The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1922-12-22
AMERICAN EDUCA-
TlONAL WEEK
by VIM. Moe, County Supt- Of
Schoois)

as American citizen Is only sixth
grade education. Since the perpeeu-
ton Of democracy depends upon The
inteiligenee of the average citizen it
Immediately becomes most important
ia our democracy to educate these citl-
zans. If we are to continue 20 be
sixth graders rs citizens, cur demo.
e.racy will only be sixth grade de-
necracy. In the words of Lincoln:
"JJpon the subject of education. not
presuming to dictate any plan or sys-
ier respecting it, cal only say that
view It as the most important sua-
icet which we as people caa he Co.
g.'* ed In"
You will note that education is con-
s,de1ed the E,ost important su.Js"t
which people can NE engaged in. In
inc with this statement it may be
vel! to note what several prominent
individuals ha>. said III regard to
education:
Education that fails to fit men
and women to play an intelligent,
commanding part as sovereign citi-
,zens in a great industrial and pollti-
cal world fails of what must in this
day be it's prime purpose. 1t is not
enough to have understanding and
good education among few; what we
require is good understanding and
good education en- masse. We must
in the mass understand the problems
with which we must deal as demo-
cratic people. We can advance and
develop democracy but little faster
than we can advance and develop the
average level of intelligence and know
ledge within the democracy. That is
the problem that confronts modern
educators. That is the problem that
confronts democracy itself. Samuel
Gompers.
1.-THE American public school has
grown piecemeal as the country has
been built up, but has not kept pace
with the vast sweep of progress that
has been made in science, industry,
and agriculture. 1t is no criticism of
the great constructive accomplish
ments of education to recognize frank
ly it's shortcomings and deficiencies.
Our educational system can not be
considered adequate until it has OBJ
liberated illiteracy and welded our
people into one great composite
American cihzenry with common
ideals and purposes; until it has laid
the foundation for right living, for
health and physical vigor; and until
it has provided for every American
child a complete and well-trained
teacher. "-William B. Owen, Presi-
dent of the Chicago Normal College
and the National Educational Associa-
ton.
''The American idea-and it must
be maintained if We are to mitigate
disappointment and unrest-is the
ideal of equal educational opportunity,
not merely for the purpose of enabl-
ing one to know how to earn living,
and to fit into an economic status
more or less fixed, but of giving play
to talent aspiration and to develop
ment of mental and spiritual powers y
CHARLES Evans Hughes.
"Where the State has bestowed edu-
cation the men who accept it must be
content to accept it merely as a chart
ty unless he returns it to the State IN
full in the shape of good citizenship y
Theodore Roosevelt.
These statements have been made
by men of recent date well known to
us and most of them living statesmen
of today. In line with these state
ments let us observe what a few
statesmen, who were the chief found
ers of this nation, have said and the
importance they place upon public
education as fundamental in the es-
tablishmen of a democratic nation:
''The good education of youth has
been esteemed by wise men in all
ages as the surest foundation of the
happiness both of private families ana
of commonwealth" = B en- m r
Franklin.
"promote, then, as an object of pri-
mary importance, institutions for the
general diffusion of knowledge. IL
oroU ortion as the structure of gov
er,,nent gives force to public opinion
it is essential that public opinion
should be enlightened. "-Georgt
Washington.
''Wise and judicious modes of edu
cation, patronized and supported o!
communities, will draw together TIL
sons of the rich and the poor, amons
whom it makes no distinction; 1t VII
cultivate the natural genius. elevat
fine soul, excite laudable emulation t.
excel in knowledge, piety, and benevo
lence; and, finally, it will reward It
patrons and benefactors by shedding
its benign influence on the publ
mind."-John Adams.
"a system of general instructio
which shall reach every description c
our citizens from the richest to tn
Doorest( as it was the earliest, so WI
It be the latest of all the public cor
Germs in which | shall permit myse|
to take interest. Thomas Jefferson.
Democracy and Educ cation.
A democracy renews aud perpetl
ates itself through it's schools. Ever
man, woman and child worthy OF tn
name American should give, there
fore, willing and substantial suppol
to the school of their native or adop
ed land; confident in the belief ths
the privileges they enjoy are dt
largely to the teachers of the ian.
to whom no sacrifice has been, nor
too great that men and women sna
be taught to carry on the Ideals {
the founders of this Nation and tt
social practices that have been pr.
gressively developed in harmony VII