Civic Righteousness And Civic Pride

e splendid individualistic qualities of heroism and self-assertion which are incarnated in the pioneer. The pioneer must act wholly upon his own initiative. He must be able to go out into the wilderness with his axe and his rifle and recreate civilization. He must possess courage, industry, patience, skill. He must have the genius of the inventor, he must be his own physician and priest, he must be undaunted by failure, the grim spectres of suffering, of hunger and cold must not terrify him. Within his breast there must be a dynamic force which pushes him on as the engines of the ocean liner force her against tide and current across the sea. i Preached at Mount Holyoke College on Washington's Birthday. So great have been the tasks accomplished by the pioneer in the building and preserving of the nation that his qualities have become embodied in the creed of American life. The American child is taught that he must have push, initiative, enterprise. He must " get there," in the vernacular of the street. By what route is immaterial so long as he " arrives " with a fortune. He must reach the top of the ladder no matter what becomes of those whom he pushes aside in his upward ascent. He is taught from the beginning, to cultivate and worship the Ego. No matter how many fail he must win. Within limitations these qualities are admirable. The child should be taught to cultivate concentration, persistence, ambition. He should be taught to have faith in himself and ...