The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-25
AMERICAS UNFINISHED WORK.
Assocfaf1o9

lance Of this question away back AZ
the founding of this government wnen
they solemnly declared in the ordi-
nance Of 1887. Religion morality and
knowledge being necessary to ree
government and the happiness OF
mankind, schools and tho means OF
education shall forever be encour-
aged" But notwithstanding tina fact
that education is so necessary to Tree
government" and so vitality related to
national welfare. IL has never received
Just recognition by the national gov
eminent Agriculture. commerce ana
labor have been exalted to department
tai rank, each with a secretary IN
the presidents cabinet, while educa-
ton Is still tucked away in bureau
of the interior department.
The national government has made
liberal appropriations for the pro-
motion OF special education but has
failed to go right to the heart OF the
subject and encourage the states tn
the training and support OF teachers
and the promotion OF general educa-
ton. Vocational education In tmpor-
tant and should be promoted. but IT
is not so essential to the welfare OF
the nation as that every child should
have the opportunity to obtain good
common school education The
Americars1xation OF adult immigrants
and the attempted education Of adult
iliiterates In very necessary. but the
most effective place to teach Amerf-
can ideals is in our public schools. and
IL free schools privileges are guaran-
teed to every child in America. Hitter
acy win soon disappear.
Education Is so vitality essential to
the life OF our nation that patriotic
considerations demand that the
national government shall encourage
and assist the states in its promotion.
The nation, the state and the local
community should each bear a Just
share OF the necessary expense, Tor
each shares In the benefits derived In
addition TO financial aid. the national
government should give to the states
and to the people the benefits OF edu-
eational research and investigation
but the administration and control Of
the schools must be left to the states
and local communities. .Thes federal
government has no right under the
constitution TO undertake the super
vision and control OF education IN the
states.
Who Is Back OF THIS Movement.
Who! ~ supporting this movement
to establish a department OF education
and grant federal aid to the states in
prom oting educaton7 Those who
think the promotion OF human well
fare Is the first duty OF the nation.
Those who would profit by the great
lessons which the war has taught,
who believe that to secure the bies
sings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity' America must develop
through education citizen physically
and intellectually sound and imhued
with the spirit and ideals OF true
Amertcanism.
Back OF this movement II the
National Education association repre-
senting the seven hundred thousand
teachers of America Back OF 1t lis
the American Federation of Labor
representing the millions OF toilers
who want the educational advantages
for their children, Back of II are the
forward looking men who believe that
education Is essential TO democra Y
and the best Insurance against an
archy and social disorders And back
OF 1t are the noble women OF America
who have endorsed II in their clubs
and organizations and who will work
for It until II is enacted intb law.
The ultimate success of this move
ment Is certain, It may be hindered
but It cannot be stopped. II Is a part
of Americas unfinished work. The
principle is souno. The cause Is tust
It Is bound to win.