Citizenship And the Schools

nd interesting. And yet, singular as it may seem, there is probably no class of duties resting upon our citizens that is on the whole so thoughtlessly performed. People commonly assume that they know everything on that subject. They talk upon it, not to learn, but with the hope, vain hope, of convincing others; or, if they are of the same political party, of indulging in scornful remarks concerning their opponents. Even in the great educational campaigns, the political speakers who are to instruct the people, appeal rather to prejudice than to reason. It makes and holds votes better, and it is votes they are after. But these facts (and no thoughtful person will deny that they are facts) show that there is need in the intervals between campaigns of coolly considering some of the fundamental principles of government?this for ourselves; and the threatening aspect of socialistic, or rather of Address given in 1889, heretofore not published. anarchistic movements, on the one hand, with the equally threatening aspect, in certain senses, of party strife on the other, make it imperative that our children also be carefully trained in a knowledge of the principles of citizenship. It is evident that, in the discussion of such a subject as the one before us, in so far as it concerns our public schools at least, the question should not be limited to the training of voters, but should include men, women, children?all who owe allegiance to their country and who claim p...