I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
Curtain
Education and Any City appear before the curtain.
Any City. Do you mean to tell me that all the sixth-grade pupils in America are being taught as are these children? If so, no sacrifice is too great for the public to make, that such schools may be maintained.
Education. Alas, no! I have shown you one of the best schools. But there are hundreds of such schools in the land to-day; and I tell you, no sacrifice is too great for the public to make that all schools in the country may be brought to this standard, may be advanced beyond it. It is owing to the self-denial and patriotism of the best teachers of America that the average standard of her schools is as high as it is to-day; it is because of their untiring efforts that America has to-day schools beyond the price the public is paying for them.
Any City (as if thinking aloud). Yes, such children—children with a thorough education; children trained to think and act for themselves; children who learn to stick to a thing until it is finished; children who are healthy, courteous, and patriotic—will be a power for good when they become men and women.
Education. Yes, it is to the school-children of to-day that you must look for the controllers of the future destinies of America. Upon the training you give them now depends the fate of the Nation in the years to come. We are at the dividing of the ways. The public must either provide the means for the democratic training of all boys and girls, or permit class-distinctions in citizens of a republic. That you may know the danger that thus threatens, come with me and behold a possible school of the future.
Exit Education and Any City.