The Republican journal., 1892-06-16
Message to the Public School Teachers.

To the Teachers of the American Public
Schools, the Executive Committee of the
Columbian Public School Celebration
sends the following message:
The 4OOth Anniversary of the Discovery
of America will be the most important OF
the Centennial observances through which
we have passed. 1t will be marked in
Chicago by the dedication of the EXPOSE
ton grounds: and should be celebrated
everywhere in America by fitting eXer-
ciSeS.
To the Public Schools this day presents
a great opportunity. 1t is in their power
to make themselves centres of all local
demonstrations.
This leadership by the Public Schools
was first proposed by 1.-The Youth Com
panion.' The Worlds Congress Auxil-
iary of the Columbian Exposition, through
its President, followed with a request that
the day be celebrated Systematically
throughout America, and suggested that
the Public Schools lead in each local cele-
bIation.
The Department of Superintendent of
the National Educational Association, at
its annual meeting in February, 1892 in
dorsed the proposal and appointed the
State Superintendent of Education as Il
General Committee to lead the Celebration
in their several States. An Executive
Committee was also elected to prepare a
uniform program for use in every locality
in the Republic and to take direct charge
of the movement.
The striking fitness of such Public
School demonstration will appeal to every
patriotic teacher.
1t will give worthy prominence to the
| - al, -
turtles of American life. 1t will bring be
fore the eyes OF our nation and the world,
on a scale of proper magnitude, What North
American civilization owes to free educa-
ton. 1t will also be Il valuable lesson in
intelligent patriotism to over thirteen
millions of pupils in the public schools.
On September lst the official program
will be published uniform for all local.
ties. 1t will be simple, but impressive
and worthy of the day. 1t will provide
for Il morning celebration in the school
houses, especially for the pupils; it will
also suggest an afternoon celebration in
the largest hall. designed for the public
generally; and at which the older pupils
will be present by delegation OF m mdSse.
This afternoon celebration may be pre-
ceded by q grand procession.
The official program will provide that
one of the exercises at the school houses
shall be raising and saluting the flag. No
school should be without its flag on that
day. Schools yet without flags will be
| aided in obtaining them if they address the
Chairman of this Committee
While it is well for the pupils to be
made to feel their responsibility in the
movement, yet the real leadership in every
village and city must rest with the teach
ers.
Let each teacher, therefore. at once in
terest the pupils in the message to the
public schools. Ut will be sent to any
address by the Chairman.) Let the school
vote, with the concurrence OF the school
board, to observe the day. Form a
strong committee of teachers, pupils and
| citizens. Enlist the Press. Induce the
citizens to allow the schools to be the cen
| ire of the local celebration Invite the
veterans of the war to send details to
every school house to assist in the morn
ing salute to the flag, as we'll as to act as
escorts to the pupils in the afternoon par
| AIDE.
| Do all this before the close of the pres
! ent term; for during the summer other
local arrangements may possibly be made
which ignore the primacy of the schools.
As soon as any school decides to celebrate,
inform the Chairman of the Executive
committee, and copy of the official pro
gram Will be sent upon its publication,
September LIST. Also inform the State
superintendent of Education.
Let not one public school in the United
States allow itself to be left out in this
most memorable Celebration. Francis
Bethany, Chairman, Youths Companion
Building, Boston. "....