The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-09-08
Where Education Fails.

All over the country. at ever-in-
creasing cost, we are constructing
splendid buildings for the service OF
primary and higher instruction OF all
the children and young men and wo-
men. We are training teachers from
the scholastic standpoint, and are try
Ing TO make the schools serve In q
better way the individual prepara-
tion for industry. commerce, and agri-
culture. But we are almost wholly
falling to utilize the educational sys-
tern for the specific training OF citizens
In their various duties as such. The
consequence In that the standards and
methods OF our political and organized
life are lower than those OF our private
life. There Is perfect consistency be-
tween the ideals OF those who giori-
~ peace. and the aims OF those who
would train every American boy to
be ready to help maintain peace In any
time of emergency or danger. We are
not getting anything like the social
and public values that we ought to be
reaping from our investment I'm schools
and education. Scholarship is not
popular In our universities and COL
leges. Athletic life furnishes no prop
or outlet. because IL Is vicarious and
auasi-professionai. A few young
gladiators monopolize the athletic ac-
uvity OF our institutions. and the vast
majority are taught to look on and
yen for the maintenance OF college or
school spirit.
Thus our great institutions. though
more and more costly ip their ap-
pOintments and maintenance are pain
fully aware that they are not produc-
ing tho results that ought TO be mani
fest Many OF their students-a pos
sible majority-cannot write a we'll
phrased or correctly spelled letter.
They do not know Bible. or Shakes
peare. or Charles Dickens. They
are not capable OF reading the editor
ial page OF n good newspaper. This
criticism does not apply to all. but
To what In at least a good many large
institutions must include fully half of
the undergraduates. Ii would be un-
just TO locate blame I'm any specific
quarter. The faults lie deep in our
current life. and are widespread. There
are great resources Of worth and OF
power latent I'm those very youths who
do not find themselves absorbed In the
study OF textbooks. or held to discip-
line by the sternness OF the football
coach. But there Is a gospel OF social
and public duty. accompanied by cer-
tain practical applications. that might
be used to bring out the earnestness
and personal worth OF thousands Of
these young men. They should be
strongly impressed with the gravity of
the issues OF this momentous time in
which we live. Without much II any
additional burden to the taxpayers.
every one of these students of high
schools. normal schools. colleges. and
universities could he 80 taught and
trained IA to be well prepared TO exer-
cise many OF the usual. and some OF
the unsual. duties OF citizenship. Such
training would benefit students In
their health and morals. would give
them a finer sense OF private as well
as public duty. and would furnish
them with various kinds OF practical
experience and knowledge that would
rebound to the welfare OF our political
and governmental iife.-Review of
Reviews for September.