The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-01
CATHOLIC COUNCIL
ISSUES A PRIMER
Port Of Nation Wide Cam
paign to Advance Civic
Education.

gsHINGToN, Aug. 5I.-As am.
numtlou IN It's nationwide fight loT
.fIc education OF the nine million
uteign- porn and llhterate people in
ne United states, the National CATH
5dc War Courcll To-Day issued q pa
4iotit primer, entitled "4he Flnda'
nentais OF Citizenship" from its
Headquarters Ia TINS city. In less
man lItty pages OF short, simple sem
lsnces, the history and idea OF Amer
ican democracy, as well as the needs
and rights Of It's people are outlined
ID This little book, with brief eXpia-
nations Of suGn subjects as puOllc
Education, heath, legislation, repre-
sentauon, the courts, foreign rs!a-
tons, fraud prevention insurance,
taxation, naturalization and duties OF
citizenship. Translated into foreign
languages or quoted by thousands or
the trained native speakers VINO are
enlisted In this civic campaign the
contents OF this handbook on Amer
lean democracy will be placed be-
fore every man, woman aud child IN
this country whose civic ignorance
might make them easy prey for Dol.
sheyiki propaganda. 1t includes cop
les OF the Declaration of IEdepsn-
dence and the Constitution OF the
United States.
Declaring that "our country is the
land Of freedom and opportunity" and
that knowledge Of It's Constitution
Is necessary to the American-born as
well as to the foreign-born IF they,
too, are to take up the task Of faith
full citizenship" this primer Of pa
triotism deYotes itself at the outset
to "the. general work Of reconstruc-
ton in-citizenship." 1t explains that
"the citizen who does not possess
some knowledge Of our democratic in.
stituions may easily become the prey
Of the demagogue or Of persons who
are anxious to advance their own in
terests at the expense Of the people"
Democracy requires Of each man
a great respect for order; a more un-
selfish consideration Of every mans
rights and advantage" asserts this
new pamphlet under the heading
The needs Of the people," Each
citizen is responsible for the conduct
Of the government. He is part OF the
state, not merely q subject Of 1t. The
government is his. II it is bad, it
Is his fault He has put power into
the wrong hands"
1.-THE first duty of every citizen is
10 vote at every election" it is de-
elared in chapter on "The citizens
part" He has no right to shirk this
simple duty. No one has right to
complain about how things are done
4 he fails to vote. It is not fair play
to the rest Of the people when any
man does not help to do the work
which benefits all. Every citizen
should study public questions enough
10 vote wisely, and he should take the
Time, above all things, TO learn about
the men who are to be voter for as
public officers. He should follow
only those leaders who are true to
the peoples interest"
After sketching the rise Of democ-
faey in this country and the part TAX
~ ~ ~ ny NdFIOuS IUTelSQ l6dubESD
the pamphlet says: 1.-THE European
struggle for liberty 81 marked often
times by terrible injustice by dis
respect for law, by public disorder
and public disaster. In its history,
Injustice Is often revenged by injus
tice, not overcome by equality of OPP
portuntly. We see a noteworthy and
,tpHpile example Of license-not lib.
eIty-in Russia today. All these at
tempts( are endeavors after liberty
Ind in that measure are praiseworthy.
when they grow to lawlessness, they
must be condemned by every lover
Of democracy"
Millions of copies of this patriotic
primer will be printed and distributed,
not only in the channels Of this civic
'iaducation campaign of the National
Catholic War Council, but through
syeFy civic agency, in the work Of
which 1t would prove of value.