The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-05-26
The Columbus Day Demonstrations

The Columbus Day Demonstrations.
CHAIRMAN BELLAMY OF THE NATIONAL
COLUMBIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL CELEBRA-
TIoN COMMISSION TALKS ABOUT THE
PLAN FOR OCTOBER Il.
Especial correspondence of The 10 urnal. |
A Boston correspondent of the Journal
called upon Francis Bellamy, Chairman
of the Executive Committee of the Nation
al Columbian Public School Celebration
of Oct ODER II, at his headquarters in The
Youths Companion building recently.
His office presented a scene Of busy ac-
tivity. The clicking of the ypewriters
together with the rapid dictation OF his
secretaries to the stenog raphers were evil
dences that Chairman Bellamys well-laid
plans were being launched with all posi-
BILE speed.
After waiting his turn the representa-
tive of The journal secured brief inter
view with Mr.. Bellamy.
'1 on appear to be busy" observed our
correspondent, by way Of opening the con-
verSatiOn
''l on are quite right replied Nh.
Bellamy. s'This is scarcely a vacaci on
period with any of us. With the force
you see about me here, it is as much as |
can do to keep pace with this work. The
daily correspondence is very large indeed.
We have mailed upwards of 3, 600 personal
letters in a single day.
''To whom is this immense correspond
ence directed MI. Bellamy?'
"My correspondence is largely with the
press and with superintendent and edu-
Gators all over the country. Then there
are great many letters of inquiry from
teachers and pupils about the Celebration.
We have volunteered to give practical sug
gestions to them on how to secure a
school-house flag, and this one feature of
our work is by no means small. "
''Why is it important that they get a
flag at this timer
''Chiehy because one Of the features of
the local celebrations on October II will be
raising and saluting the school-house flag.
and the Executive Committee desire that
every school from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific should fly the colors on that day
Moreover the organized school-house flag
movement has been potent factor in
swelling the rising tide of Amercanism,
and we want every school i'll America to
share in this patriotic influence.
care you not pushing this work with
unnecessary vigor, Mr.. Bellamy? October
l. is nearly five months distant.
''You must not lose sight of the fact
that my work deals directly with the pub
lie school. In few weeks many of them
will have been closed for tile summer
The last tive weeks Of the June term are
usually devoted I" preparation for closing
exercises, So You see it is important that
La, lr,1tnbt TIA, l,. M, r :
work during tile month of May. 1t is ollr
plan to have every school entering the
celebration appoint 4 committee before
separating Tor the simmer. to have charge
of the local program. This committee
will perfect many OF the general arrange
ments during the summer months. when
its members are free from school duties.
Then, when the fall term opens, they will
have a month to devote to details. Work
ING upon this plan. the school will come up
to October II in good shape and III com
plete readiness for tilst-class dem"nstra
ton. They will avoid the confusion, dis
appointment, and imperfect order Of eN
ercises likely to result if the entire prepa-
ration is deferred until September.
when will the official program which
your Committee is preparing be publicly
announced?
"Probably not much before September.
We have already stated that it would en-
brace a salute to the flag. an ode. popu-
lar carol. and a brief Grafton. We pro
pose to have the very best that American
talent can produce. We Shall select only
the most meritorous and fitting produc-
lions.
xviii you not have difficulty in adapr-
ing your program to all grades of schools?
No. We have arranged AL that The
official program will provide for morn
ing celebration in the school houses. tS-
pecally for the pupils. This morning
program may follow out the official pro
gram, and is to be simple but impressive.
1t may be elaborated. however, accord; no
to the resources OF the school. We Shall
suggest various features which may be
added. Cities and towns are already },re-
pairing for Il general citizens celebration:
SO we shall 80 further than our off ial
program and suggest provisions for an AT
ternoon or evening celebration in the larry
est hail. designed tol the public general
ly, hut with the public school as the
dominant feature, and at which the 0 der
pupils will be present by delegation or en-
ntltSSt. This afternoon celebration NAY
be preceded by Il grand procession.
GLOW does the press regard this m We
ment?'
The press is supporting and advocat-
ing it with remarkable vigor. There has
scarcely been liissenter. The response
has been prompt, generous. and cordial
irrespective OF party. tie American press
is working for the Public School Celebra-
ton. The American press has never yet
regarded movement Of like patriotic sig
niticance with indifference n
CIV hat led to the choice of the public
school as the centre of the local celebra-
tionso''
''1 on must remember that this move
ment was not started simply for the sake
of having a celebration, but rather to give
the American public school a fitting prom
inence as the fruit of four centuries of
American life. There are $1,000, 600 pu-
pills in our public schools. In 1880 the en-
tire population of the United States was
only II, 500, 600 There is consequently a
larger nation Of pupils now in our free
schools than the whole nation of sixty
years ago.
''Do you think these scholars can real
ly bring the thing to pass?'
They can make it succeed if they
unite. The interest of the public will be
awakened, if the scholars Join in earnestly
asking that their schools be allowed to
join i'll the observance Of the day They
will show our messages to their teachers
and to their school committees. These
will take up their cause ii the scholars
,l.,xxr