Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-03-02
of Washimgton's Birthday.

Celebration of Washimgton's Birthday.
Westinghouse birthday was celebrated
in very appropriate and pleasing way
by the public schools of this city. III
nearly all the grades the memory Of
Washington was COMMUNICATED by songs,
essays and declam atoms, ant the schools
clos ed au hour earlier than usual.
A crayon portrait of Washington was
made on a blackboard in the room of the
sixth grade by one the pupils, HATRED
Oleson, bov of but IA years The por
trait was we'll executed, and was faith
full likeness, Notwithstanding the rough
ness Of the blackboard aud the coarsencss
of the crsyon. It was center Of attract
ion during the entire day, and won for
the young artist many we'll deserved
word Of praise. We hope that our young.
friend will some day give special atten.
ton TO the talent intrusted to his care
The most elaborate program of the day
was rendered in the high-school room by
the pupils of the seventh and eighth
grades and high-school. About fifty Wis
ltors were present, all Of whom teachers
and pupils seemed glad to meet.
The exercises began promptly at the
appointed time and were as follows
Song-Amerca. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. School
Defamation -Washington's Birthday. David Todd
Essay-Who was Washington Matte Ellis
Declamation-Wa shngton's Character. -. Fred Knox
Observation-Disclosures Chief Battle. Hannah Reynolds
Reading-lount Vernon. ...... Florence Livermore
Reeit"t'on-Tribute to Washington AlmsdaTruesde
Debate esoluel, That Washington was greater
general than statesman.
NEGATIVE se,'e'.'...''...'.:E Eugene ST. SUNNY
Defamation from Farewell Address of Washington
Freddie Wood
Essay-Martha Washington. ... Cornelia Rowley
Declamation-Necessityo of the Union WerticAndcrson
Song-Battle Hymn of the Republic. School
Recitation-The Hatchet Story in Rhyme
Irvie Williams
Daloguc-Who got the Prize. Pupils of seventhGrade
Observation-Disclosures Epitaph. Cora Chadbourne
Readng-Thackery's idea of Washington
Marcia French
Defamation Washington's True Monument
Chester Decker
Remarks by Rev. Mr.. Spafford and the Principal
Song-Mount Vernon Bells
Gertie Sherwood and Hattie Cressey
We cannot refer to the merits of each
exercise. 1t will be sufficient to say that
there was commendable earnestness per-
vading the whole program. The decla-
nations were delivered with distlnctuess
and animation, the essays were short and
pointed, the readings we'll selected, and
the singing good. The debate was one of
the interesting features of the day. The
arguments were arranged by the speakers
and expressed in their own language.
The dialogue was representation of a
number Of pupils striving for prize to
he given to him who could tell the most
about Washington. and 1t was nicely pre-.
sentcd
Rev. Mr.. Spatford spoke few moments
about the benefits arising from the cele-
bration of the birthday Of such a man as
Washington, and the effect which the
contemplation Of his character must Lave
on our own. lie made strong plea for
patriotism and purity of life, setting forth
the intimate connection of the two.
Mr.. Spafford was followed by Prof
Keysor, the Principal, who paid his tri-
butte to Washington by mention of the
completeness OF his lite, and his readi.
ness and ability to do what was required
of him by nation struggling in its form.
alive condition. His remarks were we'll
received by both visitors and pupils.
After the close Of the exercises the
school was dismissed, and the pupils and
visitors engaged IN conversation ard
marching to music. The pupils present.
ed fine appearance in the eyolutions of
the march. And at this time, more than
any other, was most noticeable and enjoy
able the unique feature Of the day. Many
of the young ladies had donned the Mar
tina Washington costume,-hair smooth,
plain and powdered white, with the close
cap, and white kerchicf about the neck
crossed in the approved style of ZIG which
was really very becoming. Our Austin
girls are beautiful to us, but never before
did they appear purer and brighter than
last week Tuesday afternoon at the public
exercises Of our hi g.i-school, and we went
home with hearts full Of rejoicing that
we live IN land of free schools, and that
our children arc taught not only to re-
member but to honor and emulate the
great and good men who have done so
much for the cause of tree government
aud humanity.