Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-09-07
COLUMBUS DAY.
The Plan for the Broad Observance OF
the Great Patriotic Occausi- n.

1t seems settled that the popular OBJ
servance of Columbus Day, Oct. 81. is
likely to be the most general of any of
the centennials through which we have
passed. There is no doubt that the
American people, as rule, have become
thoroughly interested in the significance
of this 4OOth anniversary.
One strong reason for this wide inter
est is the public school leadership Of the
national celebration. As soon as this
school leadership was proposed. the press
of the country commenced to commend
the idea; it was received favorably by
superintendent of education. teachers
and thoughtful citizens generally.
So it came about that the idea proved
acceptable to everybody. Then it was
further promoted by the official recogni-
tions it received. The National Educa-
tional Association adopted it, and ap-
pointed all the state superintendent
committee to carry it out; and a special
committee with headquarters at the
Youths Companion office, Boston. to
push the movement, and TO prepare
uniform program for use in every local
ity. Commander-in>Chief Palmer. of the
Grand Army, saw the opportunity the
plan offered, and issued general orders
that all the G. A. r. posts in the country
link themselves with the school in a
grand patriotic. bipartisan demonstra-
ton on Columbus Day,-assisting the
schools to raise and salute the flag, and
escorting them in the review.
Congress fully recognized the mover
ment by directing the president to pro-
claim Oct 81 holiday, to be observed
proclamation recently issued by the
| president gave emphatic accent to the
| school idea, and recommended that the
people everywhere make it the centre of
the local observances.
The official program. by making GER
tain Of the days exercises uniform in all
| localities. will give the national observ-
ance an important unity. This program
| is promised for general publication
| through the press the first week in Sep
TENDER. Its leading provisions are as
| follows:
The schools everywhere are to assem-
| BILE at the usual hour on the morning of
| Oct. 81. A detail of veterans is ex-
pected to arrive soon after, and all will
repair to the yard. The exercises will
begin with reading of the proclamation
Then the flag will be raised by the vet
Grams, and saluted by all the pupils in a
brief exercise, terminating in the song,
my Country, tits of Thee" After di-
vine acknowledgements, the Song of
Columbus Day." an original hymn for
the occasion and set to the old tune of
Lyons" will be sung by all. Follow
| ing will be defamation of the Address
for Columbus Day" and reading of the
lode for Columbus Day." both original
| productions for the occasion.
Opportunity will then be given fer
| whatever additional features local enter
| prise may provide; and the morning OBJ
| servance will end with short addresses by
| citizens, and national songs.
For the afternoon a public school re-
view is suggested; or. if there is a civic
parade. it is urged that the schools, es-
| corted by veterans, be made the promi.
nent feature. In the mass meeting of
citizens, with which many places will
| conclude the day, it is proposed that
among the speeches ample recognition
| will be given to the American system of
| free, universal education as a source of
American progress and the hope Of the
| future.
October 21st is less than two months
| distant. but all of this time may be used
to excellent advantage in preparing for
the celebration. In undertakings OF this
character unavoidable delays are apt to
| occur. The schools which begin imme-
| diately on the work which must be done
to make the celebration a credit to them
selves aud their to wn, will escape the N
noying situations likely to arise If every
thing is left until the eleventh hour.