Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-08-16
A General HOLIDAY.

President Harrison, complying With
the act of congress of June 90, has is
sued his proclamation making Friday,
October 81, a general holiday. This is
the recognition of the movement to put
the celebration of the four hundredt b
anniversary of the discovery of America
into the hands of all the people by giving
it to the institution closest to the people
and most characteristic of the people
the public school
The movement was undertaken by
the National Educational association,
through an executive committee which
has so presented it as to gain the indorse-
ment of the press and general popular
acceptance in advance of this proclama-
ton. The proclamation is as follows:
Whereas, by joint resolution approved June
%, 1892, 1t was resolved by the senate and house
OF representatives of the United States of
America in congress assembled, "That the
president of the United States be authorized
and directed to issue q proclamation recon-
mending to the people,the observance IN all their
localities OF the 4OOth anniversary-ef the discov
cry OF America, on October 81, 1892, by public
demonstration and by suitable exercises in
Now therefore, I, Benjamin Harrison, pres
ident Of the I'm tied States of America, in pur
suance of the aforesaid Joint resolution, do
hereby appoint Friday, October 81, 1892, the
four hundredth anniversa ry of the discovery OF
America by Columbus, general holiday for
the people OF the United States On that day
let the people, so far possible, cease from toll
and devote themselves to such exercises as
may best ex press honor to the discoverer and
hai iofj Of ha
Of the four completed centuries Of American
life.
Columbus stood In his age the pioneer OF
progress and enlightenment The system of uni
versal education is in our age the most prom
inent nd salutary feature of the spirit of
lightenment, and it is peculiarly appropriate
that the SCHOOLS be made by the people the cen
ter of the days demonstration. Let the nation
al flag float over every schoo!house in the coun-
try and the exercises be such as shall impress
upon our youth the patriotic duties Of American
citizenship
In the churches and in the other places OF as
sembly of the people let there be expressions Of
gratitude to Divine Providence for the devout
faith of the discoverer and for the Divine care
and guidance which has directed our history
and so abundantly blessed our people.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States
to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this 21st
day of July, in tho year of our Lord one thou
sand eight hundred and ninety-two, and Of the
independence of the United States the one
hundred and seventeenth
BENJAMIN HARRISON
By the president:
John w. Foster, secretary of state.
That this is a wise and proper move
is fact which will undoubtedly be rec
ognized by the school authorities of
every state in the union, and that an
event so important and impressive will
gain for this great nation a lasting
fame is beyond all dispute. 1t behooves,
therefore, every school throughout the
land to take an active part in the exer-
cises of the day and to put forth every
effort to make it a grand SUCCESS