Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-08-15
Americanize Americans.


Much has been written lately in the
newspapers and magazines about the de-
STABILITY of having Dur citizens possess a
fair knowledge of our institutions. For the
most part, however, the discussion has had
reference to educating foreigners who come
to our shores along American lines of
political thought and action. as the best
safeguard against the spread of bolshevism
and other evil doctrines which the immi-
grant is so prone to bring along with him
as the principal part Of his luggage. Nobody
will quarrel with this purpose, since it is
an effort to avert a real menace. and it
deserves everybody's cordial support.
But, so restricted. it falls far short of
meeting the real needs of the country.
There are great many Americans who
have only vague conception of the funda-
mental principles Of our constitutional
government, of their history and their
bearing upon the daily life Of the people,
and of the obligations Of the individual
citizen with respect to them. The educa-
tion Of our youth is incomplete and lop-
sided in so far as it neglects to teach these
things and to inculcate genuine citizenship
as paramount element in building up
the character of those upon whom the
destinies of the country ultimately rest.
1t seems to be taken for granted-in our
public schools. at least-that one by the
time he becomes voter will have absorbed,
from public discussion and the press, suffi-
cient knowledge Of our institutions to en-
able him to form accurate opinions and to
act for the promotion of the LARGE and
enduring interests Of the State and the
nation. But the youth thus left to drift
is. in most cases. the victim of environ
ment. Most of the discussion he hears
and, of the comment he reads in the
papers is of partisan character. designed
to influence his judgment in particular
direction. 1t is rarely broad and disinter-
ested and seldom educational in its pur-
pose and results. What one gets from it
is bias which may lead him sadly astray.-
not the solid information and argument
which would be safe guide in the forma-
ton Of his judgment and the shaping Of
his political conduct.
The education in Americansm must, of
course, begin in the school room. The
justification for universal education at the
public expense is found only in the effort
to qualify the young to assume the duties
Of citizenship. and manifestly their educa-
tion fails in so far as il neglects to teach
the specific duties which one owes to the
community. Important and useful as much
of the curriculum Of our schools is in itself,
it would be made much more important
and useful il its connection with the quail
fcations of citizenship were clearly defined
and knowledge Of institutions made part
Of the daily lessons of the pupil. Proper
reverence for constitutions and laws and
proper respect for those in authority cannot
be expected Of people not educated in
the essentials Of citizenship apart from all
other branches Of knowledge.
The law should require these subjects tC
be taught as regular part of the curricu-
lum after the child has reached certain
grade in the public schools; and, in view
Of the complications Of modern life, the
matter is of more far-reaching consequence
than ever before and will be Of increasing
Importance in the social and political de
velopments Of the future.
We realize that the beneficent results o
such a course in the public schools wouit
be slow in appearing and that difficultie
lie in the way of its Inauguration. 1t i
probable that only a small percentage 0
the teachers now in the schools are com
petent to teach even the elementary phase
Of the subject, and there are very few tex
books available for the earlier stages O
the course. But these are difficulties whic
can be overcome in comparatively shor
time If the State Board of Education wi
take up the subject promptly and press
with vieor. There are few books whic
are easily within the comprehension @
competent teachers. Judge Cooley's "Prin
ciples OF Constitutional Law" is sma
volume admirably and tersely written b
one Of the great legal writer's of the coun
try. Bacon's THE American Plan of Gov
eminent" is more elaborate and explain
each provision of the Constitution, as ia
as possible in the language Of she Suprem
Court. These might well be Supplement-
by DR.. Goodnow's Principles of Constit,
tional Government" which compares an
distinguishes ours from the other const
tutional governments Of the world. 1t
elementary in its treatment and write
with great clearness and precision. A
intelligent and interested reader could mas
ter the three works in comparatively shol
time.
With this material at hand for begin
ming. it seems to us that no greater benef
could be conferred upon the State by tn
Board Of Education than to inaueurate Il
course Of study we have suggested. As "
see it. in this era of conflicting interest
and international complications. and esp,
cially in view Of the responsibilities Of tn
United States to the world. as it is elaine
there is no greater need than the thorough
paced Americanization Of Americans
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