The Portland daily press., 1892-09-24
A PATRIOTIC PROGRAMME.

WIN ~
A PATRIOTIC PROGRAMME.
Plans for the Public school Observance
of Colunb bus Day.
When the American superintendent
of education at their Brooklyn meeting
last winter appointed their executive
committee to take chafgeof the national
public school celebration of Columbus
Day, they instructed them especially to
prepare uniform programme of exer-
cises for all localities.
This official programme is now pub
lished. It provides specifically for a
morning celebration in the school houses,
and suggestions are made for afternoon
demonstrations in which schools and
citizens may unite Thesmorning cere-
monies are to be as follows:
The schools are to assemble in their
school houses at the usual hour on the
morning of Oct. 81. All the rooms
under the same principal, SO far as pos
sible, are to unite in the same exercises.
Although tits gala day, the discipline
is to- be precise, and the session is sup
posed to exhibit the results of careful,
painstaking preparations.
The principal sees that everything is
in readiness, gives his last injunctons
and with his special guests waits the ar
rival f the detail of veterans who are
to assist in raising and saluting the flag.
The veterans are awaited at the gate by
color guard of pupils and are escorted
with dignity to the main room and
presented to the principal. Then the
signal is given, and each room in turn,
to dru,nbeat or other music, maSches to
the school yard, where the exercises are
to take place and where seats havs been
arranged. The pupils are drawn up in
large hollow square around the flag,
and the veterans and color guard take
their places at the halyards.
The exercises are opened by the mas
ter of ceremonies, who may be the prin-
cipal or an appointed person, reading,
the presidents proclamation for the;
school celebration of theSdsy, in which
he urges that every school in the land
shall fly the national flag. He orders
tie flag rnfurled, and the veterans run
it up the staff and lead the asseElhlaSe
in three cheers for the stars and stripes.
Then, led by the principal, the pupils
give an impressive salute to the coiors,
pledging allegiance to the flag ard to
the republic for which it stands. This
salrte properly terminates in the sing
ing of my country, tits Of theep by the
whole audience.
Following this unique ceremony ard
an acknowledgement of Divine Provi-
dence come the specially contributed
features Of the fieialprograrnme. The
first of these is the song of Columbus
Day by Theron Brown, the distinguished
writer oofgsweet songs. This is to be sungl
to the old and majestic tune of Lyons.
Then follows the address Of Columbus
Day, which is thoughtful and brilliant
defamation prepared by The Youths
Companion as it's special gift to the cele-
bration. The final feature is the read
ing Of the ode of Columbus Day. This
new poem, by Edna Dean Proctor, is a
MASTERPIECES 1t will take high and per-
manent rank as an American classic
The TnaTilege ofMdeeaaiming this noble
address, and / of rendering the superb
ode, will be a coveted distinction among
the pupils IF our schools, ana the assign
ment should be very carefully made.
This concludes tho uniform features
of the official programme. Following
these are expected to come the local ad-
ditions, such as historic representations,
patriotic recitations and chorals, with
which the schools may elaborate the ex-
ercises. It will also be the usual thing
jforqaddFesses 10 be made by the eminent
guests of the occasion, and for the
familiar national hymns to be sung.
Preparations for the creditable rem
dering of this programme cannot begin
too soon The most careful arrange
ments shoold be made. Persistent re-
hearsing IL imperative.
The families of all the pupns.shpuldl
be invited. Citizens generally should be
expected at the school houses on the
evening of Oct. 81. Seats for the as
semblage should be provided out of
doors, and suitable room should also
be held in readiness for retreat in case
of Storm "a