Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-10-27


Harmony having been restored by the
consolidation of the two dates, the pres
ident at once issued his proclamation
No state document was ever drawn
which better carried out the spirit
which had prompted it than did this
proclamation A single sentence in that
message to the people tells the purpose
which has pervaded the movement: ''Let
the national flag float over every school
house in the country and the exercises be
such as shall impress upon our youth the
duties of American citizenship"
A movement instantly secures anumer
GUS following when success is assured,
when every element of uncertainty has
been eliminated. This was especially
true of the National Columbian Public
School Celebration after it had received
congressional recognition and the proc
lamation by the president had been is
sued. Hundreds of papers, which had
been conspicuous by their silence, APP
plauded the undertaking and felicitated
the journal which had conceived and so
successfully promoted the plan. Thirty
five governors of states were also pleased
to give it their sanction by issuing proc
lamations. In several other states and
territories special recommendations We're
made by the governors, who, in the alb
sence of legislative enactment, could not
proclaim the day general holiday.
With the Endorsement of the chief ex-
scutive of both nation and states. of
thousands of prominent educators, of
newspapers, of the Grand Army and
other patriotic orders the Public School
Celebration became a success beyond all
cavil of doubt weeks before it took place.
In the great three days Columbian eel
ebIation in New York city a prominence,
highly gratifying to the friends of free
education. was given the public schools
in the opening parade. The enthusiasm
aroused by the 10000 pupils of public
schools as they marched by the review
ing stand on Fifth avenue cannot be
presented even in word picture.
By common consent it was the crown
ing feature of that great demonstration
New Workers. realized as they had never
before that the public school is our most
distinctive American institution. In it
alone is the hope of the future. The
governors of states and their stats, the
the National Guard and the Grand
Army posts moved past the reviewing
stand amid long continued applause
and cheers, but it was the representa-
tives Of the public schools which
brought the tens of thousands seated
in the grand stands to their feet and
elected unbounded enthusiasm. Count
less cheers blended in wild uproar as
the youth of the New York public
schools passed the governors stand.
The deafening din was collective ex-
preston of the pride which that vast
audience had in its free school system.
New York city alone retained the old
style date. The state legislature had
named Oct. 10 to 10 for the demonstra-
ton in that city, and was not in session
when the change to the new style was
approved by congress. New York's cele-
bration did, however, exert wide in
fluence in quickening interest through
out the nation-a popular enthusiasm
obtained in all quarters. Thousands of
localities, through their schools, re-
sponded and announced their determine
ton to appropriately observe the day.
A few weeks ago the national COM
mittee sent a request to all superintend-
ents of education throughout the nation
there being over 1000 in all-asking
them to ascertain the number of schools
under their supervision which intended
TO assume the leadership of the local
celebration. When the returns were all
in the committee found that 100, 600 pub
lie schools-more than one-half of all
there are in the country-were pledged
to the celebration. This list was far
from complete. Thousands of schools
which opened late in September or early
in October had no opportunity to ex-
press themselves.
Possibly some one is asking, now that
the celebration is over, "What has it ac-
complishedy' what practical lesson
has it taughtg' 1t is well that such
questions be put. 1t is also well that
they can be happily answered. DR.. w
T. Harris, United States commissioner
of education, recently expressed the
opinion "that the broadcast and truest
patriotism must be stimulated by max
ing the best use of special opportunities
All legitimate occasions should be used
to impress on the minds of children
their connection with the history of the
world
First, it may be said that the public
school celebration has caused the eyes
of the nation to be conferred upon the
product of its educational plant. 1t has
brought home to the mind of every
thoughtful citizen what North America
owes TO free education. 1t has pre-
sented the public school as the keystone
in the arch of American civilization, as
the most characteristic fruit of the four
centuries that are gone. 1t is to be
hoped that it has aroused them to a
deeper study of its needs: that it has
made them conscious of its perils and
stirred them to its protection.
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