The Washington herald., 1912-03-16
LETTERS FROM NOTABLES
APROPOS JUNIOR REPUBLIC
Testimonials Received by the Progressive Boys
Organization from Washngtonians

hopeful subjects and that a new envi-
ronment was opened to them in which
both work and wages were sure and each
scientifically adopted TO the worker and
the degree Of his productiveness. saw
themselves in a new world in which the
cid hatred of law and lawgivers and law
enforcers was altogether inappropriate.
Here a career was opened TO their tai
ents. They might become not only citi-
zens, but officers in this IDEAL state. Here
tnere were possibilities. to which they
found within themselves responsive am
and criminal already. in the making
ceased to be; and in his place rose up
iaw-abiding and law-loving citizen The
results produced are quite as remark
able as those brought about by Mr.. Bur
hank among plants, vegetables, and fruits,
and they have been produced in the same
way. by sympathetic and scientific study
NJ the subject TO be treated. and by care
full and larger obedience to the laws of
that subjects nature"
BY DIR. Abram simon.
The name and the work of the Ma
tfonaI Junior Republic have been ia
miliar to me for many years. II has
long since won its place as one Of the
most effective disciplinary schools in the
land foJ the healthy conservation Of
youth. Though all Of US agree that the
home. the, public school, and active life
form the most natural unit for the
growth and culture Of childhood and
youth, yet human nature is so consti-
tuted that it becomes often necessary
to transform and re-create new human
soils for the cultivation of human souls
The Junior Republic is a substitute plan
ned TO Mt and refits boys and girls 10 en-
ter into social and civic relations with
those natural institutions, which. for
some reason or other, they were unable,
In their dependence or impudence. to
appreciate or cooperate with. Based
upon thoroughly American principles, it
plans by a series Of definite and practi-
cal civic appliances to teach the child
to carry into active life the respect for
law and order taught him in the school
From the Junior Republic the youth
graduates into the senior republic of
American life. The Junior Republic is the
first aid doctrine carried out in civic life.
The prophet Zechariah could find no
happier illustration of the coming beauty
of the Holy City than that the streets
OF the city shall be full OF boys and
girls playing in the streets thereof"
Surely no happier state can be conceived
than the prevalence of such conditions
where unnecessary temptations do not
abound where the streets radiate
laughter and health, and form the nor
NAL playground for the natural develop
ment of youthful activities. The ab-
sence of these conditions is the Junior
Republics Justification for existence.
The boys and girls who will leave that
institution will be its best missionaries.
Good citizenship is the objective of all
educational efforts in America. The
Junior Republic should be viewed as on
a par with the public school system for
the education of youth. 1t is pleasant to
hear It constantly said that ours is the
land of equal opportunity.
However. We know only too well that
there are boys and girls whose eyes can
not see the open door; others whose
hands are palsied when they touch the
knob: others who ind the key rusted
when they attempt to turn IL. and others
who rush through the door only to find
themselves handicapped by a weakened
constitution, watery moral fiber and a
lack Of mental balance. II there is any
opportunity for the growth in body and
moral sturdiness II ought to be the priv
ilege and joy of men TO create such a me-
dium through which these opportunities
might be realized. The Junior Republic
is dedicated to the doctrine of a new
chance. II has already made good. I
believe the same thing holds true for
most Of the boys and girls who have left
the institution. A patriotic and a SYM
pathic impulse and a conviction that this
school is founded on the right prin-
ciples ought to find a widening circle Of
friends to help carry into increasing
plans of Mr.. William r. George.