Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-10-27
COLUMBUS DAY
Grand and Imposing Celebration at
West Randolph.

Columbus Day vas very appropriat ely
observed here BY the schools and patriot
| ic citizens. Flags and banners decorated
the dwelling houses and stores IN the ous-
mess mart OF the village. The exercises IN
the schoolhouse yard consisted of the
reading of the Proclamation by Prin. n:
/ Whitehill followed by the unfurl1ng OF
the q. S. flag when three ringing cneers
were given for sold Glory" by the vster-
ans and by salute of the nag by tne
schools by which each pupil pledged al,
Iegisnce 10 the flag. The song Anerlca
was then sung by the school after whicn
the procession was formed headed ny vet
| Grams under Commander A. A. smith,
then came the High School drum corps,
color bearer Arthur Bean and marshal OF
the day, Clarence Hodges, who was attne
head Of the troop OF scholars. Inc pro,
cession marched up Main st. to Dubois q
Gavis Hall where the veterans formed two
lines allowing the pupils to pass between
into the hall. After prayer by Rev. u w.
Morrow, Commander A. A. smith was
presented by Prin. n. j. Whitehlll, ana
made splendid speech. He addressed
the school as boys and girls, speaking OF
beautiful flag which was then before them;
told them of Columbus and his discovery
| ot our country. In closing Mr.. smith
urged them to remember Columbus Day
and their pledge Of allegiance TO my
Flag" and the country for which 1t STANDS.
This speech was received with great APP
nlause by the audience as well as the schol-
ars. The following is the rest OF the Of
fetal programme as ii was carried out IN
Song.-"Columbus Day" by the school.
Address.-sThe meaning of the -Four
Centuries" by Clarence E. Hodges OF the
Junior class "93."
/ Dannarr hu Miss
Winnie Chadwick Of the Grammar depart
ment, which concluded the official pro-
gramrne, after which was an acrostlc
| columbus by eight young misses from
the Primary school which reflects great
credit upon both teacher and scholars;
this was followed by a song from thirty
voung ladies OF the intermediate de-
partment which was the feature OF the
day and was heartily applauded.
An Essay, "The Story OF Columbus by
Miss Edith abbott of the Senior class "93'
which was written especially for this oc-
casion by Miss Abbott reflects great
credit upon her.
merica" by Homer Laid, Pres. OF the SEN
Tor class OF 1893" was presented in an able
manner and was loudly applauded.
j. ID. Denison was then introduced VINO
spoke very eloquently to the pupils and
was repeatedly applauded. His speech Is
given in full below
1t has been left to me,iboys and girls, to
speak to you as to why the State OF YER
mont keeps you in her public schools.
The public school Is the louhuatloh
stone OF the State.
Those of you, who have studied History,
know that four hundred years ago, In the
then known world, only the few were
great; while the many-the great masses
were mere nothings, what we should now
call mere food for power, mere brutes:
| | have not time to trace the growth OF
the people, OF humanity, from there on {;
but it was continued stru ggle on and up,
through torture, suffering, blood ana
death. till the time came when the Eng
lish- speaking race settled this fair land
and then they kept climbing and climb
ing faster, until they reached us. free as
we are o-day.
Ii was with almost inspired wisdom that
the fathers laid the foundations OF govern
ment in the public schools.
The Constitution of the State of YER
mont provided for the public schools IN
the bottom work OF all law. II says there
ought to be q competent number OF schools
maintained in each town and one or more
} grammar schools incorporated and prop
erly supported in each county in the state.
| In 1897 the browning act OF the legls-
lature was to make the college at Bur-
/, lineton, the University of Vermont, the
. crown OF the puDllc scnool. -
No matter how poor then, he, who VIII
20 and is willing, may climb up and up,
until he is the peer OF any in education.
Wasn't | right then, when | said that
, the foundation OF the state was the public
; school? You, boys and girls, are the bot
L tom stone; on you, from the youngest in
, the school up to those who are ready to go
' out from the school, depends the safety OF
= the state.
d You have been told what this flag
5 means. All of you are too young to re-
e member what was done; many OF you will
d have to ask your fathers, and fear some
: OF you will have to ask your mothers; foi
}, your fathers are gone they gave up theii
e lives for that flag. Then won't you back
n it and defend it?
n All that belongs with the public school
d was earned for you by the suffering and
j. death OF hundreds and thousands OF brave
men and noble women. Defend it ther
against all comers-defend the public
{. school; you must soon take the place o.
D gray-haired men in the defence of thai
which constitutes the very foundation o.
10 our government.
IS When Columbus was sailing on tn,
q "shoreless sea- into the unknown west
80 week after week, it is said his mate cam'
IS to him one day and said, "When ! com
"A on deck tomorrow II no land Is seen, wha
"a shall | do?n "Sail on,n said Columbus
10 "and on-and on-and ever on.n Nov
IS take that as your motto ard sail on-an'
45 on-and ever on, and take the publ
school with you. Defend it against al
r corners, no matter what or who comes
Defend it for the states sake; for withou
lg this defence the state will go down; TO
r none are wise enough to hold it up. n
n matter who comes or by what name he
Id called, defend your school against a
Il. corners and the state is safe.
e. The song america was then sung b.
lg the school and audience after which the
l. were all dismissed.
oe Great credit is due Prin. n. j. Whitehi
lis land the teachers of the different depart
tn ments, for the getting up and carrying o.
as to so successful an issue the program
ng the day.
X
q. BrOOkfield.
Columbus Day was observed at the See
81 h,