Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-09-13
co,iinnlIs nav.

Il seems settled that The popular OBJ
survance Of Columbus Day, Oct. II, 10
likely 20 10 the most general Of any Of
the centennials through which we have
psssed. Thsrc Il no doubt that the
American people, ~ . whole, have b.
come thoroughly Interested In the signin-
caucc Of this &00th anniversary.
One strong reason for thls vide Inter
eat II the public school leadership OF the
national celebration. A soon ~ this
school leadership WAS proposed. the
press of the country began 10 commend
the idea; it WAS received fAvorably by
superintendent Of education, teachers
and thoughtful citizens generally.
so it came about that the klca proved
acceptable Ia everybody. Then u was
further promoted by the Official recog.
nitions it received. The National Edu-
caiIonai Association adopted Il, and ap-
pointed all the state superintendents .
committee 10 carry u out; and q special
committee with headquarters ut the
Youths Companion Office, Boston, Ia
push the movement and To prepare 4
uniform official program for use In every
locality. Ccmmander-ln-chlef Palmer
of the Grand Army, saw the opportu..
nifty the plan offered, and Issued gene nj
orders that all the q. A. II. posts In the
country link themselves with the schools
In a grand patriotic, bipartisan demon
strAtion on Columbus Day,-asslstins
the schools 20 raise aud salute the Dag,
aud escortlng them In the review.
Congress finally recognized the move
ment By directing the president 10 pro
claim Oct. ~ q holiday to be observed
by suitable exercises Ia the schools.
The proclamation recently Issued by tbs
president gave emphatic accent 10 the
school Idea, aud recommended that the
people everywhere make II the centre oi
the local observances.
The Official program, by making GET
tain Of the days exercises uniform Ia
all localities, viii give the national OBJ
servanc an important unity. IL. lead
Ing provisions are as follows;
The school. everywhere are to Assem-.
BILE at the usual hour on th. morning III
Oct. ~. A detail of veterans L. expect
ell Ia arrive soon after, aud all will ~
pair Ia the yard. The exercises will be-
gin with reading ~ the proclamation,
Then the dag will De- raised by the vet
Grams, aud .aluted by all the pupils Ia q
brief exercise, terminating In the song
.My Country, tis Of Thee" Afier ~
vine ackno~ Judgements, the song OF
Columbus Day, an original hymn for the
occasion aud set io the old tune OF
Lyons" will be sung by all. Follow
Ing, will b. defamation 81 the Address
for Columbus bay, aud q reading of the
ode Tor Columbus Day, both original
production. for the occasion.
Opportunity will then lie given foi
whatever additional features local enter
prise may provide: aud the morning OBJ
.eryancc Will end With short addresses
BY citizens, and national songs.
For Oh. afternoon a Public School
Review u suggested; or, " there IL a
civic parade, u Il urged that the schools
escorted by the veterans, be- made the
prominent feature. Ia the mass meet
Ing ~ citizens, with which many places
will conclude the day, u Ia proposed
that among the speccbe. ample rccogni
tion be given TAI the American system oi
free. universal education a. q source oI
American progress and the hope Of th'
future.
The date, the first 10 September, fol
the publication Of TIL. program Il for
tunate, for IL falls at the opening ~ th'
term of the majority Of the Americat
schools; aud teacher. and pupil. will b,
In the mood for an eager aud spirit.,
undertaking Of tb. celebration.
October ?lst Il le.s than siS week
distant, hut all of this time may be- usc
"a excellent advantage In preparing fol
the celebration. Ia undertakings Of THU
character unavoidable delays are apt "a
occur. The schools which begin I'm
mc,iiately on the work which must h
done Ia make the eel. bration . credit Il
thcm.el,c. aud their town, will escape
the annoying situations likely Ia sri.e u
everything IL left until the eleventh
hour.