The National tribune., 1894-03-15

OF patriotism IN orr PUBIC ScnoolS, IN ue-
veloping the methods that would give them
the best results in their education, and make
them God -fearing law abiding loyal, and use
full men and women. preparing themselves to
enter into all the branches of American citi-
zenship.
When our educational authorities become
better acquainted with the benefits derived
from patriotic instruction, there will be
revision of sentiment in favor of loyal and
perfect citizenship. 1t is the supreme duty of
all educational authorities to increase the
standard of citizenship by introducing the
best instructions for improving the grade and
department of the little students; in molding
and preparing them for the noble attributes of
purity and greatness, in the advancement of
American manhood and wOmanhoOd; giving
them the advantages OF what patriotism means
for them in their onward march to fame and
the pursuits of happiness
/ would therefore recommend, in all cases
where there is any opposition 10 the displaying
of our National flag on school buildings or
grounds for the Presidents of local Corps to
appoint committees in their respective school
districts, whose duty it will be to prepare an
address to the school authorities, illustrating
and explaining the benefits to be derived from
patriotic instructions, and urging them to give
their approval and official Endorsement to the
patriotic cause.
If this argument fails to accomplish the OBJ
ject sought for do not retreat but keep knock
ing at the door of the little red school-house;
renew the fight by strengthening your forces,
until there none but loyal men and women
on guard, who will give their aid and SYM
pathy by keeping the great patriotic ball
moving until it has fulfilled its mission and
placed our cOuntry's flag on every school-house
in the land.
/ have no hesitation in saying that from the
general outlook that grand army of the patri-
otto Woman's Relief Corps will soon be able to
capture every school house in the country and
unfurl therefrom our Star Spsngled Banner as
an object lesson that patriotic exercises and
training shall be taught each school day, and
that the children, the embyro citizens, shall
never be out of sight of the flag so long as they
are pupils
Let the youth of our country, then, be grad
ualy taught from their earliest years to appre-
ciate the inestimable privileges which. as Amer
leans are theirs to enjoy. In due time they
will insensibly and without effort develop an
intense loyalty to their country, its Constitu-
ton, its Institutions its laws and its flag, which,
while it elevstes and purifes their minds, will
be safeguard in many temptation to evil,
and make them at once an honor to their par
ents and to their country.
THE FLAG ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
To your first question, as propounded in your
article, viz, 1.-THE displaying of flags over
school buildings and within the school rooms
as an object lesson to introduce sympathetic
patriotic instructions" etc. would most re-
spectfully recommend that in all cases where
it is practicable and convenient the flagstaff
be placed on the school grounds, for the simple
reason of giving the flag prominence and honor
able distinction, as well as making 1t an object
lesson to the scholars and reminding those who
pass the school that the teachers and scholars
are patriotic Americans; that the public schools
are the fortresses of our liberties and greatness
hv fac hat
The principal object to maintain and adhere
to in emotional patriotism ia to instil into the
hearts of the rising generation proper apDre-
citation of the emblem of our country, and to
impress them with profound love and rever-
ence for the flag that protects them at home
and abroad, giving them the advantages of q
free American education and loyal citizenship.
The displaying of flags on school buildings is
not so desirable as from flagstaff or pole
erected on the school house grounds. Where
the flag is displayed on the building, the object
lesson is less effective, for the reason that the
flag cannot be seen in close proximity to the
building where it should be the most conspic-
uous. On the other hand, if the staff is erected
on the grounds, the flag is always in sight of
the scholars. and impresses them with admira-
tion and enthusiasm giving them an oppor-
tunity of expressing their delight and approval
by saluting the flag at morning and evening
colors," as prescribed in the ritual have pre-
public schools a copy of which follows.
Public School No. 80 of this city, located
near my residence, was the
FIRST TO ERECT FLAGSTAFF
on the grounds. / have watched the progress
and development of this school more closely,
perhaps, than all others, and have given it more
thought and attention. The first flag was un-
furled Feb. 90. 1890, and it has never been
neglected or forgotten one day since, but is dis
played every school day, rain or shine, with the
regularity of military post or garrison. The
same rule is noticeable at many other schools
in this city.
The good results from this display Of the Ma
tional flag as an object lesson have been care
fully noted, and with much satisfaction. in the
department of the scholars, and more espec-
tally when school is dismissed at noon and
afternoon, when the scholars are returning to
their homes, and are under no particular rules
or restrictions. ] find in their orderly conduct
toward each other much to admire and COM
mend the good qualities and character in the
makeup of patriotic little citizen.
The question has often been asked, What do
the Stars and Stripes mean for the public
schools?
ut means the practical application of the
principles of the Declaration to the training of
youth; it means education for citizenship of
the children, not alone of the masses, not alone
of the classes, but of the whole body of the peo-
pie without distinction of race, color, religion,
creed, or social opportunities.
at means that American citizenship is not
the prerOgative of high social caste, not the
superlative privilege of higher" or govern
ing class nor the exclusive earthly reward of
believers in particular form of religion but
is right, privilege aud reward for all those
who acknowledge allegiance to and are thor
oughly loyal to the Constitution of the United
States and to the laws of the Union.
hot hn atacn of ha Tam NIL nf
knowledge are in these United States ever wide
open so long war is to be waged against igno
rance superstition, bgotry, intolerance, vice,
crime, and all the evils which afiiict society.
1t means emancipation from the rude thra-
dom of uneducated bodily powers; it means
liberty of thought, moral and spiritual regen-
Grafton"
Our public schools after teaching patriotism
will graduate no Communists, no Anarchists,
Mafas, Socialists, nor Molly Maguires but
will graduate patriotic and women,
proud and grateful for the high privilege of
having been educated in a public school. They
will grow up in our midst grand army of pa
triotic Americans, numbering its millions of
truly earnest, patriotic men and women, which
in due time will make and enforce good laws
Teaching patriotism in the public schools was
one of
GEN. sHERMAN's CHERISHED HOPES
and patriotic desires; to see the Star Spangled
Banner displayed every public school
house in the land. Shall the cherished hopes
and wishes of our dead commander be fulfilled?
,lnn