Newark post., 1912-08-21
EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSION
Ry Mrs. L. w. DAWSON


treated to the amusing spectacle
Of Dom Quixote fitting against tn"
,vindlnllls. the giants OF classical
studies and the imaginary power.
behind them are apparently very
real In Mr.. WaShburn. Like his
illusii,oua predecessor he might
say "Thr eXtirpation Of that
cursed brood will be an acceptable
service 10 heaven" There Is an
evident misunderstanding in his
mind as to the position occupied
in present day education by the
remnant Of the "cursed brood.
Let us take Delaware College as
an example Of what is required,
and what is imposed upon the pa
tirnt people by the advocates Of
classical training. 1t offers three
enginrcriug courses. an agrlcul-
turnl course. a general science
course. classical course, and
unless | have been misin-
formed as to the intellectual
freedom Of the American youth
the students have liberty to select
their own courses on entering.
Prof. Conovcr did not plead for
the imposition Of classical stand
ards on all educational inStltu-
tiony. but only set forth IN a most
capable manner The advantages Of
Greek and Latin. Nor am | de
Tending any variety Of educa-
ton" (by which Mr.. Waahburn
undoubtedly means the two stud
les above mpntiontd) (which has
So long been a part Of our method
Of taking the time Of children III
the schools to the exclusion OF
other '.variptics Of education.
Like the ELEPHANTS child in Kip
ling's story, | find myself "yerY
much aStonishcd' at being thus
sPlmmarily set outside the ranks
Of the progreSsivcs. and even pat
on record as opposing what some
of lis regard as progress, not pc
ing aware that anyone could ms
understand my plea for fair play.
Notwithstanding the arguments
used in your last issue by Mr..
Washburn. | still say that the peo-
ple in any age have gotten, and
will continue in the future to get
what they demand. AS knoWl-
cdre crows from more t. more
50 will we better know what we
need and how to get it. 1t is true
and necessary that we delegate a
few to act for us. but our educa-
TORS in this instance. who are CON
stantly studying the problem OF
popular education. endeavor to
give us what we. as a people, de
mand. TO judge the effect Of edll-
cation on humanity as a whole, by
the methods used in any small
town like Newark or FIkton, Is
manifestly absurd; but it still
holds true. that should the people
Of Delaware desire manual train
ing. cooking. sewing, mechanics
well digging. drain laying or any
other useful work taught in then
schools. and be willing to provide
the means for it's Introduction
those who authoritatiyely deter
mine" will at once Introduce it
Wherever in the state there ha
been a strong sentiment for Yoca
tional work it has been placed II
the schools. AS any discussion
concerning educational matters II
Cecil county can have but little III
terest for Delawareans | may b
pardoned for passing over MI
Washburn's words which refer t.
them. only noting that YOU peopl
in Delaware have the power t
reach school affairs by means o
the ballot. whereas the voter 1
Maryland never gets any neare
to the schools than by voting 70
the governor. And every year tn
sentiment is growing that tn
schools shall not be IA politica
plaything; so in the end we. VIII
think we stand for progress, hop
to see education in this state stan,
free and unshackeled.
We must avoid the error OF con
founding any "course OF study
with education. the former is bu
one of the aids to the latter. Lif
is so complex that it is difficult t
select any one influence and Sa
that it has made the individual o
the nation what it is, but what
ever be the method. or the se!ct
ton Of subjects taught, IN educa
tional matters there is one yer
potent influence. that Of the teacl
er. The teacher does Dot mercl