Chicago world. (Chicago, Ill.) 1918-????, 1948-06-12
THE COMMON
DEFENSE
ZEAL FOR AMERICAN
DEMOCRACY


to meet. the challenge of totali-
tarianism, called Zeal For
American Democracy, has been
inaugurated by the United Sta
ties Office Of Education under
the leadership TO Commissioner
John w. Studebaker.
First and foremost in the pro-
gram Is, the conviction that led
ucaton can help to strengthen
democracy at home" Attention
must be concentrated on keep
ng democracy vibrant and alive
to expanding ocal and economic
needs.'- The general level of ed
ucation throughout the country
must be high and all who can
qualify for it by their own mer-
it mus thave the opportunity to
do so. Physical and mental health
must be improved.
Knowing that Communism.
like Fascism, seeks to undermine
confidence in American princi-
pies and institutions, DR.. Stude-
baker told the National Council
for Social Studies.
do give young people a clear
understanding Of the essential
elements of the American dem
ocratic way of life.
"Do develop a true apprecia-
ton on the part of American
youth of their glorius American
heritage of freedom wrung from
the bitter struggle OF centuries.
do contrast very concretely
the philosophy and practices of
democracy with those of dicta-
torship.
rDo help young people to re-
cognize the elements of Commu-
mist strategy and to be intelli-
gent and skillful in thwarting
that strategy.
DO. give them a vision of the
possibilities Of future world of
OF freedomf, justice, peace and
plenty.
do give them an understand
ing and appreciation of the ethi-
cal and spiritual values. as well
as the material benefits, Of the
American Way Of Life.
do inspire them with the re-
solve and with the zeal to do
their full lpart in helping to i'm
prove the working of democracy.
ITO suggest that the working
of American democracy can be
improved is not a confession of
failure; nor is it to belittle our
accomplishments, as some people
would enormously suppose. Our
American democratic ideals of
government and society have
produced the highest material
standards of living for our
people OF any ever recorded on
the face Of the earth. Of our
other accomplishments, in clu-
tural az well as material affairs
we can rightfully be proud. We
need make no apologies for the
American way Of life, for the
ideals toward which we strive.
While. less than perfect. while
in need Of many Improvements,
our woy Of life has within it.
self the mans for it's peaceful
and lawful fulfillment. No sys-
tenn involving fallible human
beings will ever attain perfect
ion.. But measured against any
rival system of society, Ameri-
can democracy is so far superior
as to- warrant bur staunchest
support against all enemies and
traducers, either foreign or
domestic.
This must be and is edu-
cations answer to the challenge
of Communism and to any other
form of totalitarianism."
You can do two things: 1.
Urge your local Board of Edu-
cation to cooperate with the
United States Office Of Educa-
tons Zeal For American Dem
ocracy program. 2. Write to the
Superintendent of Documents,
United States Government
Printing Office, Washington rs
d. c. for copies Of the. Zeal For
American Democracy issue Of
School Life-10 cents per ccopy
-25 per cent discount on 100 or
more copies to the same address.