, 1891-02-22
PATRIOTIC FEELINGS.
They are Inspired by the Thought
of Washington's Birthday.
Influence of Such Observance on
the Youthful Mind.
Why Wyoming Women Should Feel
a Special Interest.

CHEYENNE, Feb. 2l--The cultivation
Of patriotism has of late been greatly dis
cussed among educators aud in all of the
schools of The country much attention is
being given to American history aud the
study of the lives Of the statesmen of the
republic.
Prof. Churchill made a move in the
right direction when he raised the flag on
the central school In honor of L'ncoln's
birthday.
We are told that when A~naxAgoras, the
Greek Philosopher and teacher, was about
TO die, the enate of Lampsa,us sent to
ask what commemoratiou OF his life and
character would be most acceptable to
him. He answered:
II pray you every year, when time shall bring
TIL day on which I LEFT you, let the boys
All boys and girls In this your happy town
Be free of tasks and school for that one day"
The suggestion was observed and his
memory was honored for many centuries
with a yearly festival.
We Americans need more of such festi-
vals,-holIdays that will teach the masses
and the children the virtues of the great
and good who have lived in this new era
since the finding Of our continent.
We have our Thanksgiving Day and all
who homer the institutions of home and
family observe it.
Decoration Day when we stand by the
graves of those whose lives preserved our
country or benefited civilization, is a ma
tional All-Souls day, a time we have set
apart to remember the sell-sacrifce OF
those who have fallen in their good works.
The Fourth of July is a day to review
our political situation, the basis OF our
rights and liberties. Why not have more
such days?
The centennial OF Humbolt in 1872,
which was celebrated throughout Amer
lea, and in which all Industrial as we'll as
educated people joined, gave a great i'm
petus to the study of science. The char
acter of Humboldt was brought before the
people, his simplicity, honesty and earn
e%stness, his travels for knowledge, his
learning from observation.
ut AAoHau NhNuOllC CluItu lN always
wise in its methods, and teaches creed
more by its Christian holidays than by its
preaching and literature. These festi-
walls and holidays instill into the minds
OF the masses and the children, the his
tory of their saihted heroes, and the mira
cles attending them. But what is far
more important, it binds the people to-
gether IN their amusemeuts and inclines
them to revere the institution and its off
GERS, who give holidays and ~absolution to
those who observe them.
The American republic aims to be cos
mopolitau. 1t strives to attract people
from other continents with their various
races and religions, and mould them into
a nation whose citizens shall be self-di-
rected and free.
The story of Washington cannot too
often be told. From what other source
can be drawn such lessons of patriotism,
integrity and bravery, than from the lite
of the citizen soldier, the ideal president,
the great and good man, above and out
side of party. the digniied Christian gen
tleman-George Washington. Each year
the character of Washington claims more
OF our admiration. and as time goes on, 1
think even the much jOked about little
Ratchet will come to have the romantic
interest OF fhor's Hammer, the Shield of
Achilles or the famous sword of King Ar
thur.
1t was the dream OF the ancient poets
and artists that woman was the priestess
10 the temple and presided over liberty,
health and education. To the women Of
Wyoming has been granted the gracious
endowment OF the suffrage. Does 1t occur
to them that with the franchise there is
laid upon them the grave responsibility Of
citizenship, that they must be patri tic
before they are politicians2 Does it not
occur to them that not Wyoming alone
looks on with anxious solicitude, and
waits the result Of this costly experiment
an experiment that for the first time in
the history of the nation, and the world,
has elevated womanhood to the dignity of
citizenship and invested her with political
aggrandizement and power. Not the
common wealth alone, but the great re-
public, from seaboard to Pacific slope,
from Polar sea to Gulf stream-nay. a
whole world watches and waits to behold
with what betting dignity, loyalty and
integrity and honor they shall carry them
selves in this high estate.
How better can the high ideas OF the
a~ncients be made realizations in this
young commonwealth than that here
women begin to teach their sons and
daughters that patriotism should be a
part of their religion, and God and their
native land be given equal reverence and
devotion. L. MASON SMITH.