The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-10-21
A PATRIOTIC PROGRAMME.
Plans for tho Public School Observance
of Columbus Day.


of Columbus Day.
When the American superintendents
Of education at their Brooklyn meeting
last winter appointed their executive
committee to take charge of the national
public school celebration of Columbus
Day, they instructed them especially to
prepare uniform programme Of exer-
cises for all localities.
This official programme is now pub
ished. 1t. provides specifically for a
morning celebration in the school houses,
and suggestions are made for afternoon
demonstrations in which schools and
citizens may unite. The morning cere-
monies are to be as follows:
The schools are to assemble In their
school houses at the usual hour on the
morning of Oct 81. All the rooms
under the same principal, so far as pos
Sble, are to unite in the same exercises.
Although it is gala day, the discipline
is to be precise, and the session is sup
posed to exhibit the results Of careful,
painstaking preparations.
The principal sees that everything is
in readiness, gives his last injunct!ons
and with his special guests waits the ar
rival of the detail Of veterans who are
to assist in raising and saluting the flag
The veterans are awaited at the gate by
acolor guard Of pupils and are escorted
with dignity to the main room and
presented to the principal. Then the
signal is given, and each room in turn,
to drumbeat or other music, marches to
the school yard, where the exercises are
to take place and where seats have been
arranged. The pupils are drawn up in
alarge hollow square around the flag,
md the veterans and color guard take
their places at the halyards.
The exercises are opened by the mas
ter of ceremonies, who may be the prin-
cipal or an appointed person, reading
the presidents proclamation for the
school celebration Of the day, In which
be urges that every school in the land
shall fly the national flag. He orders
+ the flag unfurled. and the veterans run
itup the staff and lead the assemblago
in three cheers for the stars and stripes.
Then, led by the principal, the pupils
gave an impressive salute to the colors,
pledging allegiance to the flag and to
the republic for which 1t stands. This
salute properly terminates in the sing
ing of "My country, It's Of theel" by the
whole audience.
Following this unique ceremony and
IN acknowledgment Of Divine Provi-
dence come the specially contributed
features of the official programme. The
arst Of these Is the song of Columbus
Day by Theron Brown, the distinguished
writer of sweet songs. This is to be sung
20 the old and majestic tune of "Lyons. !"
Then follows the address Of Columbus
Day, which is thoughtful and brilliant
defamation prepared by The Youths
Companion as its special gift to the cele-
oration. The final feature is the read
lng of the ode Of Columbus Day. This
aew poem, by Edna Dean Proctor, is a
masterpiece. 1t will take high and per-
nanent rank as an American classic.
The privilege Of declaiming this noble
address, and Of rendering the superb
de, will be n coveted distinction among
he pupils Of our schools, and the assign
nent should be very carefully made
This concludes the uniform features
Il the official programme. Following
hese are expected to come the local ad-
litions, such as historic representations,
patriotic recitations and chorals, with
which the schools may elaborate the ex-
arcises. 1t will also be the usual thing
sor addresses to be made by the eminent
quests of the occasion, and for the
.amiliar national hymns to be sung.
Preparations for the creditable rem
sering of this programme cannot begiu
100 soon. The most careful arrange
nents should be made Persistent re.
aearsing is imperative.
The families of all the pupils should
ne invited. Citizens generally should he
expected at the school houses on the
evening Of Oct. 81. Seats for the as
semblage should be provided out of
doors, and a suitable room should also
be held in readiness for retreat in case
af storm.