Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-10-13

l
of the peopie-an age that shall develop
a greate- care for the rights of the weak
! and make a more solid provision for the
development of each individual by the
education that meets his need.
| AS no prophet among our fathers on
/ the S00th anniversary of America could
have pictured what the new century
would do, so no man can this day reach
out and grasp the 100 years upon which
the nation Is now entering. On the vic
torious results of the completed CEN
turies the principles OF Americanism
will build our fifth century. It's ma
terial progress Is beyond our concep-
ton, but we may be sure that in the
social relations of men with men the
most triumphant gains are TO be ex-
pected. Americas fourth century has
been glorious; Americas fifth century
must be made happy.
One institution more than another has
wrought out the achievement of the
past, and Is to-day most trusted for the
future. Our fathers in their wisdom
knew that the foundations of liberty,
fraternity and equality must be uni
versal education. The free school,
therefore, was conceived the corner
stone of the republic. Washington and
Jefferson recognized that the education
OF citizens Is not the prerogative OF
church or OF other private interest;
that while religious training belongs to
the church, and while technical and
higher culture may be given by private
institutions, the training of citizens in
the common knowledge and the COM
mon duties of citizenship belongs ir-
revocaby TO the state.
We therefore on this anniversary Of
America present the public schools as
the proudest expression of the principle
OF enlightenment which Columbus
grasped by faith. We uplift the system
OF free and universal education as the
master force which under God has been
informing each of our generations with
the peculiar truths of Americanism.
America therefore gathers her sons
around the school house to-day as the
institution closest to the people, most
characteristic of the people, and fullest
OF hope for the people.
To-day Americas fifth century be-
gins. The worlds twentieth century
will soon be here. To the thirteen
millions now in the American schools
the command of the coming years be-
longs. We, the youth o. America, who
to-day unite to march as one army
under the sacred flag, understand our
duty. We pledge ourselves that the |
flag shall not be sta ned and that |
America shall mean equal opportunity |
ana justice for every citizen and brother |
hood for the world.
Song for Columbus Day.
Air-@Lyons
Columbia, my land all hail the glad duy
When first TO thy strand Hope poiu ted the |
way;
Hail him who thro' darkness first followed
the Flame
That led where the Maynowe of Liberty
came.
Dear Country, the star OF the valiant and
free!
Thy exiles afar are dreaming OF thee
No fields of the Earth so enchantingly
No air breathes such Incense. such music
as thine
homei thy sheltering breast
Gives welcome and room to strangers op-
pressd.
Pale children OF Hunger and Hatred aud
Wrong
Find life in thy freedom and Joy in thy
song.
The fairest estate the lowly may hold,
Thy poor may grow great, thy feeble grow
bold,
For worth is the watchword to noble de-
gree,
And manhood is mighty where manhood il
free.
}, unicn of States and union of soulsi
Thy promise awaits, thy future unfolds,
And earth from her twilight is hailing the
sun
Chat rises where people and rulers are one