The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1914-06-06
The American Spirit

- pccultAriiy "a uuc 70 the tpift OF
democracy that directed the reyo-
lutiouary fathers and finds expression
IN the Destination of Undergraduates and
the federal Constitution. The men who
eolonired the coasts Of this continent In
The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
ucre tired of the oppression that Il In
separahle from the rule Of irresponsible
morarchs; and Wkeu they had the oppor'
tuniiy 10 say something about the hind
u goyerument they should 1--we under,
they naturally rcpudisied kings and
autorraey In al he forms
eve, the people of the United
States" are the rock upon which this
nation il founded: and upon that rock
must 10 build N the structure IL 10 be
completed and the people attain 10 the
frcedom and individual development
dreamed Of by the first patriots and pro
NOTED by their sacrifices. Such u the
American spirit, the great psychological
power which fires the imagination, in
spires the thought and nerves the arm 20
iare, think and do heroic things. IL
s this power, forgotten AZ times but re.
appearing at every national crisis, that
produced Patrick Henry With the bold.
W. 70 WY W. AAAk NAAN AAAAAFA -
Washington 10 revive dropping hearts dur.
ing the grim winter AZ Valley Forge;
that reared a Lincoln 10 preach the new
gospel Of freedom and maintain Il
through unhappy strife eliminating in
martyrdom.
We, the people, have ordained and es-
tRblished a State separate and distinct
from Church 10 the end that all churches
NAV be alike free from dictation and
from persecution. We, the people, recog.
uiEe and respect the religious opiuions OF
every soul, granting special privileges 20
none and righteous protection 70 all.
Aud adherence 10 these principles has
made America great among the nations.
So high an ideal could be realized only
through the cooperative effort Of an
intelligent citizenship. For that reason
our ancestors wisely provided for popular
education by means Of public senoois
which, 10 work in harmony with the
American spirit, should be wholly free
/ from sectarian control and be devoted
wholly 20 developing a sound mind in a
sound body, unprejudieed by partisan OF
sectariRn teaching.
And what a woodworking institu.
tion is this American public school sys.
TEN which has 10 wrought that today
despite the enormous immigration Of un,
educated foreigners and the presence OF
large element Of the black race, only
seven and seven.tenths Of the fetal popu
lRtion over the age Of ten are illiterate
u that not a record 20 be proud Of
] Think Of this great national melting pot
into which is dumped every year whole
tribes Of illiterate but ambitious peoples
/, speaking strange tongues and thinking
strange thoughts. Had Il not been for the
public means Of popular education the
Tower Of Babel would be a symbol Of
unity compared with the jargon Of mis-
understanding that would have covered
the western continent.
And note how, along with the com
mercial, industrial and material develop
ment of the country, the public sehoo
has kept pace until now, instead Of 4
few months out Of a few years devotet
TO the learning Of readin', 'ritin' anS
'rithmetic, there are kindergartens q
unfold the minds Of playing childrel
and gain years in their development
there are high shoots and academies {,
prepare young men and women 70
college; there are universities, establishe,
and multiplied in every state Of tn
union, where perfection in the classic
may be attained, and the more prsctiea
branches Of science may be cultivate,
even TO civil and electrical engineering
Schools Of law and mecieIne, eonnecte'
with state universities. have raised tn
standard of legal and medical practice
Agricultural colleges are training farmer
for the scientific solution Of problem
connected with dry farming. irrigation
improved breeding, upbuilding soil, in
ereasing crops and eliminating waste.
Then there are the schools for manua
training in which the hand is educate,
TO the use Of tools 70 the end that W
may grow in the ability TO do things a
well as understand things. Here boy
learn to build and girls 20 cook to th
end that they may not be simply good
but good for something. Industris
physics taught in these schools send
science into the home and into the work
shop to help men and women in subduin
the earth and gaining dominion owe
natural forces.
Is il any wonder that with this engin
Of enlightenment, Lperating steadily
} every valley and on every hilltop, "
have learned to harness the flown
! streams and transmit their power
means Of lightning to turn the wheels o
Industry The American spirit beeam
flesh and dwelt among men when Franl
! lin flew his kite and Morse made III
telegraph. The same spirit speak
through the telephone and guides th
flight Of the aeroplane. The name Q
; that spirit Is Progress, and il is bus
} IN every department Of American activit,
10 enters congress and promotes pr
cressive legislation; il pervades the hon
/ and workshop, the field and factory, I
! foster morality and practical purity;
! is the one great pushful, permeatiu
principle that has lifted America an
! placed our country on the pinnacle Q
) prosperity. And that sprrit, IN preserve,
destined 10 solve the great problem
} that face us today and demand solutio
/ tomorrow.
. In the face Of all these facts VIII
: should be our attitude toward that 9th,
spirit which condemns the public schoo
e denies freedom Of thought, denounc'
5 private judgment, perverts philosoph
eontaminates religion, demands union {
] Church and State, asserts exelusi'
4 authority, forbids freedom Of press An
Q speech and asserts, assumes and arr
I yates to itself all power alleged to