Evening journal., 1890-02-24
W4SHINGT0N'S BIRTHDAY
WiLMlNeToN's CELEBRATION or
THE 1871 ANNIVERSARY.

and Other Events.
The event of Washington's Birthday
was the presentation of a large American
flag to the High School Committee. The
exercises began at 2 As o'clock aud were
held ia the assembly room of the High
School. The room seats 500, aud fully
300 more were present. The pupils of
the school and members of the Junior
Order of United American Mechanics oc-
cupied the front seats The stage was
extensively decorated Large flags Gov
cred half the rear wall and the colors of
Smyth Post were draped in front. A
small tent with campfire and Stacked
arms was on one end OIL the stage and
the emblem OF the o. U. A. Nj. on the
other In an opening formed by draping
the flags over the blackboard. were draw
ings of the Washington monument, the
White House, the capitol and Washing
tion blended in one scene. The charter
of Eureka Council hung from table in
the centre of the stage.
On the stage were seated: President
Charles Baird, S. Redmond Smith, Esq,
Dr. John Palmer, Jr., 5. +. Belts, s. N.
Trump Joseph Pyle and Superintendent
d. W. Harlan of the Board Of Eduea-
ton; President John @. Farra and +. B.
Cotton of City Council; Watson r. Sperry
Of the Morning News, Henry @. Conrad,
Esq, Rev. L. +. Barrett, f. H. Hoffecker,
Esq, +. I. Taylor and members Of the
Eureka Council committee.
:. Redmond Smith ESQ presided,
owing TO the absence Of DR.. E. g. Short
lidge, chairman Of the committee. After
music by Hyatt's Military Band, which,
for lack of space, sat in the hallway.
Rev. L. E. Barrett Of st. PanPs NJ. 4.
Church, made prayer. Henry G. Con
rad, Esq, made an address on The Ad-
vantages of Our Public School System.
just 1853 years ago was born a man who
was destined to become the greatest of
all Americans. Nearly 100 years have
passed since that man was laid to rest,
but the name of Washington will live as
long as America shall live. IL is proper
that his birthday should be celebrated in
this manner and in public school.
The government is the peculiar guar
dian of the young, and 1t educates them
in the public schools. The public school
system is a good thing, it is necessity
aud should be encouraged. Wilmington
is abreast of the times in this matter of
public schools. He gave some recollec-
tions of the schools thirty years ago. At
that time there were in this city
schools, 30 teachers and 1, 800 scholars;
now there are 20 schools, 175 teachers
and 10, 600 scholars He said in closing
The perpetuity Of this government de-
ponds on knowledge, and 1t is the duty of
the government to diffuse that know
ledge. Living In these days we have
much to be thankful for We have our
country. we have our flag and we must
direct every effort to support our com
mon school system, which is the founda.
ton of our government"
The pupils of the High School sang
The Star Spsngled Banner" under the
direction of Professor O. b Rhoads ].
d. Kurtz. Jr, PLAYED the piano. After
music by Hyatt's Military Band, the pre-
sentation Of the flag took place. Joseph
| Pyle on behalf Of Eureka Council pre-
sented the flag. proposing three cheers
/ for 1t as he began his speech. and the
cheers were ginen with a will. He said in
part The presentation Of this flag marks
new era in public schools of the city
and state / want to live 10 see tho day
when the flag of our country shall be on
every school house in the state.
Education. Christianity and patriotism
are the three things necessary to the life
of the republic. Palsied be the arm that
ever attempts to take the Bible from the
/ public school. am a Methodist, but |
would vote to strike off the name of any
teacher who would attempt TO teach
Methodism, Presbyterianism, Episcopal
ianism, Roman Catholicism or any other
'ism" than patriotism In the school
| Applause Patriotism is not party
fealty. In speaking of the greatness OF
| the United States, he said "And il con.
tains the most beau tiful women that the
Lord ever created. Applause mean
that. Enthusiastic applause
Taking up the flag be said: THE red
reminds me Of the blood shed BY those
who made this country: the white OF
| purity; the blue, as the light Of heaven,
| studded with the stars of hepe"
He thanked the council for teaching
| the board lesson in patriotism by pre-.
senting the flag, and concluded by say.
ing; Like Governor Dix, say shoot
the man who lowers the flag in disgrace. 2
President Baird accepted the flag on
behalf Of the Board of Education, thank
| ing Eureka Council for its kindly inter
est, praising its motto, Virtue, Liberty
and Patriotism" and wishing it great
/ success in its PRONUNCIATION of those prin-
| ciples. Il am glad to know that the or
der presenting this emblem has for its
object high and noble purposes, your
motto being virtue, liberty aud patriot
ism. Among the worthy principles you
aim TO ineulcate is ons to main
tain the public school system of the
| United States of America, and prevent
sectarian interference Herewith and
uphold the reading Of the Bible therein.
In this land we have privileges and bless
ings so numerous and great that we fail
to realize their great worth The oppor.
| tunity for an education Is afforded to all,
and an educated people where that edu-
cation is controlled by the principles Of
the word Of God has al most limitless
power for good. Oh may these schools
never cease to teach true patriotism
May the pupils here be taught to
| acknowledge and reverence the Supreme
Being and be true to this land Of privi-
leges and freedom. We heartily thank
you for this iagof our nation and promise
to cherish more deeply the institutions
that honor our happy land. AS we see
| from time TO time these colors floating in
the free air OF Heaven at the top Of our
building we will remember your interest
in us, your desire for our success, and
your devotion to virtue, liberty and
| patriotism
The school then sang RED, White and
| Blue, and Professor Rhoads waved the
flag during the last verse. The Girls
| High School pupils then sang "Margue-
rite so well that Ii was encored.
John B. Cook Of Eureka Council made
1 40 ~ -I,t 80 . l,n ,rsflnr