The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-09-24
National Columbian Public School Gel.
ebratiOn on the Anniversary Of
Americas Discovery.
1t is Declared a Legal Holiday by the
President, and Schools Will
he Closed.
Some Reasons Why the Day Should
be Appropriately Observed with
Public Ceremonies.

The president has designated the 2lst
day Of October, 1892, as a general holi-
day, it being the four hundredth ami.
versary of the discovery of America by
Columbus. On July % the executive
committee of a proposed national public
school celebration on Columbus day met
in Boston AMI reported that the project
of such a celebration met with public
approval. The TRIBUNE has asked the
views Of the superintendent of the city
schools here and of the president of the
school board, MI. j. p. Lewis. The lat
ter gentleman says IA meeting of the
board was held recently and the matter
came up for discussion. 1t was decided
to have a Columbus day in the
schools. the time to be de-
voted to general delineation
of the great work of the discoverer. The
reasons for not giving a public exhibit
ton, Mr.. Lewis says, are that as it now
is there are a great many legal holidays
when the schools are closed. and it is
not deemed expedient to divert the
minds of pupils from their studies by
making extensive preparations for a
public display. Works descriptive of
the achievements of Columbus will be
procured and each department 10 the
schools will devote the day to acquiring
a knowledge of him. 1t is further urged
that a general exhibition would be I'M
attended and that at the end of the day,
under the plan proposed by the board,
there will be a wider knowledge of Co.
lumbus than can be impaired in any
other way. Parents and friends of the
will be invited to attend the en-
ercises.
AS against the view of the proposed
public celebration entertained by the
local school board, there are many opin-
ions of leading educators throughout the
in its favor. Primarily. it is
said the day being declared a national
holiday the schools cannot be kept open.
educators of America
have given the proposed plan of a public
celebration their most cordial endorse
ment. Some of their reasons for so do
.ng are summarized herewith and they
meet with the approval of many of our
citizens.
Every effort made to promote the love
our country in the minds of the
children should be wisely and efficiently
encouraged. A celebration, well con
will be of immense public ser
ice in intoxicating tine spirit of patriot
SIN in the rising generation. Every
American should heartily ap-
prove of the proposition. No better rec
ignition could be had than a children's
oyous day in commemoration of the dis
of a continent that rendered it
to establish a free republic
which has developed into one Of the
oremost and enlightened nations of the
'arth. There is none too much of the
ointment Of patriotism now abroad in
land. and any enterprise which tends
o increase it can not fail to be of the
Utmost benefit.
1t is hoped that the school board Of
city will decide to give Columbus
Iay the recognition it deserves by having
general gathering Of the children now
eceiving tuition in the city and exert
very effort to encourage and promote
atriotism among the pupils of the pub.
C schools. This virtue, it is wisely
laimed, should be a part of the curricu
I'M of every school in the land. as upon
educational feature depends, in a
irge measure, the defense and mainte-
ance of American institutions as found
d by the fathers of the republic.
md as the name and fame
J. Columbus are not lOca!
T. limited. or belong to any single coun-
ry or people, but one Of the proud pos.
essions of the whole civilized world, it
) the conviction of the TRIBUNE after
onv'r sation with citizens of this city
are of the same opinion that there
hould be an appropriate and fitting
ublic celebration in this city on the Dist
[ October, of an event of so great i'm
o~rtance in the history of the land in
hich we live.