The Detroit times., 1915-11-02
Education For World Living
~ Or. FRANK CRANE
Copyright. 1915. by Frank Crane)

ing" was used some time ago by Presi-
dent King of Oberlin College in an adj
dress at Oakland, California. All ! saw
in the press report was the heading; his
discourse was not given.
But the subject announced is certain
ly striking and thought stirring. 1t re-
veals to us. as by lightning flash, the
narrowness, the septic crudity of almost
all Of what we call education.
Is not cathoicity the very first essen
tial to any culture? Is not provincialism
the arch foe to wisdom? Is not the
gentleman, the scholar, simply the man
who has broken down the hedges that
cramp little minds, who has surmounted
the last prejudice, realized the folly OF
egotism, and reached that sunny mesa
of intelligent experience where he views
all human concerns with generous SYM
pathy and lives in the unconfined and
universal democracy of ideas?
And how few systems Of education
attain that, or aim at it, or even see 1t!
The human creature runs to class as
gang. The pride of family is instilled
strains his soul to get into Greek letter
|
! the noblest adornment Of life is to be
loyal" to dear old Amherst, or Yale, or
Siwash.
Out into the world forthgoing he must
be good Baptist. religiously; member
of the Rod and Rifle Club, socially, and
consistent hardware man in business.
Politically he must be Republican, or
Democrat. or a Socialist, and stand by
the Grand Old Party in whatever nom
sense or crime its bosses may decree.
Citizenship never means more to him
than the consciousness Of belonging TO
certain geographical territory. He must
swear allegiance to my country, night
or wrong" All the vanity and self-glori-
fcation of the inhabitants of his district
he must adopt, glory in, and boast OF.
Patriotism, or intense national prejudice,
is elevated to religion, and he is ex-
pected to go out and kill the denizens OF
other states whenever there is quar-.
rel over tariffs, boundaries, or blunder-
ing politics.
Why wouldn't it be good idea to edu-
cate men to consider themselves first OF
all as human beings, with loyalty to
mankind outranking fealty to state,
with a sense of brotherhood to Hindus,
Chinese. and Russians outweighing the
petty interests of his own group?
Is it not about time for this? Ocean
liners have obiterated the barrier of the
sea. that most ancient Of separators.
Commerce knows no foreigners, but ex-
changes goods between the zones and
over the Seven Seas.
Science has no home nation. There
can be no English science, French
science, German science, Oriental science.
Science has no race, color. language,
accent, or garb. II is as universal as
the sun, as unconfined as air. There are
no squatters in the territory Of ideas.
No king, conqueror, or millionaire can
own foot of the truth or fence it in.
/ Health has no province, belongs" to
no one. to no class. The same microb0
will kill Malay that will kill German.
Bacilli speak all languages. Medicines
need no interpreters. The world of men
is bound in one law of sanitation, alimen-
tation and danger of poison.
Such thing as a national religion or
local or race religion is absurd. The
only religion thinkable must include 1.-THE
God and Father Of us all'' and must have
place for "the least of these, my
brethren"
Think Of the hell of misery our provin-
Iciaisms have wrought. Of religious
prosecutions, Of family feuds, OF clan
Iclashes, Of lowlands against highlands OF
south against north. Of whites against
blacks. of yellow men against Caucasian,
of colonists numbering instead of help
ing each other in the far wilderness, OF
wars, of the utter idiocy OF one people
trying to dominate another instead OF Coz
operating, Of the hideous slaughter now
going on in Europe, millions killing,
burning. devastating over something
they do not understand in the least!
How long, o Lord!
It may sound like far off dream, but
never until there is an ideal of world
citizenship, and an education toward 1t,
and a real passion for humanity, as
above any division Of humanity, never
shall we have peace.
And they who hope for peace or for
any permanent progress until we realize
humanity do but heal the hurt OF the
daughter Of nv people slightly, saying,
Peace, peace. when there is no peace!"
oVcTID ONT " UNyu,vu ururTn