Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-20
LEWIS r. HARLEY
On the Duty Of the Community


"IN CONSIDERING the duty of the
L community toward the student of SUI
pcror ability we find n safe guide III the
sentiments of DR.. Frederick d. Maurice. of
England" says Lewis II. Harley. principal
of the Philadelphia High School for Girls.
All experience Is against the notion
that the means to produce supply OF gooI
ordinary men Is to attempt nothing higher,
DR.. Maurice says. Aim ut nothing noble.
make your system such that n great man
may be formed by it, and there will be- a
manhood in your little men OF which you
did not dream.
Il am inclined to attach considerable
weight to the opinions of Dr. Maurice, be-
cause he was the pioneer among English re-
fol mcrs in making IT possible for the work
ingman to secure anything moro than the
simplest rudimcnts of mn education.
I'm 1854 he founded the Working Mons
College in London, the forerunncr Of Uni
v,rsity Extension and the present Workers
Educational Association of England, which
is demanding n share of the best culture
that the schools can afford. 1t is likely
that the humanitics are to be saved Tor
England through the activities of this asso-
citation, which is arousng among the COM
mon people n conscious feeling that there
is something woefully lacking IN n mere
industrial education.
Influence Is Widespread
The association now maintains more
than 800 centcrs, where members Of the
university faculties arc regularly engaged
in giving advanced instruction TO those who
claim equal scholastic privileges with per-
scns more favorably situated, What was
one day an educational theory, n subject of
academic discussion becomes the next day
the practice of a nation. BY welcoming the
toilcrs of England into the intellectual ars
toclacy untold fields of competition and op-
lortunity are opened, and even in the ranks
Of the lowy many a child Of superior ability
will be benefited by this liberal policy.
'Why does not similar demand come
from the workers of Amcricat AS far rs
ideals are concerned ours is Stil Nation
in the making the development of which is
impcdcd by the lack of racial unity and by
the mrrssant uuibbling among the schoolmen
of this country. If the doctors of the law
fail to agree. confusion of thought must
inevitably prevail in tn" minds of the
PASSES. \ controversial atmosphere sur
rounds the whole question, and we some
times forget that the real battle is against
ignorance and not against our fellow cdu-
Gators.
But we shall finally reach the conclusion
that the venerable Dr. Rein pointed out
years ago: Let the old quarrel between
humanism and realism become friendly
rivalry. We are bound to admit the fact
that one section of our people should care
fully preserve the historical continuity of
our culture while another section is stccped
in modern ideas. Both enjoy the same free
dom, the same light and th" same air, there
fore let the various types of schools demon
stratc what strength they can give to the
Nation.
This is the sancst bit Of pedagogical nd-
vice that | have read in many a day. An
educational program of this kind offers the
widest range of opportunity. and its adoption
cannot fail to inspire new form Of conf
dcnCc in the sincerity of our purposes
Duty to Special Cases
"What, then, is our duty toward the stu
dent of superior ability? DO we fully grasp
the idea that the spirit Of democracy is
bound to decline when we find no one elc-
waited to leadership: The more democratic
the State the greater the necessity for lend.
crs, due to wide competition and keen cx-
citement TO individual genius. BE it rcmcm-
brrcd, also, that the more Democratic tho
form of the State the greater the need for
the reflective type of knowledge, TO serve as
check on the passions of men and to guide
the masses IN social and political thought.
The citizens Of the Democracy must ho
srhuOlcd in that knowledge which is based
ON reflection and experience. and the system
Of education should include provisions for
the careful training Of those blessed with
superior abilities, enabling them to assume
tn" leadership that thG state requires. We
are by no means establishing an aristocrntIc
principle when we make a special plea for
the student of Unusual mental capacity.
THE same opportunity Is offered to all.
indeed during. S"rviC" Of twenty five wears
in a large high school | have witnessed innny
n boy endowed with tine qualities Of mind
struggle through poverty and want finally
to become leader among men We sLomid
not look upon institutions like the Wninut
Hills High school, Cincinnati. as existing
for the rich alone. Schools of this tvne
favor no class or social condition; thcy nrr
in fact the finest expression Of our foith r.,
democracy. They are II definite answer ~
the aristocratir pretcnsons of the OlJ
World.
Investment Repaid Many Fold
II shall always remember the sentiments
article published years ago in tho North
American Review. He asserts that riiin'
and States are richly repaid for the moneS
expended on the higher education of Tho
citizens. He declares that in many In.