The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-05-27

NATIONAL COLUMBIAN PUBLIC
SCHOOL CELEBRATION, OCTOBER
12, 1899.
To County Examiners, Superintendent
and Teachers The Worlds Congress
Auxiliary of the Worlds Columbian
Exposition several months ago issued a
manifesto calling upon all the people of
the United States to unite in cele-
bration of the 400th anniversary of the
discovery of America, October II, 1892,
when the Exposition grounds at Chicago
will be dedicated, and suggested that
the public schools of the Republic be
everywhere the centre of the local
celebrations. At the annual meeting of
the department of SUPERINTENDENT of
the National Educational Association, of
Brooklyn, February, 1892, DR.. w. T.
Harris, United States Commissioner of
education, introduced resolutions,
which, after stating the suggestions of
the Worlds Congress Auxiliary, were
the following:
/. That the department of superln-
tendence of the National Educational
Association heartily endorses this sug-
gestion, as serving the purpose both of
interesting the youth of the Republic in
the Exposition, and also of giving to the
public schools of the Nation fitting
prominence as the fruit of four centuries
of American life.
2. That we ask superintendent of
education and teachers everywhere in
the Republic to unite in the effort to do
all in their power to make this National
Columbian Public School Celebration
both universal and successful.
3. That we request the newspaper
press of the United States to ensure the
success of this celebration by lending to
it the powerful aid of their sympathy
and cooperation.
A. That we name the heads of edu-
cation in the several States as general
committee er oficie to be the patrons of
the celebration in their respective States,
and to carry out, so far as they can, the
suggestions of the executive committee.
s. That an executive committee of
| five persons Zone of whom shall be the
manager appointed by Mr.. G. G. Bonney,
President of the Worlds Congress
Auxiliary, shall be appointed by the
chair to prepare a programme of exer-
cises and to furnish the same to the
committee of superintendent, to be
used according to their discretion.
These resolutions were adopted unani-
mously, and the following committee
was appointed:
Francis Bellamy, of Boston, represent
ing the The Youths Companion, chair
man; and the following State Superin-
tendents of education: j. W. Dickinson,
Massachusetts,; T. B. Stockwell, Rhode
Island; w. r. Garrett, Tennessee, and
w. c. Hewitt, Michigan.
The National Department of Education
has thus assumed charge of the move
ment. The Executive Committee will
publish in due season a uniform pro
gramme for the use of every common
school.
No other single human action in all
the ages of the past has ever had so
great and so beneficient effect upon the
whole race as the discovery of America.
A contemplation of the sublime hero
ism of Columbus will prove an inspir-
alton to the young, and careful stndy
of the vast, limitless results, ever extend
ing in number and magnitude with the
increasing centuries, will have broad
ening effect upon their minds. The
noblest product of American civilization
is the public schools of the United
States, with their 100000 scholars
Here are moulded the moral forces that
will shape the goth century. There is
eminent fitness in having the schools the
centre of all local celebrations, The
military, civic and religious organi-
cations, undoubtedly, viii gladly assist.
The veterans should be invited to be the
escort of the school in all professions
1t is earnestly urged that the county
examiners, and all superintendent ant
teachers in the State, begin at once tc
make preparations for the observance o.
this National anniversary.
The patrons and all friends of the
schools should be early enlisted to make
it success worthy of the occasion. The
Chairman of the Executive Committee o.
the public school celebration, Mr.
Francis Bellamy, will be glad to give
practical suggestions to anyone wishing
them. EDWIN F. PALMER,
State Superintendent.