Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-29
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS NEW FLAG
Presented aud Received with Fittirg
and Eloquent Remarks and Appro-
pirate Exercises.

pirate Exercises.
There was large gathering that nlled
the hall of the Grammer school building
yesterday afternoon. the occasion being
the formal presentation Of the fag to the
school from the donor. VIM. Smith.
The following p osrsm was carried ou; +:
First, singing, the American Flag. on the
part Of the school; recitation. Our Flag,
Alice 1 Palmer; defamation. The Rising
of '1s. by Ralph II. House, followed BY
singing of the song. Let Euglishmen Boast;
recitation. Independence Bell, Alice G.
knowlion. Next in order Was the pres-
entation of the dag by Howard Owen. Esq.
Mr.. Owen said:
| In the performance of the pleasant dufy
l have before me, stand in the place OF
one whose most earnest efforts have long
oeen consecrated to the interests Z the
public schools in the city Of Aug asta, Nix.
WILLIAM K. SMlrH. Those of US Who in
these later years have had the privilege Of
fighting with him. inch by inch. the battles
Of our common schools, even for the build
ing Of this beautiful temple of know ledge
in which We are nov assembled. know full
well that the most liberal appropriations for
educstio ial purposes have always received
his petso lsl advocacy and earnest cham
piou.hip. He was present at the birth of
the District, in 1888 was elected its clerk
in ls45; and has since for the most Of the
time been one of the Directors in the Dis
,rict Largely through his efforts the
aehnnl tor nf Al, has. g.
email beginnings until it has reached its
present high condition of acknow ledgsd
superior exceilence-uniil the schools
of Augusta are second to no
schools in New E E'slsnd. God bless vii. |
liam Il Smith From his chamber of ply |
steal weakness, his heart goes out to this, |
his fsv orite school-tbe peoples college
and, stirred by generous emotions and pat
riotic impulse, he presents TO you and to |
those who sit daily in these seats, climbing, 1
sometimes with slow and measured steps
the hill of knowledge, this beautiful flag Of
our country, that it may float henceforth |
from this building, a grand object lesson of
freedom and nationality. AMI as the blessed
sun shall each day turn its face nearer and
nearer towards the earth, the birds it'll mar
vellous natural irshncts return TO their
Northern home from Southern climes, may
the soft. balmy breezes of the Elad spring
time bring health and strength to our esteem
ed neighbor and friend, that we shall see him
again, with health restored. with his old
time enthusiasm. touching the springs of
life AMI business.
And what shall this flag teach the boys
and girls, as il snail be uufurled to the |
breeze?
Suppose a boy should ask his father,
when standing at the base of Bunker Hill
monument, what means this lofty obe.
hsk:' The answer would be. That is the
spot where brave men fought for the inde-
peudence Of the country" Even the
Hebrews erected memorial stones, to teach
their children the lesson of Gods guiding
hand and of his deliverances to hs chosen
people.
Have you ever visited the State House at
Boston. and stood uncovered in the almost
holy presence of the flag that WAS upheld |
by loyal Union soldiers, who shed the first
blood of the rebellion on the pavements of
Bait more's streets The crystal fronted
alcove that held the treasures seemed like |
the very Holy Of Holes. Have you stood
in the roiunda of our own capitol, and
watched the eye of some old veteran kindle |
as he picked out the particular flag under |
some of his comrades marched to glory and |
to death! Have you seen the pride ex-
pressed on the face of the youngster. as he |
pointed out the banner his father followed
to the Southland, the father whose name 10 |
carved upon the soldiers monument
What will the flag on this scboolhouse
teach. 1t will t-ach Americanism, in.
structing the child into the duties. privileges |
and responsibilities OF American citizen
ship. | notice that one of the most CORY 1f |
Anarchist sheets in New York City fairly |
shrieks With anger over the introduction of
the American flag into the public schools |
1t denounces the directors and teachers of
schools for forcing un lalatable lessons in |
patriotism down the throats Of the children
of foreigners. But under this h,g there |
are no foreigners. There are no class dis
tinction. no poll ical parties, no Catholics,
no Pr0testaDts. We are all fused into that
comprehensive title of American citizens. |
We welcome to our shores the sturdy and
honest imm qraI Is, trusting they will catch
the American idea, q I'd in time become
good citizens. Blu if we take the children
of these immigrants, and instruct them in
the duties of American ci,izenshi;, we are
laying the axe at the root of the tree. How
quickly the country will feel the influence Of
the minds and hearts Of these young people
thoroughly imbue with the love of country,
with love of what Liberty means, and with
a due sense of the responsibilities which in a
few years will be theirs. Teaching
Americani.m could be brought about by
reading lessons. by the presentation Of the
history of the United States in an attract
i've form, by recitations. and by song: so
that there shall be wrought into the hearts
and lives Of the pupils the loftiea sent-
ments Of patriotism. Teach nothing OF
| sectarisnism; if the Bible is Z disturbing
element, | would confine the teaching Of
| its doctrines to the home, the church, and
the Sunday school. Teach nothing Of pol
ltcs in q partlzan sense. Teach the chill
dren the hi.tory Of the United States
| make plain to them the trials and trinmphs
of the infant colonies; the cause Of the
revolt of l776; the meaning Of the Decla-
ration Of independence; the cause of the
dark Civil War; the difference between
treason and loyalty; why the new stars
have been added to this Hsg; the contrast
which must be ever kept in view between
liberty and license the supremacy Of the
constitution, the dignity Of is~.
Let it teach that to become true Amefi-
can citizen, is to discard the doctrines Of
sgrsrisni.m, to pu, out the torch Of the
socialist, and inculcste the love of order
and good fellowship.
Lit this flag prove the defence Of the
weak; the pFotection of the strong That
on ever spot on Gods green earth over
which il fosts, there shall the rigbts of
every American citizen be guaranteed.
Let this flag speak Of American homes
and American ideas Let 1t speak Of the
| lsl ,.,k h.