The Washington times., 1920-02-06
Leurningt to
Be BeAmericuns
-HERE is altogether too much

THERE is altogether too much
vagueness about the so
called AmericaLism which
many emotional speakers and
writer's are clamoring for today.
Also there is worse haziness as
to the proffered methods OF teach
ing national loyalty to the young.
From more than score OF sources
/ have recently evolved a scheme
for teaching a practical civics and
constructive philanthropy.
few high schools are already ap-
proximating this plan as outliLed
below and at least one instructor
has agreed to give the matter a
careful test.
To begin with, let me say that /
trace the major part of the Boil
shevism and the red" element In
our population to ignorance, preju-
dice and superstition growing out
of faulty or wholly neglected
school instruction. The question
naires and the researches made
during the war in respect TO the
mind and opinion of drafted men
revealed a startling Ignorance OF
the most elemental principles and
ideals of our Government. There
fore, our task is not so much to
drive out anarchy as TO teach ii
out.
A one-term course in every gram
mar grade and night school and an
advanced course in every high
school, with the daily papers and
the current events magazine as the
only texts.
A classification of the news items
t,A
A division Of the class into three
groups, each to report daily upon
one of the news classifications, and
all to rotate once per week.
a requirement that each pupil
bring daily a brief outline report
of what he considers as the most
important event in his classifica-
ton, and to be prepared to explain
the matter.
Now here is plan that may be
called "Creative Americanism," as
il tends to grow the ideals and
purposes OF American Government
in the minds of the young.
In my opinion, IL is futile to try
to teach youths practical civics by
means of abstract definitions and
outlines Americanism is not a
fixed or dead definition, but living
and growing entity. We can never
force the ideals of American Govern
ment into the minds of tho young,
but we can lead the young gradually
into a consciousness of these ideals
through a course somewhat as oGt-
lined above.
Those who have tested the idea
of teaching civics through the use
of current events are apparently
all convinced of the practical worth
of the method. They agree, how
ever, that It is difficult to get the
pupil started, but that he finally
becomes an enthusiastic learner.
There is ample assurance, they also
agree, that the ordinary fourteen
year-old may be successfully In
Quoted into the study of current
events by applying the practical
methods herein outlined.
But if our scheme finally develops
into a national standard method
there will still remain the difficult
problem of instruction in Ameri-
canism for the many youths who
quit school before reaching the
grammar Grade. 1t Is my idea that
not only should every one OF these
be forced into night schools and
continuation ScnooiS, as We are moro
and more attempting, but that the
first required course in such a
school should be an elementary
study OF current events.
Plant Americanism in tho mind
OF Young America by means OF re-
uuiring him daily To live In
thought Of what this great coun-
try is attempting TO do and to be-
come. Have Aim thus actually par
ticipato in tho ideas and tho ideals
OF America IN tho making. At
length he will become a part OF tho
nation and factor In it's growth
and progress TO him Bolshev'sm
or anarchy will become an ugly and
hateful thing, because u will signify
an attack upon his scauired
idealism. upon a sacred pact Of bis
own personality.