The National tribune., 1894-09-27
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters---NOteS from Departments.
PATRIOTIC TEACHING.

| COMMUNICATIONS JOnn houHI' ''ie
Drummer-Boy of Mission Ridge, before
I2th National Conventions, W.R. c. GOV.
Pattison's Tribute-Comrade Foster Defines
the SaIute-Teaching Patriotism in Iowa.
THE STARRY FLAG.
| Past Commander in Chief John s. Kountz,
1.-THE Drummer Boy of Mission Ridge" was
hailed with applause when, introduced by Ma
| tional President Sarah G. Mink, he appeared
before 10th National Convention, W.R.C., to
! speak for patriotic teaching in the schools oil
| the United States and given the salute of the
| Order. His words were clear.cu and earnest,
| and awoke an echo in every heart. AT the
| conclusion he was given the compliment Oh
prolonged clapping of hands, which means
much among women, and upon retiring was
| given the handkerchief salute.
Commander Kountz has an enduring place
| in the affections of the Woman's Relief Corps,
| whose members do not forget that he was one
| who stood for the loyal women as auxiliary to
| the Grand Army when it was not so popular
as now. and they are justly proud that their
works have justified his faith. He spoke as
| follows:
In a recent address before the Loyal Legion
l of New York, Companion Archbishop Ireland
! defined patriotism as "love of country and
| loyalty to it's life and veal; love tender and
strong-tender as the love of son for mother.
strong as the pillars of death; loyalty generous
| and disinterested, shrinking from no sacrifice,
| seeking no reward save country's honor and
| country triumph"
| 1t has been said that Emusic speaks from the
| heart and to the heart" and that there is
| youth and inspiration nothing else can give"
| Naturally We invoke the aid Of music to en-
kindle in the hearts of our children patriotic
pride and enthusiastic love of country, and
| impress upon their young minds that patriot
| ism is virtue.
/ could not help observing during the
"Saengerfest" held in my city, Toledo, o.,
last month, what important factors music and
Song are in perpetuating the love of the Father
| land among the Germans; and it occurred to
me that if our German friends can do so much
| in that way to keep alive devotion to their
native land, might also employ the Ian
| guage of music to teach the rising generation
| lessons OF patriotism, and that the Stars and
Stripes stand for liberty, union, law and order.
We are Americans; we believe in American
| principles; and Americans should know and
| love their country, because in America there
| is more genuine liberty and happiness than in
any other country under the sun. Hero all
should be accorded equal and exact justice,
| with no distinction as to creed, color, or birth
| place, and narrowness OF thought is entirely
| unworthy of true patriotism. We should guard
well our liberties and our rights and only
| those who are in heart and soul thoroughly
| loyal to America should be permitted to share
| in her pr<sileges and enjoy the protection of
the banner of the free. As patriotism is one of
| earth's highest virtues, love of country should
be nculcated in the hearts of our children. in
! all the. schools. public private. and parochial,
and there should be an atmosphere of patriot
| ism and a real reverence for the flag in every
! schoohOuse in the land and each session
should be opened by singing America" or
some other appropriate National song.
Let US never forget that the flag of our coun-
! try, the flag of Washington and Lincoln, has
! been consecrated upon many battlefelds from
| Lexington to Appomattox, and that it repre-
| sents the grandest and freest republic known
| to man.
We pray God that onr beloved country shall
always be strong in the loyalty of its patriotic
| citizens, and that yonder beautiful banner may
| ever be the ensign of liberty and free govern
ment; then we can truly say with the poet:
Thy sacred leaves, fair freedoms flower,
| Shall ever float on dome and tower,
| To all their heavenly colors true,
| In blackeniBg frost crimson dew;
| And God love we love Thee,
| Thrice holy flower of liberty!
| Then hail The banner Of the free,
The starry flag OF liberty.
Standing before this splendid audience and
| in the presence of these patriotic women of the
Woman's Relief Corps. an organization whose
| sweet and tender charities are so well known,
| il is with peculiar feelings OF honor that | I'M
| dertake to say few words to the theme upper
most in our thoughts tonight
GOV. PATTIsoN's ENDORSEMENT.
| Gov. Pattison, of Pennsylvania, said in Re.
| lief Corps Convention. when the flag salute was
! ri ven, that he was a boy in Philadelphia when
| the great events of the war were taking place.
| but he remembered how uBtiringly the patri.
| otto women OF the City of Brotherly Love were
| working for the soldiers and the flag.
He said that in every loyal American home
| was built altar to the flag, but that some.
| times in fancied security we are rudely
! awakened by the mutterings of those who are
not in sympathy with our free institutions
1t is our duty, then, to educate and assimiate
| ali the alien elements entering into our popua
ton, and he could think of no nObler work in
which loyal American women can engage than
in teaching patriotism in the schools and rails
| ing the starry flag over every school-house.
THE AMERICAN FLAG SALUTE.
In his address before 18th National Conven.
ton. Capt. Wallace Foster said in defining the
flag salute:
II is not military salute made in obedience
| to the cast-iron requirements of military dis
! cipiine in which the heart may possibly not
beat in unison with the movements of the hand
| but rather one of the methods which ali Amer
lean citizen, proud of his country and it's insti
buttons. takes to express his thankfulness tc
Almighty God that he lives in Republic where
the people govern themselves: where the equa
rights of every man before the law are ack FOWL
edged and respected where domestic peace
is maintained without the aid OF a military
establishment; where every man may enjoy
the fruits of his own industry; where every
mind is free to publish his own convictions
and where religion is neither prosecuted mol
paid by the State"
| Through this salute, especially the children
of the Republicans little citizens-expres
their sense of gratitude for and appreciation o
the great privilege and opportunities which oul
system of education has established and main
tanned for their advancement in citizenship.
| Thus citizens, and especially little citizens
each with their whole soul with one voice
heart and hand united, seek to indicate by th
act their profound respect and love for, thei
loyal allegiance to, aud their honest pride il
this free country of their birth or of the
adoption, its language and its flag. And so will
the safute begins the patriotic ed ucation of eacl
little citizen.
Therefore, soy to these children, yov
should feel profound respect for the UniteC
States. for this great Nation and for the brave
men who. in the days of the Revolution, dared
to risk their lives and fortunes that Americ
might be free land, and that we who CAM
after them might enjoy the blessings of liberty
You should feel especially thankful and low
your country for giving you many privileges
How, then, can you best express your respec
and the love you bear for your country? B,
giving to your country in return for ali thes
benefits and gifts the best you have, and that
your heads and hearts. Your head is the sea
of your mind and intellect; your heart is TIL
foundation of your affections and love- Thes
are your dearest possessions.
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