The record-union., 1892-06-14
COLUMBUS DAY.
Message to the Public School leach
erS of America.
Thirteen Millions of School Children
Celebrating Everywhere in the
Country at One Time.

To the teachers of the American public
schools the Executive Committee of the
Columbian Public School Celebration
sends the following message:
The four hundredth anniversary of the
discovery of America Will be the most
important Of the centennial obserYances
through which we have passed. 1t VIII
be marked in Chicago by the dedication
of the Columbian Exposition grounds,
and should be celebrated everywhere in
America by fitting exercises.
To the public schools this day presents
q great opportunity. 1t is in their power
to make themselves the centerS OF all
local demonstrations.
This leadership by the public schools
was first proposed by the YOUTHS Com
pd7u0n. The Worlds Congress Auxiliary
of the Columbian Exposition, through its
President, followed with request that
the day be celebrated Systematically
throughout America, and suggested that
the public schools lead III each local cele-
bratIOn.
The Department of Superintendence of
the National Educational Association, at
its annual meeting in February, 1892, in
dOrsed the proposal and appointed the
State Superintendents of Education as a
General Committee to lead the celebra-
ton in their several States. An EXecu-
tive Committee was also elected TO pre-
pare uniform programme 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
common school as the fruit Of four centu-
ries 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 education. 1t will also be valu-
able lesson in intelligent patriotism to
over 100000 Of pupils in the public
schools,
On September 1st the official pro-
gramme will be published, uniform for
all localities 1t will be simple, but inn
pressive and worthy of the day. 1t will
provide for a morning celebration in the
schoolhouses, especially for the pupils;
it will also suggest an afternoon celebra-
ton in the largest hall, designed for the
public generally; and at which the older
pupils will be present by delegation or
en- messe. The afternoon celebration
may be preceded by grand procession.
The official programme will provide
that one of the exercises at the school
house shall be raising and saluting the
flag. No school should be without a flag
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
teachers.
Let the teacher, therefore, at once inter
est the pupils in the Message to the Pub
lie Schools. ct Will he sent to any adj
dress by the Chairman.) Let the school
vote, with the concurrence of the School
Board, to observe the day. Form strong
committee of teachers, pupils and citizens.
Induce the citizens TO allow the schools TO
be the center of the local celebration. In
vite the veterans of the war to send de-
tails to every schoolhouse to assist in the
morning salute TO the flag, as well as to
act as escorts to the pupils in the after
noon parade.
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 programme will
be sent upon it's publication September
lst. Also inform the State Superintend-
ent of Education.
Let not one public school in the United
States allow itself to be left out in this
most memorable celebration.
The Executive Committee is composed
of Francis Bellamy, Chairman, repre-
senting The YOUTHS COmpan50n, Boston,
Mass; John W. Dickinson, Secretary OF
Massachusetts Board of Education;
Thomas Il. Stockwell, Commissioners ot
Public Schools of Rhode Island; w. K.
Garrett, superintendent of Public In
struction Of Tennessee; w. c. Hewitt,
Superintendent of Michigan Educational
Exhibit at Worlds Fair.