The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1892-09-01

SCHOOLS WIN larger resources are likely
to extend the programme with addi-
tional features, such as special music by
chorus or orchestra, historical exercises,
pageants, etc. The largest liberty for
individual ingenuity and taste is left to
all schools, and the executive committee
would encourage local variety to be
given to the official programme.
The Official Programme
will consist of the following features:
|. RAISING AND SALUTING THE FLAG
under the direction, wherever possible,
of a detail of the veterans of the war;.
g THE Song OF COLUMBUS DAY
Ito well known tune).
g. THE ADDRESS
Ito be acclaimed by the best speaker among
the boys).
4. The ODE
Ito be read OF recited by young LADY,.
s. america"
(Which will in all cases be the closing
song).
The song, the address and the ode
will all be original, prepared especially
for the celebration by some of the best
of American writer's.
By the LIST of September thds official
programme, fa a complete form, sciH be
published throughout the country, and
,ciU also be sent to all applicants arho ad
dress the chairman of the erecutiUe COM
mittee.
Even if nothing be added to this pro-
gramme, except perhaps few speeches
and some familiar national songs, the
ceremonies viii be impressive and
worthy of the occasion.
But for schools which desire to ar
range a more enriched programme a
number of other appropriate features
may be at the same time suggested by
the executive committee
The Public School Houses,
it is to be remembered, are to be the
scenes of this morning celebration. AS
far as possible in each school house all
the rooms under the same principal
should unite in having the same exer-
cises. The parents and friends of the
pupils should be- brought together.
Family interests on Columbus Day
should be made to center in the partic-
ular school house the children attend.
In the country the day ought to be
made real holiday. Farm and house
hold work might well be relinquished,
and the families of the district might
come together at the school house with
their picnic lunches prepared to make
a day of memorable festivity. The COM
memoration exercises of the morning
being over, the afternoon might be de-
voted to games and to social reunions of
neighbors, which would make the day a
joyous one to millions of our hard work.
ing population.
The Afternoon Celebration.
In nearly all cities and large villages,
however, the citizens will wish a formal
demonstration on Columbus Day which
may be in their own hands. Wherever
the citizens are to conduct celebration
two matters should be especially ar
ranged:
First-That the civic celebration oc-
cur in the afternoon, so that it will not
conflict with the morning celebrations
which are going on in all the school
houses.
Second-That in the afternoon cele-
bration by the people ample recognition
should be given to the public school
idea, which is to be the characteristic of
the day throughout the nation.
This afternoon celebration will vary
with each locality, but the citizens will
gladly accord to the free school institu-
ton the place of honor.
This leading position for the schools
in the afternoon celebration can be cas-
lily arranged:
First, a most fitting feature will be a
Public School Review"
Ii there is a general procession this
public school review may be part of
it, and the most honored part. If there
is no procession by any other organi-
cations the school may have their re-
view by themselves. Let the pupils
march by in classes and with ban
pers, led bv their teachers. Let the
army veterans, north and south, the
'lue and the gray alike, be invited to
larch with the schools as an escort of
Aonor. As the reviewing stand is reached,
where the dignitaries are assembled, let
each part of tho procession salute the
flag of the nation with cheers and wav-
ing Of handkerchiefs.
If the weather is propitious there need
be no difficulty in a perfect arrange
ment of this review. The streets can be
cleared by the police, the marching col
umns of children can be protected by
lines Of militia or of some other local
organization on both sides, and the
movements may be made as safe as in
the schoolyard itself.
The afternoon celebration by the citi-
zens may also include
Mass Meeting
ct the public hall. This meeting. how
ever. in many localities, will occur in
the evening. An important place in the
exercises of this meeting should be given
to the free school as the characteristic
product of the four centuries of Ameri-
can life, and as the safeguard of our
free institutions for the future At
least one of the speakers should deal
with this subject. Moreover, .Tbe Song
of Columbus Day." sung at the morning
celebration in all the schools, might be
repeated by the general audience in this
mass meeting. While in some cases 1t
may be impossible for the schools TO be
present en- masse at the public meeting.
they may at least send delegations.
Prominent seats should be reserved for
the representatives of the pupils. and one
OF the exercises of the afternoon might
be assigned to them.
In these ways, and in others which
will suggest themselves. the