The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-29
COLUMBUS DAY IN SCHOOLS
Plan for q Big Celebration to Be Held


COLUMBUS DAY IN SCHOOLS
Plan for 9 Big Celebration to Be Held
Next Fall.
The executive committee of the ColuIn-
| bian public school celebration has sent out
message to the pupils of all the public
schools of the United States. This mes
sage is signed by Francis Bellamy. chair
man, representing the Youths Companion,
Boston, Mass. J ohm w. Dickinson, secre-
tary of Massachusetts, board of education;
Thomas 3. Stockwell. commissioner OF
public schools of Rhode Island; w. K.
Garrett, superintendent of public instruc-
ton of Tennessee; w. C. Hewitt, superin-
tendent of Michigan educational exhibit;
at Worlds fair.
The address is as follows:
The 18th of October, 1897, the 400th ami
versary OF the discovery OF America, ought to be
observed everywhere in America.
The day will be marked in Chicago by the
dedication OF the Columbian exposition
grounds. The day also may be signalized In
every town and village in the republic by local
celebration OF which the public school Is the
center
The public schools OF the republic will form
the most fitting centers for all these local ceie-
brations A national public school observance
awaken a popular interest in the coming ex-
position. Far more important is the fact that
the pubic school has the right 10 occupy the
mos. prominent place in the celebration. Inc
public school is the one characteristic institu-
ton which links all neighborhoods together,
and can thus furnish n common bond Tor ma
tional celebration. The public school, is the
ripe fruit of four centuries OF American ciViliza
ton. The public schoo. OF today sways the
hundred wears to come.
The first approval of this suggest came
from the public school scholars tnemse YES
Whea the plan was first proposed by the Youths
Companion. January, 1891, thousands OF letters
were received, test.fying to the enthusiasm with
which the scholars responded.
The Worlds Congress Auxiliary OF the Column
bian exposition then took up the proposal, CALI
ing upon all the people OF the republic to oo-
serve the day in their own localities, and sug-
costing that the public schools be everywhere
the centers of the celebration.
The superint andents OF education were the
next to rec gnize the fitness OF giving to the
public schools the fir>t piace in this Columbian
anniversary. At their national convention in
Brooklyn, in February, 1892, they took charge OF
the movement, and appointed the Undersigned
an executive committee to lead the schools in
their comm I'm grafton.
This executive committee now appeals to the
scholars themselves to b. the first TO move. 1t
i
schools, to arouse sentiment in your schools
and in your neighborhools for this grand way
of celebrating the fuding OF America. Edu-
Gators and teachers will meet you from their
side. But it is for you to begin.
You will make it succeed if you unite to say
that il ought to be done. The interest OF the
public will be awakened if the scholars join in
the earnest request that the school be allowed
to be the center OF the days observance.
There are 100000 now in the public schools.
You have the chance to conduct patriotic
movement which will have place in history,
and will strengthen the republic through the
coming century.
The first thing to do is to determine, when
you read this message, that you will do all you
can to induce your school 20 enter the ceebra-
ton. Then show this message to your teachers;
every patriotic teacher will be glad to help you
If you show yourselves in earnest Take the
message to the school committee and the super
intendent; their consent and aid are indispens-
able.
After you secure the support OF all these. then
let the school vote that il will enter the ceebra-
ton.
The next thing after this public vote will be
the appointment OF s,rong committee to take
the charge. This committee should be made up
10 ntly from scholars, teachers and friends OF
the S hool. The committee should in all ca>es
be made up of those who are most in earnest,
possible change of teachers during the summer
A programme of Exercises viii be furnished
by the executive committee. II Will be simple
and adapted to any school, yet so arranged that
more elaborate exerc ses may be I'D ied wherever
desired. The aim OF this official programme
will be that certain leading exercises may be
the same in every school in the republic; and
that at least in ona feature the Chicago pro-
gramTne and the school programme may be
identical.
In due time this executive committee will
make more definite srgge,tions on me hods of
celebration through the superintendent OF edu-
ca,ion and through the press.
The duty OF your committee will first be to
interest the citizens and 20 prepare the school.
Professions may be arranged. The veterans,
both North and South, will gladly be escorts for
the schools The other military, civic and reIi-
gious organizations of each town viii lend their
aid if they see that the schools are determined
that the celebration shall be worthy of the day.
The local press will be the most valuable OF all
supports, and the earliest effort of your local
committee should be TO enlist its sympathy and
request It's cooperation Ask your local paper
TO print this message.
On october y the stars and stripes should be
floating from every schoolhouse in the republic.
1t is the hope OF the friends OF common school
education that not one public school in the
Cnitei states shall allow itself TO be LETT out il
this most memorable celebration.
A similar address has been issued TO the
teachers, and they have been requested to
make their preliminary arrangements be-
fore the close Of the present term. Copies
OF the address have been received in Seat
tie. and steps will De taken to make the
celebration notable one in the history Of
the schools here