New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-09-07
DEMOCRACY'S PROBLEM
| IS IN ITS SCHOOLS
BY DR.. CLAUDE n. VAN TYNE.
Of the University Of Michjo,n.

/
| Of the University Of Michigan.
| EDITORS NOTE.-The defects Il
our educational system pointed out b.
Dr. Van Tyne are the principal target
at which the National Securit,
Leagues great nationwide campaipl
OF Patriotism Through Education" Il
aimed.1
Certain fundamental American ide
ais must be impressed upon the Amer
lean youth. The crisis through which
| this nation recently passed before 1,
| could be brought to whole hea rted
support OF war begun for the pur.
pose OF preserving the most vital prin.
ciples upon which 1t was founded has
aroused educators everywhere like a
fre-bell in the night. to understand
that we must employ our educational
machinery more than we have in the
past to Undue every American citizen
with comprehension Of democratic
principles. ~,'--..
II we can find some definite means
OF securing an understanding Of demo-
cratic ideals, we may expect as q
result a patriotic zeal in defending
them. II Americanism is a belief in
and habit Of supporting such ideals,
then we may hope that such a process
will produce 1t. 3
Opposing Theories.
The Americans theory of the state
Is that it exists to protect him in the
enjoyment Of life, liberty and the pur-
suit OF happiness; that the individual
10 the important thing, not the state.
An opposing theory, and it happens to
be the German theory, is that tho state
IL the important thing, that to It
the individual owes everything, life
and liberty and even blind obedience
of orders to do cruel and brutal acts.
Why not teach that difference to boys
and girls instead Of mere dry facts
about the organs of government and
their functions. Let us not be so shy
and modest about the virtues Of our
political system. The Germans are
not. Let us say frankly that democ-
racy implies nation in peace, that
autocracy implies a nation in arms.
We can teach frankly, too, that our
great principle Of local self-govern-
ment is wholly at conflict with the
German ambitions for world-empire.
and with her whole tendency Of gov
eminent in provinces like Poland and
"Teach Too Little"
1t is the spirit of our institutions
which we have failed to impart to the
rising generations. We have been
afraid to state that our democratic
philosophy uphOlds the Christian spirit
OF brotherhood, asserts the wisdom
OF united action for the good of all,
and seeks to save the weak from the
aggression Of the strong. We have
refrained from saying that the auto
cratic philosophy operated to deaden
the sentiment of humanity; that in
affairs Of state 1t sneered at mercy
and gentleness, at love and kind
ness; that the foundation Of that
was the stern law Of
the survival Of the fittest; that. to
be concrete, Belgium, weak state,
had no rights when she stood in the
way Of Germany, big state.
We have taught the American youth
all too little about the foundations Of
their liberty. The story of the blood
and suffering Of the builders, Of the
tempest that ragged them while they
built, Of the martyrs who were the
lrchitects Of those foundations. This
history has been too little told. Auto
rats see to it that their people are
impressed with their rulers virtues
md those Of their ancestors, but de-
nocracies leave their citizens to take
heir liberties ~ they do the air they
reath. Republics are ungrateful only
'ecause there Il nobody whose inter.
ct 1t 10 to inculcate that gratitude.