to study both sides of the question and to be
fair-minded. In fact, the ordinary debate where children are appointed
to argue upon a certain side of the question does not bring into play
the same good methods of thought and judgment as the free debate, in
which each child studies both sides of the question, determines which
side he thinks the right one, and then argues for that side.

In this question urge the children to study the subject in their
histories or in any reference books that may be handy. Help them to get
at the truth of the matter. Hawthorne may show prejudice. Does he? We
may feel a bias in favor of one side or the other. Do we? Then to the
extent of that bias we are liable to be unfair and to fail in making a
sound argument.

After the children have read what they can find on the subject, ask them
to arrange their arguments in parallel columns, for and against the
judges. Something like the following may appear:

FOR AGAINST

1. The Americans 1. The English had
were the subjects of the oppressed the colonists
English, and subjects by unjust taxes and in
should be loyal. other ways (mention
them) until the time
for loyalty had ceased.

2. The colonists 2. If these colonists
were not an organized were a mob they were
body, acting legally. justified in their acts.
They were a wild mob, It was an insult and
and mobs must be worse to quarter troops
quelled or lives and upon them and they
property cannot be protected. naturally resented it.
They had had no time
to organize and make
laws. They had to act
at once.

3. The mob was 3. It is always the
composed of wild young men who lead.
young men, and most In most great movements
of the colonists did not it has been the
approve of their acts. young men who were
right.

4. The mob called 4. The soldiers forgot
the soldiers "lobster-backs," their discipline and
"red-coats," and called the colonists "rebel
other insulting names