The National tribune., 1892-09-29

for its people and promising for the furtnre the
largest and noblest ideas of popular govern
lnent. -
There can be no Americanism. in its best
sense, which is not based upon the highest ideas
of loyalty. If this is to be the actuating idea
OF the future il is clear that the result can only
come by intoxicating it in the minds and in
stilling it into he hearts of the boys and girls
who to make the governing power and the
controlling spirit OF the years 10 come. How is
this to be accomplished?
First OF all, we must look to the public schools
of the country. 1t is evident to-day that the
history of the war, the march of events which
led up to its inception, the matchless story of
its stirring strife aud the mighty results
wrought out by its successful completion, are
not to-day sufficiently taught III the schools of
the land. The natural senstiveness left after
the close of the great struggle in the States
which were in rebellion against National au.
thority, has led publishers of textbooks, in
order that these might be used with freedom
in all portions of the land, to omit, gloss over.
and even 10 misrepresent, the history Of the
war, while an insufficient amount of time and
attention has, we believe, been givenin all of
the schools to proper study of the story of that
period.
We believe that the Southern States, and par
ticnlarly the younger generation, are beginning
to realize, whatever the lingering sentiment of
devotion to State institutions, that to no por-
ton of the land did the final results OF the war
bring more of blessing and promise and greater
prosperity than TO those States which were mis-
takenly in opposition to the war for the preser-
walton of the Union. And that with all of the
intense loyalty and devotion of the Union vet
erans there is no tinge of bitterness, but only
best wishes for the future prosperity of those
against whom quarter of a century ago they
contended in battle. 1t should be the work of
the Grand Army of the Republic to see that
alike in the schools of the North and the South
the true story of the great war for the Union is
made one of the most prominent and important
courses of study
One of the best indications of the reviving
sentiment OF loyal Amercanism is in the move
ment within the past few years to supply the
school houses of the land with the emblem Of
the Nations integrity, and il is hoped that this
may be carried forward until over every school
house in our land, North and South, there may
float The American flag, that the boys and girls
in their incoming aud outgoing may learn to
love that banner as the emblem OF a Free inde
pendent progressive people, and that it shall
mean To them something more than so many
yards OF textile fabric, aud stand for something
OF the glory with which it vas crowned in the
eyes OF its old defenders as fHny saw it amid the
glimpse of its bright folds as they escaped from
dire imprisonment. Patriotic songs should be
sung daily in every school. The impression
made by such songs on tho minds OF the youth
will be ife-ioDg in their effect.
Another deserving movement which has been
largely fostered by the Youths Companion, an
Eastern journal of wide circulation aud which
merits the most ample encouragement, is the
organization of debating societies, not only
among the children OF the public schools, but to
be especially com posed of sons of veterans, for
the discussion Of patriotic topics, particularly
those connected with the events of the war;
which can undoubtedly be made an educational
force of no mean power.
We believe that in addition to the now almost
universal observation Of Memorial Day, with
its sweet and tender services there should be
added to the holidays of the Nation one or two
of special significance in connection with the
events Of the war against rebellion. Let us
have public holiday the birthday Of Lincoln,
the martyr President the anniversary of the
issuance of the proclamation of emancipation,
or Of the great surrender at Appomattox. Give
to the Nation at least one day, if not more.
whose entire signi ficance shall be illustrative
OF the events OF the most momentous struggle
OF the nghtiest victory of modern years
With the doors of the Nations welcome
swinging wide open to the people of all lands !;
with gladsone greeting to whoever comes
with honest purpose to add to the brain or
brawn OF this free land among no class than
that born under other climes and with widely
different conditions of society, should the effort
be made to instil the highest ideas of A:ner-
can loyalty. And while we wonld place no
pebble of obstruction in the way of the incom-
ing of any class with the purpose and ability
to add to the strength Of Americas t0ilers,
those who believe in the best future Of this
land of ours can but have forced upon them
the serious question whether some restriction
must not be placed upon that portion of the
tide OF migration sweeping upon shores
which represents only The poverty and the
crime of other lands.
No duty of tho hour more sternly presses
itself upon the American citizsn of day than
the consideration OF questions which affect the
future growth, the coming prosperity, tne up
building and uplifting Of the American Re-
public. And the responsibility falls with
! doab!e force upon those who have striYen not
only 10 be good citizens Of tire country. bGt who
in the moment OF its mighty peril were willing
TO sacrifice all, aud If need he TO lay d0wn life
for the integrity and the liberty Of the LARD
The committee recommends that these con-
clusiors be submitted through an official cir
c:liar 10 all Posts of the Graod Army of the
BcpnGiic, aad that committee of five be ap-
pointed by tie incoming CGmnander-in in Chief,
with authority 10 invite the cooperation not
only of the members OF The Grand Army of the
! Republic. bnt OF the Wornaus Relief Corps and
| Sons OF Veterans. and to devise, with tho ap-
| proYal OF the COMMANDMENT Chief, measures
! for the carrying ont of the ideas herein sug-
| gested. Respectfully submitted,
GEO. S. M-RRILL,
LucIus FkiEcHILD,
JOHN p. REA,
VIM. WARNER,
PAUL VAN DERvooRr,
Committee.
| A motion was made to adopt the report as
! the sense of the Encampment, but Comrade
| Kelly, Of Kansas, called attention to the fact