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In concluding this account of general school
work in Canton, a word or two may not be amiss in relation to the perpetuity
of the nation’s “System of Public Schools,” not only here but elsewhere. These
schools, so prominent a feature in almost every district, town and city of the
United States, are American in origin, and are essentially American in
character. I say American in origin, for it is a historical fact that
the first Free Public School in this country was taught in Dorchester, Mass.,
and the Boston correspondent of a Chicago paper, in its issue of February 8th,
1894, says: “Near the corner of Pleasant and Cottage streets in Dorchester,
stood, 260 years ago, a little log house which was used for town meetings, and
close by it another was put up, and in this building was taught the first
free Public School in the world. A meeting of the citizens of
Dorchester has just been held, taking preliminary steps toward the erection of a
monument on the spot where these buildings stood.” And
since, by slow, progressive degrees, such schools have become an acknowledged
institution of our entire country.
But they have enemies, and while in many localities
efforts have been made to destroy the harmonious working of these schools, it is
gratifying to state that in Canton, as yet, nothing of the kind has been
attempted, and it is devoutly to be hoped that citizens will strive to preserve
intact, only more and more improved in efficiency as the years pass by,
our Public School System. And not only this, but all true Americans and lovers
of their country, should use their influence to its utmost extent to prevent the
overthrow or perversion, by any foreign power or people, of any
institutions which have been of such incalculable advantage to our own citizens,
and by them freely extended to those who come to us from foreign nations.
If “eternal vigilance” is to be the price paid for our
privileges, let there be no lack of that quality, especially in regard to our
Public Schools.
Educate the children and youth, both native and
foreign born, in principles of the purest Christian morality and the most
inflexible patriotism, and when entitled to use the elective franchise they will
not betray or endanger the liberty and welfare of these United States.
It is true that the native born children of the
Republic must wait twenty-one years before they are permitted to vote, but this
period, utilized as above indicated, will result in more thorough preparation
for the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, while it is to be regretted
that so many ignorant adult foreigners obtain this privilege so easily, and with
very little qualification for its exercise. Yet it would seem only reasonable
that if native born citizens wait twenty-one years before being permitted to
vote, those who come to us from other nations should with perhaps a few
exceptions, wait at least until they are able to read and understand the
language used, before they undertake to dictate in relation to the institutions
of the country, or to vote on questions in relation to the administration of its
government.
And, yet, it is but justice to say that many
intelligent foreigners who become citizens, are as truly patriotic and as truly
American in principle as any native citizen can be.
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