Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-08-31
BIG POSSIBILITIES

1t was particularly proper that the teachers
of this community should hear in an authorita-
tive way something of the work of the war yes.
terday because in theil organization and in
them Individually lie perhaps the biggest po-
tentalities for the dissemination of the prin-
ciples which are animating the American and
the Allied forces in the worlds greatest conflict
Next to the parents the teachers are the in
dividuals who come into closest contact with
the youth of the land and it can not be dis
puted that the youth present the most promis-
ing field for instruction as to the national ideals
There exist no organizations of parents, how
ever, unless it be very local one; but the teach
ers are organized, and their organizations fur
fish Just the field where intensive work can be
done along patriotic lines.
In the stress of other duties and in times
when industries, flushed with war business, are
offering high wages and reckoning to the teach
ers to come with them, we often wonder if the
teacher appreciates what his possibilities are
We wonder if he understands that by reason
Of the material which he handles he stands in
one Of the most responsible positions which life
permits any man to fill; we wonder if he APP
praciates the significance of the fact that the
parents are willing to entrust to him their most
valued possessions, and entrust them at a time
when their minds are most open to receive good
or bad; we wonder if he knows that his impress
viii be the one to remain longest and stand out
the most boldly in the later life and works of
the children. Immediately war work, with all
the excitement which attaches to it, is aIluring
but it never has been and never will be denied
that in Importance school work out-distances
any amount of clerical war assistance
We do not forget that the big inducement in
war work is the salary; and we do not forget
that the teachers are miserably underpaid,-
shamefully underpaid, not only in war time but
in peace times. But the teacher may get some
consolation for his financial loss from the fact
that he is engaged in work whose essential
ity cannot be challenged, and that without his
work the war organization, requiring as it does,
the trained minds Of the country, would be i'm
possible
The Allied campaign is more than one of
arms No one doubts that ultimately the Allied
forces will be victorious But much remains to
be done after that America first of all tried to
win Russia by methods of persuasion and in
strection. Beneath the show of armed force
lies the fundamental motive Of the American
operations: to spread the ideas of liberal de-
mocracy throughout the world, peaceably where
possible, by force where peace methods are of
no avail. After the war will come the pro-
gram Of education for the nations of the world
the American ideals viii triumph, in the wake OF
the triumph Of American arms But this period
Of preparation for the spread of the democratic
ideals abroad is the time when our own people
need to learn the lesson. America has been tha
butt Of some not entirely unjustifed criticism
to the effect that America can not talk democ
racy when mobs rules This education of tht
youth in the tradition and principles of Amer
lean life is a necessary preliminary to an eff
fectual program abroad. To the teachers falls tn
duty, the supremely important duty of instruct
ing these young people The Government real
ICES this; and for that reason it has seen fit t.
urge the teachers to stand by their work dur
ing the war.
In the moments when we attempt to give t
The various yocations a scale Of relative value
we see how important this work is As elias
we usually underestimate its value, we believe
certainly we do not give it its financial deserts
But though we silently pass it over, we wis
the teachers to understand that we are pre-
foundly conscious Of the service they are rer
dering.