(_Continued and concluded from August No._)
In vain have I appealed to the educators of our country in "THE NEW
EDUCATION." It will be half a century before our systems of education
will be organized for the _elevation_ of society. Heretofore, our
systems have had a positively demoralizing effect by inculcating a
love of military glory, a love of ostentatious pedantry, a stubborn
adherence to old opinions, and a scorn of useful industry. The gradual
establishment of industrial schools, however, is the most hopeful sign
in our educational system, and the establishment of ethical education
will be the last and most glorious change. But that is a task for the
next century which will understand how to save and reform criminals.
The thought is already entertained, and the new _Princeton Review_
says, that in coming time "the world will look back with amazement
upon the days when it let known, determined criminals run at large,
only punishing them occasionally, by a temporary deprivation of their
liberty in short and determinate sentences. We can see to-day that it
is a thoroughly illogical proceeding. The man determined upon a life
of crime is of no use to himself at large, and he is both a danger and
expense in his community. He commonly gives evidence in his character
and his acts of this determination--evidence sufficient for the court
which tries and sentences him; but if that is too uncertain, then
conviction for a second offence may be legally taken to define his
position. After the second offence the criminal should be shut up, on
an indeterminate sentence, where he will be compelled to labor to pay
for his board and clothes and the expense of his safe-keeping."