Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-07
WHITTIER SCHOOL OPENED.
Addresses BristlinE With Patriotism and
Eulogy for American EducatiOn-Ths
Jr. O. u. A. N. Praised.

Addresses Brisfling With Patriotism and
Eulogy for American EducatiOn-The
Jr. o. q. A. N. Praised.
The exercises attending the opening of the
Whittier School of the Thirty-second ward.
were held last night in the hall of the Mt.
Washington Library Association. A large
number were present and the affair was pleas
ant one. The feature Of the evening was the
presentation to the school Of flag on behalf
of William Penn Council, Jr. o. U. A. M. and
crayon portrait of Prof. Whittier after
whom the school IS named. from Mrs. Harper,
widow of Major Samuel Harper and daughter
of Prof. Whittier. The portrait was executed
by Mrs. Harper's daughter.
The exercises opened with an anthem by the
Mt. Washington choir followed by prayer by
the Rev. George Street. Mr.. VIM. Halpin, an
ex-school director, gave brief history Of the
Mt Washington schools. The first school was
commenced in 1869. The third one of the ward
is just completed. To give an idea OF the growth
OF the ward in that period he stated that in
1889, the taxable valuation of the ward was
SIS, l20. 1t is now 81, 100000
A song was gwen by the school children,
after which the flag and portrait were pre-
sented to the school by Hon. H. /. Gourley on
behalf of the donors. The presentation speech
was full OF patriotism and eulogy for the
schools. Mr.. Gourley, referring to the flag,
said that it was the only flag that represented
free country. 1t was the one that had always
gone to victory in the end, and was the emblem
of the greatest country in the world. He pic
tured those three great warriors, Alexander
the Great, Caesar and Napoleon all of whose
stars went out, and who died either ignoble
deaths or in obscurity. Beside these he placed
the immortal Washington, whose flag this was.
He had said enough when he said that this flag
was the nag Of Washington and the flag of Lin
coin.
He praised the Jr. o. U. A. NJ. for the noble
work 1t had undertaken in fostering the patriot
ism OF Americans and complimented them on
the excellent method they had taken to en-
courage it, of presenting the national emblem
to the public schools.
AS to the schools he said they were the most
important workshops OF the world. The black
smiths, wagon makers, millmen, etc. are all
considered indispensable because they make
what IS useful and necessary, but the school
teacher IS even more necessary, for he trains
the mind and teaches the youth Of the land
that which makes of them great and capable
men and women, and renders solid the founda-
tion OF our country.
the gifts for the school with a speech equally
patriotic and eulogistlc.
II. Lindsay Greir made the closing address on
the objects of the Jr. o. y. A. NJ. His address
was stirring with love of country and support
of her institutions, foremost among them the
public schools
After the song America" by the choir and
school children, the "Doxology' was sung and
the benediction pronounced by the Rev. Mr..
street. Thomas 7. Ashford Jr., was master Of
ceremonies. The committee present repre-
senting the Jr. o. Z. A. NJ. was composed Of
F. Ashford. The choir was led by Prof. David
Miller.