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About The Conservative (Nebraska City, Neb.) 1898-1902 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 1901)
WPJlr" ' " " " * 'V- ' 'Cbc Conservative. OUR SCHOOLS. It was a happy and timely thought which moved the editor of the Outlook to give in the last issue "A Study of English Schools by nn American Teach er" and "The Impressions of an Ameri can School by an English 'M. A. ' " Neither article hns much critical value , for confessedly they were both written from a very harried and partial obser vation. But they are good reading and they set us a-thinking in these days of school openings. The American was cither very unfortunate in the location of his English studies , or else the com mon schools"board schools'as they are called there , are -in many respects in ferior to ours. The Englishman uufor- | , " ; tunately bases his study on a single visit to a private boys' school in Massa chusetts. But candor compels the admission - mission that this Englishman had keen eyes and what he saw in this one boys' school may well be taken as representa tive of much in the life of the American youth. He was particularly impressed with the lack of self-restraint found in American boys and the attendant in accuracy and hurry. He also noticed a "conspicuous harshness and loudness of tf/vjj , the boy voices , " although he leaves us to infer that morality and the standards of personal purity are higher among the American boys than those of the same class in England. The question of a proper curriculum in our grammar and high schools is much discussed in these days. On the one hand there is a ceaseless call for change and reform , on the other hand a constant cry against fads and fanciful studies. r' . "We will not undertake to discuss problems that belong to experts , but we do venture to suggest at the beginning of another school year that the most obvious needs in the schools of America , public and private , today is courtesy , self-control and an interest in study as such , not simply in study as a means of -winning the diploma and passing up while in school , and of making money and getting into "society" after the school days are over. The average American graduate of both sexes turns to life with two strong passions ; one is a passion to make money without work , or , at least , to earn a living without drudgery , and the other is to have a good time. Money and fun are the main quests of the American graduates of intermediate schools today. The boy and girl graduate are up in academic slang. They are well versed in athletic lore , have a full quiver of puns and jokes and can sing college songs , but as a class they are more interested in "parties" than in poetry. They have moi-e tune and money for the dance than for the lecture. And they are sel dom seen , with a favorite book , seeking cpmpanionship .with genius in solitude. America today pleads with the school teacher to make ethical the instincts of lor children , to spiritualize their joys , to refine their manners , to soften their voices. The school teachers resume their work under discouraging circumstances. The ; wo months and more of vacation have done much for their children physically they come back in good blood and fine form but seldom have they done much for them spiritually. They come back more boisterous and more selfish because generally the summer is a season of self- ndulgenco to children and too much see : o the parents who can afford to leave ; ho holy burdens of the home behind ; hem for a time. "It always takes me at least two weeks in September to get the children back to the studious habits and the attentive attitude which they lad in June when the school closed , " said a wise teacher of long experience to the writer in a recent conversation. In our public schools , at least , relig ion must not be taught directly , for ob vious reasons. It is too closely allied to theology , about which there is too great a difference of opinion among the tax payers to make it possible without en croaching upon the rights of some. But inorality can be taught directly and re ligion mast be taught indirectly in a greater or less degree. Let the school teachers realize their responsibility in this direction. Ruskiu said there were but three immaterial essentials to life , i. e. , Admiration , Hope , Love. Let our schools give to tha children these "three essentials , " and as much more as they may. Let them give what they may of anything else ; failing to give them these they are but poor school teachers and have not prepared their students either for college or for life. The di ploma that does not carry with it the assurance of development in these lines is a delusion and a snare , a mockeiy to the child and a disappointment to the teacher and the parent. Unity. FROM A LONDON OLD BOY. While the editor of this magazine was attending the 1901 session of the Grand Lodge of the A. O. U. W. , held in Ne braska City , he had the pleasure of vis iting with J. Sterling Morton at his home , "Arbor Lodge. " Mr. Morton , by the way , is a great tree culturist and is the father of "Arbor Day , " one of the great holidays in Nebraska ( from which state the custom has spread all over the United States ) ; the school children all over the state planting trees with appro priate ceremonies. Thus Nebraska will soon be a forest state , instead of a tree less prairie , over which the cactus rolled with tireless energy. Mr. Morton is also editor of "The Conservative" one of the brightest and best gold-standard Democratic weeklies in this part of the country. During the conversation it developed that Mr. Morton had more than a pass ing interest in our old home town and its various institutions , asking many questions regarding them. He then re marked "You know Morton , my son , Joy ton , was educated in Helmuth College , London. " Where the boys receive their educa tion and their first right start in life is always a cherished spot through life. While talking with Mr. Morton , the state archaeologist , Mr. E. E. Blackman - man of Lincoln , came in , and it was not long before the London Old Boy had found another real old London 'amily. "Ho is a direct descendant of jrideon Blackmail , who moved from Liower Canada to Upper Canada about 1810 , and entered a tract of laud half way between London and Westmin ster. " We are to have a very interest ing story from the pen of Mrs. Blackman - man , who was born in London. In this respect the editor would like to hear : roni the families of the Aliens , Brooks and Halls , old neighbors and friends of ; he Blackman family of the olden days. London Old Boy. ' Languages Taught by Matt Textbook * tench you to read and understand the language. The na live teacher's voice , through he Kdlson Standard Phonograph graph , teaches the exact pro nunciation. French , Spanish or Clennan. Circular tree. Inlrrnntlnnal . Correspondence .Schools , IloilaDO. Srnmlc > nl'n.i HARDINC & HOGHSTETLER , REAL ESTATE LOANS AND INSURANCE. , , TOO CENTRAL AVB. BELL PHONE PS NEBRASKA CITY NEB. Coated Lion Coffee is pure , uncoated coffee fresh , strong , well flavored. 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