The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-06-10
PENSACOLA FLORIDA THURSDAY MORNING JUNE 10, 1909
The Proper Education
BIZ American Children.

Not for a moment does The Jour
lal wish to give the impression that
{ opposes the most complete educa-
ion for every child in AnreTica-Or
n the world. For the wider the scope
II knowledge in each Individual the
better it will be both for the indivfd-
| laI and for the community and coun-
~ in which he lives.
But, the same time, We believe
hat along with the three Rs" the
classics, mathematics, bellies lettres
Ind all studies both primary and ad-
7anced which are regularly embraced
n the curricula of schools, colleges
and Institutes, there should be incfIrd-
Id instruction in manual labor, in
eacning pupils, both high and low, to
yrasp and be able to do their share OF
he practical things Of life. Phe Util-
tartan spirit of the present age re-
uuires the preparation of those about
o enter the battle of life to pursue
useful vocations, whether mechanical,
agricultural or the like, which occupy
such a predominating position in the
worlds activities.
In its last issue The Chattanooga
'Tradesman makes a plea for educa-
ton along these lines, the following
being an extract from its editorial:
The movement to make manual
'training. horticulture and agriculture
b part of the public school course In
. AL the various cities is of such inl-
.portapce that it is to be hoped that
mo time will be lost in making Ope-
rative these branches and educating
| the public to understand their inn
portance is second to none. We are
bust beginning to fully realize that
. what is popularity understood as high
er education simply means a thorough
knowledge of certain branches that
were supposed to be essentials in the
education of the child, when in reality
| the large percentage of the children
never went beyond the primary
branches and the high schools served
only as possibilities for comparative
" few. 1t must be borne in mind
That the average child, according 20
our present system. Is not able to
secure even a partial edUcatiOn as
calculated on the basis of what con
stitutes a collegiate course.
The Tradesman's view is character
astie-basei upon the business-like
view OF the situation one would ex
poet from a business publication II
rests, o. course. with the governments
OF the states, the generosity of public
spirited citizens, the moral and philan
throuic forces which work for the ed
ucatiOn of the young TO determine
lust how general a true knowledge
of the essentials" alluded to may be
come--a knowledge extending vel
beyond mere primary instruction. Il
goes without saying that if thest
forces worked well together. energet
icalIy and constantly, very few chill
dren would be without opportunity tC
attain higher education, nor is there
anything insrmountable in the way
of their being compelled to attain it
At the same time the praetica
should be given an almost equal place
with what is usually understood as
the academic in all schools, and
while it would be a fatal error to min
imize in the least degree the import
ance o. the latter the former sEroult
be pushed forward to occupy the place
| 1t deserves.
Nor must it be forgotten that our
republic requires that the people, its
rulers, should be versed in the prin-
cipIes which gave it birth and in tlt
political wisdom which will insure i
an age of glorious achievement. Fol
this reason the rising generation:
should be we'll grounded in the Amer
team theory Of government in ordel
that they may properly assume the re
sponsihility which must be theirs
some day. And the schools of the
country should be the media for in
struction in this all-important direc
ton.
Editor Harris, of the Ocala Banner
hit Congrsssman Frank Clark in the