Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1918-02-07
MAKING GOOD CITIZENS
National Security League Would RsVe'
Iutlonizs Civic Education.

lutionixs Civic Education.
Impressed by a surprising lack OF
individual responsibility in the govern
msBt among citizens in all parts OF the
country, which has been startlingiy
demonstrated by the nationwide cam
paign OF Patriotism Through Education
which II is conducting, the National
Security League is taking steps which
Il hopes will ultimately lead TO the reT'
authorizing and yital.zing Of the en-
tire civic teaching In the schools OF the
United States. This question was one
of the principal matters considered al
the recent conference Of educators held
under the auspicca ~ the League AT the
Bar Association In New York recently.
Carrying out the concsnsus OF opinion
AZ the leading thinkers " the country
who attended this conference, the So
curlty league has laid before the prin
eipsl educational Institutions of tho
country a plan FOR the creation OF a
National Civic Education Faculty for
the consideration ~ this problem
The Leagues idea is embodied In the
following letter, which has been sent
by It to the heads Of the principal uni
vsrsities and colleges OF the country,
educational foundations and state edu-
cation departments;
I'm response to an invitation issued
~ the National Security League, dele
gates from eighteen important col
Isges, universities and other educa-
tional foundations recently met ct tie
Association OF the Bar in New York
City. The meeting was called by the
lea que because three years OF expert
sace have convinced us that a work OF
vital Importance can he done for
America and for the cause OF free gov
srnmeat everywhere II the great ecu-
eatiOnal forces OF the nation can be
brought to bear upon certain definite
problems which can he evolved only
~ national and international thinking.
system Has Failed.
"Our educators have been intent
WDon local or upon strictly technical
Srohlsms OF education. No consider
able body OF them has been charged
with the duty OF thinking upon the
educational problems which are dis
anctly national or upon those, every
Day more apparent, which may be
called International Our decentrallzed
system. admirable in many regards,
has failed seriously TO attack the
greatest side OF public education the
relation OF the individual to the ma
zion, and to the nations,
After O discussion Of various as
5ssts Of the problem 1CT 20 preserve
ear dsssntraliEed system Of education
and yet face these questions, the dele.
gates by unanimous consent Instructed
the ofiiceFs Of the National Security
League To request certain OF our great
colleges and universities TO consider
with full salary. one Of thsir ablest
professors Ia Join with those from
other institutions ia u systematic study
o. this problem. There Is pressing
nssd for this work and II merits the
best efforts OF all institutions estab-
iished to foster education for . free
people.
sit was also the unanimous opinion
Of the delegates that the problem OF in
tsrpreting the meaning OF the war 10
the American aople is one demanding
the constant lab i OF able leaders OF
thought and one in which all educs-
tional institutions are vitality inter
ested. These two lines OF activity
seemed to the members Of the confer.
snce ample justification for requesting
the donation of intellectual leadership
from the great educational establish
ments Of our country. The problems
Al the war are great. but the problems
Il the coming days Of peace viii be no
les 20, ana the educators Of the eoun.
ny should form their plan Of campaign
Win the least possible delay.
.Puhlie essvies"
'ThA 10 . public service SO great
end 50 important a. 10 require tbs
whole time and attention Of body Of
car ablest educators, and We ask you
% DO your part. We should be glad to
cooperate IN any way. our sole aim
being the accomplishment Of the
work"