El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-18

.UdJ III the SCHOOLS Is SET dSlOc IOI luc
purpose of teaching the broad morali-
ties that underlie the hopes and aspira-
lions who pray for the day when there
shall be no more war. This particu-
lar day and this particular lesson were
selected by the American Peace So
ciety, but the celebration of the day
and the hearty cooperation accorded
by the teachers is properly considered
a part of the general movement for
moral education in the public schools
The educators Of the country admit
that the greatest requirement of the
American school system is the addi-
ton of moral instruction to the ordin-
airy three RS Moral education must
be understood in this sense to imply
nothing of the religious or. sectarians
sense. 1t embraces only those general
rules for chara building which are
accepted by all as helpful and whole
some, without regard to creed or race.
Preventing Friction.
The great diversity OF races and re-
ligions among the public school pupils
of this country and the absolute sep
aration of ecclesiastical and civil au-
thority, make it essential that no IN
struction shall be given that would De
Objectionable to any nationally or sect
For this reason Bible reading is TABOO
in many public schools and, in the en-
deavor to prevent religious friction
moral instruction of any sort has oeen
neglected.
To supply this deficiency, without
stirring up the old trouble, is the OBJ
jet of the present movement for moral
instruction in the schools. BY taxing
advantage Of Peace day this lnslruc
ton may be begun on a patriotic pasls
instead Of a religious basis, ano the
child may be taught morality as a re-
quisite of good citizenship. Certalniy
the lessons today will have some eIlec'
in correcting the all too bloody atmos-
phere OF old-fashioned histories.
Movement Gains Ground.
Not only in America, but in every
civilized country of the worlc THIS
movement is gaining ground Inc
Italians have lately issued. a new edu-
cational code laying great stress upon
moral instruction in the schools Hun
gary recently issued an even more de-
tailed guide for. moral instruction Ii
Portugal, where the schools are gen
orally under church control, manual
has been issued for moral obstruction
which is distinctly different from the
religious instruction provided by the
church. This manual has received the
official appreciation of the cardinal OF
Lisbon. In Germany the new rsaoins
books haze been especially arranged 10
include a systematic course OF morai
instruction Switzerland. France, bel-
gium. Japan and Russia are all giving
sueciaI attention to this subject Al
the last international moral educatlon
congress held in London no less tnan
80 governments were represented
In the United States, for at ieast
10 wears. different schemes for morai
to-o hoop elaborated in Va
rtous sections more OF less local, but
only recently has there been concert
ed effort to unity them. The incorper-
alton last March Of the national 1nstl-
tuition for moral instruction and the
action of the Peace society in having
the subject considered today as part
of the public school Peace day exer-
cises will no doubt create mucn great,
er interest in the advancement OF mora
education in America during the neA'
year. ....,
One of the most concise and practcal
scbedules of moral instruction issued
bv anv country is that formulated las.
wear by Eusebio Morales, secretary on
public education for the republic Q.
panama The unsettled condition OF
panama rendered this matter more dlI-
ficult there than in other countries
The cosmopolitan population represent
ing as it does almost every Greco nau
been before the establishment OF the
republic largely dependent 1or eouca
tion upon desultory instruction oy
nriests and sisters The children whose
narents- did not accept catholicism re-
caived little education Of any KIND
One of the earliest circulars regarding
the courses of study issued oy Ut
Morales directed systematic instruction
in truthfuIness, honesty, reverence 10
parents, patriotism, courage aud char-
ity. Each day some one OF these SUD
ieots come UP as regularly as the otner
branches of study in the Panamanian
schools. Thus the same ideas OF mora
ethics are embraced by -GePtile and Jew
pagan and Christian, Catholic and
Protestant
Children Taught Thrift.
In the United States. courtesy and
thrift are being included as q part OF
the moral instruction in the puohc
schools. Children are urged to pre-
pare for the future by practical advice
as to choosing a trade, profession or
business. In the grammar and higher
grades the principles Of nauonal as
well as personal thrift are being dwelt
unon even to the inclusion OF a certain
amount of conservation instruction
AS the children of the present viii be
the citizens of the future, the develop
ment ana protection of the national
resources of the country are taught as
civic duties. In the higher schools
essays on subjects bearing upon these
questions as well as those regarding
peace and national welfare are encour-
aged by offering prizes.
Preparing fer Congress.
At the national conference of moral
instruction held at Yale in January
the need of united action vas dwelt up
on al length Preparations are now in
progress from another international
congress to be held next year. At
this congress the establishment of a
world wide system OF moral instruc-
ton. to be used in all countries alike,
will be considered. The best methods
OF teaching moral ethics will also be
under discussion. In this respect
America will doubtless show the great
est diversity and progress, although
other countries will have reports of
their work which will be helpful and
suggestive.
The teaching of morals and thrift
by means of stereoptican views is one
of the latest devices being put into
effect in the United States. For
number of years, chiefly in the larger
cities, geography and history have
been taught more Rraphically by ma