The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-09-05
Women.

! local organizations, or Chapters, IN connection
with other societies; to prescribe simple, but
| systematic three years course of reading; to
publish the required readings in a monthly
magazine free to all active members and de-
voted to the interests of American citizens;
and to present this knowledge through writ
! ings of men and women eminenty qualified to
| discuss the subjects To this end, Our Coun-
| try" very valuable magazine of American
! citizenship was started in February last.
al practical educators recognize that the
! flag salute is only the beginning OF great sys-
! TEN of patriotic teaching which must be
! inaugurated in this country, and that must
have our fathers and mothers, as we'll as our
teachers. thoroughly drilled in American cti-
zenship if we are to turn out the right material
from our schools.
The Patriotic League and the reading of
"OuT Country" are deemed so essential to this
educational system that the National Commit
| tee on Patriotic Teaching W.R.C., will at the
Louisville Convention recommend that every
Relief Corps start a Chapter for the good Of
the Order" and their influence in having
a knowledge of its principles as widely spread
possible.
In the meantime send to the Patriotic
League, go West 18th street, New York for
the organizing number Of Our Country" in
closing 10 cents in silver two-cent postage
stamps for the same.
Herewith are given the declaration of princi-
pies and the young citizens pledge:
PRINCIPLES OF THE PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.
We believe /. In the principles of the Decla-
ration of Independence-that all men arc Gre
ated equal; that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights; that
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness.
g That good character intelligence and help
full kindness to all creatures the basis of
true citizenship.
3. That the public. in assuming the educa-
ton Of children, becomes responsible to them
not only for physical, industrial mental and
moral culture. hut also for special training to
the end that they shall be most happy, useful,
aud patriotic while children, and become in
telligent and faithful citizens
4. That IL is our duty to consecrate ourselves to
the service of our country; TO study the history
and principles of our Government; to faithfully
discharge all obligations of citizenship; to i'm
prove our laws aud their administration, and
to do all which may fulfill the ideal OF the fouHd-
ers of our Repnblic-a Government of the peo-
pie, for the people, and by the people, of equal
rights for all aud special privileges for none,
and to the maintenance OF such Government
we truthfully pledge TO one another our lives,
our fortunes and our sacred honor.
5. That we should cndeavor TO lead others to
understand, accept, and extend these prnci-
pies. and to uphold and defend the institutions
Of our country.
THE YOUNG CITIZENS PLEDGE.
am citizen of America and heir TO all her
greatness and renown.
As the health and happiness of my body de-
pend upon each muscle and nerve and drop of
blood doing its work in its place, so the health
and happiness Of my country depend upon each
citizen doing his work in his place. / will not
fill any post or pursue any business where 1
shall live upon my felow-citizens without do
ing them useful service in return; for plainly
see that this must bring suffering and want to
some of them
As it is cowardly for a soldier to run away
from the battle so is it cowardly for any citi-
zen not TO contribute bis share TO tie well-beinQ
of his country. America is my own dear land.
She nourishes me, aud / will love her and do
my duty to her, whose child, servant, and civil
soldier | am. 90
/ will do nothing to desccrate her soil. or pol-
lutte her air, or to degrade her children, who are
my brothers and sisters / will try TO- make
her cities beautiful and her citizens healthy
and glad so that she may be most desirable
home for her children in days to come.
PRESIDENT OF THE PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.
The animating spirit of the Patriotic League
is Nj. Wilson L. Gill, of New York. who planned
and projected the Chiliren's Palace at the
Worlds Fair, and who is one of the foremost
kindergarten methods in our public schools.
BY birth, education, and Inherited character
istics Mr.. Gill is prominently qualified to
stand at the head of an organization that is
destined to WELD a mighty influence over the
youth aud children of America
The history OF a mans life is but brief last
paragraph in the history of some line of ances-
tors. OF course, he has some independence of
action but the bent of his inclinations is apt to
be that of his fathers and the bent of the in.
clination OF Wilson Gilfs race seems TO be TO do
pioneer work. His ancestor, William Bradford
came 10 America in the May flower and for 80
years was Governor of the Pilgrims His fam
lily furnished many officers and soldiers to the
War OF independence, and then took part in set.
Ting Ohio, which. by virtue of the Ordinance of
1857, was the first State in the world to every
citizen of which is guaranteed the highest
rights of an American citizen, including the
right to an eduration. Il
His great-erandfather John Gill, was an in
innate friend of John Wesley's and helped to
establish the first Methodist "class" meet.
ing in England. His father John L. Gill.
who is known in central Ohio as the father
of Ohio manufactures" began his career as a
manufacturer and inventor in Columbus in
1926. His enterprise and public spirit TO the
! time of his death, in his Goth year. last March,
were the wonder Of his fellow. townsmen.
Wilson L. Gill was born in Columbus, O.,
Sept. IL, 1851, the ninth of l2 children. His
mother taught him, with the rest of her chill.
dren, to draw and TO answer verbatim tho
| questions OF the Westminster Shorter Cate
chism.