its
youth. The Association recommends
that provision be made by the United
States Bureau Of Education for effect
i've promotion Of physical edu"atlon
through the diffusion Of scientific ~
formation on this subject.
s, The National Educa,;"H .\~~.'-
citation approves III" ever l'""s'~."-
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