The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-22
WOMEN'S COUNCIL.
The Proceedings and Papers Are Appro
pirate to the Day.


WASHINGTON, Feb 22-This being
Washington's birthday the national con-
gress of women now in session here
chose patriotic subjects for consideration
at both its morning and evening sessions.
The morning session was divided into
two parts, assigned to patriotism as an
element in government and patriotism in
school government
Kate Brownlee Sherman of Ohio, read
the report of the committee on patriotic
teaching. She then discussed the influ-
ence of patriotism in founding and pre-
serving free institutions She said in
part: "Patriotism does not reach it's
highest form on the battlefield when the
trumpets blare and the cannon roar and
the general cries forward Splendid is
the patriotism that leads man to die for
his country in the fore front of battle; but
splendid beyond human speech to depict
is the patriotism that leads to the
martyrs stake, to the death of humilia-
ton, defeat and the reproach of men. He
who leads temperance crusade is nobler
than he who wrenched Jerusalem from
the Saracens. He who POUNDS a school
is greater than he who builds an armory;
free kindergarten that teaches the use
of hand and eye and fertile brain is bet
ter training; schools Of industrial arts
would do more for popular advancement
in a decade than West Point has done in
all the years of its existence"
Miss Frances E. Willard then spoke on
patriotism as a factor in the advance
ment of women.
Ellen s. Mussey Of Washington spoke
on what the flag has cost women.
Louise Barnum Robbins of Michigan
then discussed the part played by pa
triotism through the schools in forming
the character of American citizens. She
said: "The people have esta blished free
schools and free education. If need be,
let them assume control of the text books
and let a few Jeffersons and Websters
and Clsys and Wendell Phillipses be
found for the noble task of compiling in
our schoolbooks the high thoughts of man
and God, liberty and patriotism, to be
absorbed by the outreaching hearts of
children. With the right text books
placed in the schools, teachers with lofty
ideas of integrity, honor and patriotism,
place in the schools the starry flag that
the children shall learn to do homage to
it as well as to grand ideas Teach the
inspiring Star Spangled Banner and
rally Round the Flag and there will
be rally and the children will learn to
love the flag whose folds protect them.
Teach the youth the splendor of great
ideas by recounting the numerous exam
pies taught in our history"
'Patriotism in Our Kindergartens,"
was discussed by Isabella Charles Davis
of New York.
The Balch salute was rendered by a
number of little girls under the direction
of Sarah c. Mink.
"The American flag in the school room
as an aid to DISCIPLINED" was the subject
taken by Eliza D. Keith Of San Fran
cisco She said: The American flag
should be in the school room,
especially in every public school
room in the United States Children
should be taught that the fags stands
for all that is great and glorious in our
history: for all that makes US all. even
every boy and girl, proud to be Ameri-
cans Make the children feel that its
presence in the class room Is both pro-
lection and benediction. Make that
flag the basis and corner stone of all
ceremonial. Let the highest honor in
the power of the teacher be bestowed
or of scholar to earn be the position
of custodian of the flag. I have follow
ed this plan for years in the public
schools of San Francisco, the recent
adoption of the patriotic resolutions in
my oity asking the flag salute be made
q regular part of our course was the out
growth of this work in one class room
| and have yet to see the first evidence
of WEAKNESS or indifference of the pres
sent class"