The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-09-30
The Four Hundredth Anniversary OF
the Discovery of America by
Columbus.
Official Programme Prepared for the
National Columbian Public
School Celebration.
Suggestions Of the Executive Com
mittee Relative to a Suitable
Observance of the Day.

In obedience to an act of congress, the
president on July Dist issued a procla-
nation recommending that October 21st.
the 4OOth anniversary of the discovery
of America. be celebrated everywhere
in America by suitable exercises in the
schools. The executive committee, con-
sisting of Francis Bellamy, Of Boston,
Mass, chairman, John w. Dickinson,
secretary of the Massachusetts board of
education; Thomas B. Stockwell, COM
missioner of Rhode Island public
schools; W. r. Garrett, superintendent
of public instruction of Tennessee and
W. 9. Hewitt, of Michigan, have pre-
pared a uniform programme for every
school in America. The programme is as
follows:
The schools should assemble at 8 a. IN.
in their various rooms. At $50 the de-
tail of Veterans is expected to arrive.
1t is to be met at the entrance of the
yard by the Color guard of pupils, es-
corted with dignity to the building, and
presented to the principal. The prin-
cipal then gives the signal and the sew
eral teachers conduct their pupils to the
yard to beat of drum or other music. and
arrange them in a hollow square about
the flag, the Veterans and Color guard
taking places by the flag itself. The
master Of ceremonies then gives the COM
mand, attention. and begins the ex-
~ercises by reading the proclamation.
l. Reading Of the presidents proclama-
ton, by master of ceremonies.
At the close of the reading he an
nounces: I'm accordance with this rec
ommendation by the president OF the
ton to our country, let the flag of the
nation be u~nfurled above this school,
9. Raising of the flag, by the veterans.
AS the flag reaches the top of the staff
the veterans will lead the assemblage in
"Three Cheers for Old Glory"
3. Salute to the flag, by the pupils.
At a signal from the principal the pu-
pills, in ordered ranks, hands to the side
face the flag. Another signal is given
every pupil gives the flag the military sa.
%lute-right hand lifted, palm downward
to a line with the forehead and close to
it. Standing thus, all repeat together
slowly: IL pledge allegiance to my flal
and the republic for which it stands; on
nation indivisible. with liberty and jus
tice for ALL" At the words ito my flag
the right hand is extended gracefully
palm upward, toward the flag, and re
mains in this gesture to the end of thu
affirmation; whereupon all hands imme
aiately drop to the side. Then, still
standing, as the instruments strike
chord, all will sing "America"-"M M,
Country, it's of Thee"
4. Acknowledgment of God prayer o.
scripture.
). Song of Columbus day, by pupils ant
audience.
6. The address 1.-THE Meaning Of thu
Four Centuries"
A defamation of the special addres.
prepared for the occasion.
I. The Ode-"Columbia's Banner
A reading of the poem written for thu
occasion by Edna Dean Proctor. Herr
should follow whatever additional eXer
cisee, patriotic recitations, historic rep
reservations, or chorals that may he de
sired.
8. Addresses bv citizens and natlOna
songs.
The foregoing official programme pro
vides for a morning celebration. The pu
pills of the schools are TO gather On Oct
2l, at the usual hour, in their respectiv
schoolhouses. As far as possible, all tn
rooms in each school house under tn
same principal should unite in havin.
the same exercises. The parents ant
friends of the pupils should be brought
together. Family interests on Columbus
day should be made to centre in the par
"ticular school house where the children
attend.
The exercises of the morning may bC
simple or elaborate. Schools with sutfl
cient may extend the othcia
programme with additional feature,
such as specia' music by chorus or orches
ira, and historical exercises. The larges
liberty is left for individual ingenuit.
and taste.
In cities and villages, however, the
citizens will probably wish a forma
demonstration. which may be in thel
own hands. Wherever the citizens arr
to conduct a celebration. two matters
should be especially arranged
First. that the civic celebration occuI
in the afternoon. so that it will not con
1lcl WIFI the sCIloOliloucc ltiSpl dtiou'
Second. that in the afternoon civic
celebration ample recognition may b'
gwen to the public school idea. the
characteristic of the day throughout the
nation.
Teachers, superintendent and schoo
boards should confer. that action una!
be harmonious and the best results at
tanned. The proposed celebration
should be explained to each school a
the earliest moment. 1t should be SC
presented as TO awaken enthusiasm. In
teresting topics relating to Columbus
and the discovery should be suggested
for special investigation,
Important committees of pupils should
be appointed: |, A committee of invita-.
ton whose duty is to see that the family
of each pupil receives a special invita-
ton to the morning exercises Of Oct. u
and also when they arrive to show them
seats. ,, A color guard. whose duty ID
~ to see that the school has a flag and
"a staff in proper condition; (2)to meet
the veterans as they arrive and escort
them with dignity to 1.-THE principal in the