Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1868-03-25
wASHINGToN'S BIRTHDAY AT
GETTYSBURG.


National Homestead for the orphans
Of Union soldiers who fell in battle has
been fully establishedat Gettysburg, Pa
and on the ed of last February the or
phans had their first Anniversary Of the
Birth-D Day of Washington in their new
Home. An interesting letter from there
appears in the Philadelphia Bulletin,
from which we clip the following ex'
TRACT Of the interesting proceedings:
In relation to the Homestead in its varied
aspects, it may be said that its course is moi
only onward, but upward as ~well-onward, as
to the general improvement Of the children
upward, in their higher and most interesting
tendencies. The 22d Of February offered IN
opportunity to make a deep and lasting I'M.
PRECISION upon their sensitive hearts respect
ing Washington, the model man, the spotless
patriot and true Christian; the first and bes,
Of the great names on our country's roll oil
honor, with which these children are to be.
come familiar while under the ever watchful
care ofthe Homestead.
The day came; it was bright, but cold, and
Cemetery Hill was rather icy to ascend with
ease. But the good citizens were out in full
force. From Pennsylvania College came
professors and students; from the Theological
Seminary a similar attendance. The visitors
were received at the door Of the main building
and passed from thence to the principal
school-room. which was handsomely draped
with flags. The gay colors were relieved by
evergreens and pictures and texts in tasteful
lettering. Opposite the entrance u stage was
erected for the children, the wall behind
which was more deliberately ornamented.
The centre Of the festooncd flags upon It was
surmounted by the name Of Washington, in
large guilt letters on a blue field, and this
was wreathed with green. Above were ar
ranged thirteen shields in the form Of an
arch, Pennsylvania Us the keystone, each
bearing the abbreviated name Of the State
represented. 49,. ,
At 2 o'clock, p. NJ, the sixty soldiers
orphans were seated on the stage, appearing
in their neat uniform Of blue. The girls had
the addition Of white sashes thrown over the
left shoulder, each set in front with q shield,
emblazoned with the name Of 4 State. The
exercises opened with prayer by the Rev.
Prof. Ferrier, Of Pennsylvania College.
Singing BY the children followed, Lieutenant
Norton, Principal, accompanying their clear,
sweet voices with the organ. Afer this
came the "Salutation to the Flag" written
for the occasion 10y the Matron). This was
the most touching Of the children's part in
the exercises, especially as when the last
two lines OF each verse were repeated each
boy sprang to his feet, greeted the flag with
a wave Of his hand, and the full chorus Of
voices sang:
"Hail to the Flag! all peerless in might;
Hail to the Flag! Of the red, blue and white"
In the last salutation, the flag ofthe battle
field was referred to, and their youthful voices
naturally fell into tho minor key, as they
now joined again:
"Hsil to the flag Of crimsoned gold!
That wrapped our fathers in its fold!"
The effect was indeed touching, and would
have repaid q heightened journey to Gettys-
burg TO witness the scene.
Amer this came the happy presentation OF
the "Buyhood Of Washington" in an address
by Major Cleeton, Of New Haven, Connect
cut. Then followed an allcgorical tableaux,
first, Of the thirteen original States, accom-
panied with a recitation. entitled Tribute to
Washington" an original poetical~ production
10y the Matron), and next, Of all the States
represented BY an equal number Of the small
est girls. and on the appearance OF tho repre-
sentatives OF the new States, the sixty chill
dren sang in the chorus:
{" Joined hand in hand the new States COM
To bless the name Of Washington" :
Following these were very pretty and
p~atriotic tableaux.