The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-08-12

to gather on oct. II, at the usual hour,
in their school houses. But instead of
the regular recitations the morning is to
be devoted to exercises befitting the an
niversary. These exercises may be SIM
pie or elaborate, according to the re-
sources Of the school. Many schools
will doubtless do little more than use
the official programme, adding to it the
old, familiar national songs and few
speeches by leading citizens. Other
schools with larger resources are likely
to extend the programme with addi-
tional features, such as special music by
chorus or orchestra, historical exercises,
pageants, etc. The largest liberty for
individual ingenuity and taste is left to
all schools, and the executive committee
would encourage local variety to be
given to the official programme.
The Omcial Programme
will consist of the following features:
!. RAISING AND SALUTING THE FLAG
(under the direction. wherever possible,
of detail of the veterans Of the war;
2. The SoNG OF COLUMNS DAY
ito q well known tune)
3. THE ADDRESS
ito be declaimed by the best speaker among
the boys.
4. THE ODE
Cto be read or recited by a young LADY,.
s. AMERICA"
(which will in all cases be the closing
song).
The song, the address and the ode
will all be original, prepared especially
for the celebration by some of the best
of American writers.
By the 1St Of September this official
programme, IN a complete form, ciH be
published throughout the country, and
,ciH also be sent to all applicants who ad-
dress the chairman Of the erecutire COM
mittee.
Even if nothing be added to this pro-
',ramme, except perhaps few speeches
nd some familiar national songs, the
ceremonies will be impressive and
worthy of the occasion.
But for schools which desire to ar
range more enriched programme a
number of other appropriate features
may be at the same time suggested by
the executive committee.
The Public School Houses,
it is to be remembered, are to be the
scenes of this morning celebration. As
far as possible in each school house all
the rooms under the same principal
should unite in having the same exer-
cises. The parents and friends Of the
pupils should be brought together.
Family interests on Columbus Day
should be made to center in the partic-
ular school house the children attend.
In the country the day ought to be
made real holiday. Farm and house
hold work might we'll be relinquished,
and the families of the district might
come together at the school house with
their picnic lunches prepared to make
day of memorable festivity. The CON-
memoration exercises of the morning
being over, the afternoon might be de-
voted to games and to social reunions of
neighbors, which would make the day a
Joyous one to millions Of our hard work.
ing population.
The Afternoon Celebration.
In nearly all cities and large villages,
however, the citizens will wish a formal
demonstration on Columbus Day which
may be In their own hands, Wherever
the citizens are to conduct celebration
two matters should be especially ar
ranged:
Ffrst-That the civic celebration oc-
cur in the afternoon, so that it will not
conflict with the morning celebrations
which are going on in all the school
houses.
Second-That in the afternoon cele-
bration by the people ample recognition
should be given to the public school
idea, which is to be the characteristic of
the day throughout the nation.
This afternoon celebration will vary
with each locality, but the citizens will
gladly accord to the free school institu-
tion the place of honor.
This leading position for the schools
in the afternoon celebration can be cas-
lily arranged
First, most fitting feature will be a
Public School Review"
II there is general procession this
public school review may be part of
it, and the most honored part. If there
is no procession by any other organi-
cations the school may have their re-
view by themselves. Let the pupils
march by in classes and with ban
ners, led by their teachers. Let the
army veterans, north and south, the
blue and the gray alike, be invited to
march with the schools as an escort of
honor. AS Interviewing stand is reached,
where the dignitaries are assembled, let
each part of the procession salute the
flag of the ma On with cheers and wav-
ing Of handkerchiefs.
If the weather is propitious there need
be no difficulty in a perfect arrange