Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-04-19
THE STARRY BANNER.
A Patriotic Emblem Presented
School No. L.
Enterta iningIExercises at the West
End building Yesterday Afternoon
1.-THE Speeches...The Pupils Part.

1.-THE Speeches---The Pupils Part.
The fieg presentation passed off pleas.
antly at school building No. yesterday
afternoon. The exercises took place in
Mrs. Paul Hamilton's room, where Miss
Johnson's classes also assembled. Princi-
pal Dougherty, Supt. Kemble and Presi>
dent Tho mas, of the board of education,
also being present. Those in charge
of the donation appeared as citizens and
individuals, and made no reference to any
society or organization, thus properly re-
speeding the resolution of the board of
education adopted yesterday morning.
After the pupils had given calisthenic
exhibition under the direction of their
teacher. Mrs. Hamilton. and rendered a
number of vocal selections, Mr.. d. J.
Sears was introduced. and addressing the
principal, teacher and pupils, stated that
he had been requested to be present and
in behalf of the citizens of Rock Island
and the friends of the public schools, to
present an American flag. II we
would preserve our nation, we must
maintain our public schools and pre-
serve patriotism. The lessons incul>
Gated in the minds of the youth
should not be confined strictly to the
text books, but they learn early the laws
of good citizenship as well. The
speaker therefore, felt it the duty of good
citizens TO help each boy and girl to re.
ceive a grammar school education, if
nothing more. He complimented the
board of education on the comfortable and
convenient buildings which had been
provided, and on the efficiency and com
potency Of the corps of teachers. Then
addressing Principal Dougherty, Mr..
Sears presented lovely sixteen.foot
flag on behalf of the citizens of Rock Is
land and friends of the public schools,
with the request that it should be un>
folded to the breeze every day that the
weather permits, and that the principal
deliver il to his successor in office with
the same Injunction.
Principal Dougherty in accepting the
starry banner, expressed the pleasure at
having the visitors present as patrons of
the Rock Island public schools. Were
it not for those who pay taxes" said Mr..
Dougherty, were it not for you.
we as pupils and teachers. would
not be here. We are glad to
welcome you because of your ideas of
what public schools ought to be. You
have practical end in view. The aim
here is to teach US the Importance of
patriotism. We are taught to recognize
this banner as the symbol of religious
freedom, free press and free speech. II
is also the emblem of our free public
schools. Men wisely think that the pubs
lie school is the real strength of the ma
ton" The principal thought it but APP
propriste therefore that the stars and
stripes should float from every public
school building in the land, the same as
from every fort, fortress and man OF war
Mr.. Dougherty therefore, in behalf of the
teachers and pupils and all connected
with the public schools, returned thanks
for the beautiful flag and expressed to the
visitors MS appreciation of their presence
and present.
The flag was unfurled from the win
dows, the children singing The Flag of
the Free, as the folds caught the breeze
President Thomas was called upon and
briefly but fittingly expressed his appre-
citation Of the appropriate gift 1t had
tendency to create the ideas of patriotism
early in life. which was one of the first
objects of our public school-system. He
was pleased therefore to receive it in be-
half of the board of education.
Supt. Kemble's name being called. he
stated his JOY at seeing the flag and he
was glad of the spirit of the hour.
Mr.. J J. Reimers was called, but de-
clined in favor of Rev G. W Cue, who
made short talk on patriotism, which
was the only thing that could protect and
save this country. He spoke of it as the
emblem of purity, of freedom, of patriots
ism and of brotberly love. 1t should be
displayed over every school, every church.
every dwelling and business block in
this country. 1t should be seen in every
home He would like to see it over every
altar and in every church in the land. 1t
gives every man a right to think accord-
ing to his convictions and conscience; to
go TO church or stay at home; to preach
as he thinks. and to keep his hands of
those who perchance do not think as he
does. 1t protected man in free thought,
free speech, and placed all men n an
equal footing beneath its glorious folds.
Mr.. VIM. Guthrie was asked to make a
few remarks, and he spoke of the good il
did him to be present. He believed in
Americanism, and was glad to see the
emblem of it shown in the public schools
The pupils joined in singing Amer.
ica," and the school was dismissed.
Janauschek Tonight.
Madame Janauschek, the distinctly