Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-05

fields of sunshine, made strong back
ground for the star-spangled banners
which were flung to the breeze. The
REFLECTOR takes particular pleasure
in the days exercises, as it was through
its efforts that the movement which
has resulted in making Abilene the
first important city in Kansas to place
the nations flag on her school building
was inaugurated and completed.
The custom is noble one, and we be-
lieve that every resident of Abilene
will enjoy seeing the beautiful banners
floating from the fagstaffS of our edu-
cational structures.
TODAY'S EXERCISES.
The visitors TO both the central and
southside school bulldogs this after
noon were many. The parents take an
active interest in the school work of
their children and enjoy encouraging
them in it. Elaborate preparations
had been made and the rhetorical eXer-
cises were not only patriotic but adapt
ed to Thanksgiving.
Upon arriving at the rooms the Wis
itors found each one magnifcently dec
Grated with flags and bunting. Indeed
it seemed as though every flag in the
city had been secured for the occasion.
Space will not permit detailed account
of the proceedings in each of the
rooms. The pupils all did excellently
and their work was enjoyed.
The high school gathered in Princi-
pal jerks room and rendered the fol-
lowing program, each number of which
was given with credit:
PART |.
Essay by we are ThankfuI' Clayton Brown
Original storyL"How Nellie Prepared for
Thanksgiyng, May Bruckhart
Original story-"ln interrupted Thanks
giving Dinner" 49,; Nettie Brilliant
EsSay-"The Lessons of the Year,. Maud Curtis
PART ii.
MUSlC-''S GpdUSicu .OnOruS
Declamation-"Let the Flags Fly!7........
............. -. Arthur Barton
Essay-"HistOry Of the American Flag.
;;, .:Ihos A: Borman
Defamation; Launching OFT ship
MIST, oic :.p:rbaro 1;,:i;: ) Mary payids9 G1
DeclamatiOn-"Our Duty to our Country
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ......Bertha Blevins
Defamation and Union, '...;~...
Essay-"Our Flag; " hat it Means, 49,.
49,. ..'.....................A Arthur zook
Declamation-''The American Flag.
Music-"Coumbia, Gem OF the Ocean, "..-Ghor ;1s
RAISING THE FLAGS.
The southside pupils had their flag
raising just before the afternoon exer-
cises. The pupils formed in lines and
while the ''Sta1 Spangled Banner" was
being sung the stars and stripes were
thrown to the breeze.
The exercises in the rooms were very
interesting. The pupils of the two up
per rooms united, as did those on the
lower floor. Flag decorations were
prominent. Among the little folks
efforts was the rendering of a pretty
Thanksgiving exercise which was well
done by score of pupils.
At the central school building, after
the exercises, the pupils, 700 in all,
who had been well trained, marched
out and surrounded by the 800 visitors
took their places IN parallel lines in |
front Of the building.
J.R. BUTTONS REMARKS.
Principal W. S. jerks then intro
Guced Hon. j. r. Burton who made a |
brief but exceedingly appropriate ad-
dress. Anything" he said in sub
stance, ''that inspires love for country,
parents or heaven should be encour-
aged. 1t has been said that there /
should be first duty to heaven, then to
parents and last to country. But du-
ty to country and parents is duty to
heaven, and he is poor christian
who neglects either. It is not, how
ever, always safe to love country; the
southern people loved country, but
they were wrong, The mother in
ancient times sacrificed her child, but
she was wrong, though sincere. twas
not iHeither case intelligent love. 1t
was ignorance coupled with devotion.
"You have been inspired by patriot
ism today and will raise the beautiful
dag. The flag means much contrasted
With thoSe of other nations, and with
what it formerly meant here. Once it
had the stain of slavery upon it, but
that was wiped out by blood and it
now floats over an entire country free,
country devoted to education and
progress.
Learn toaloVe your country love
your parents who gave you this nation
md its blessings. couple the two with a
owe of heaven. and happiness is yours
forever"
Cheers and applause created Mr.
Burton as he closed.
AS the throng sang "The union. the
lnion forever" the beautiful flag was
and the exercises were over.