The National tribune., 1895-10-31
SCHOOLS And
CITIZENSHIP.
Flag-Flying and Military Drill as Ele-
mentS OF Education.

day evening, Oct. IL
Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:
II we would build grand monuments, beau
tiful palaces huge buildings for commerce and
trade the superstructure OF which is TO stand
permanently as graceful tributes Of tie power
OF the inventive gen us developed out from our
halls of learning we then employ all the arts,
ell the genius all the science with which TO
establish the beginnings, and deep down from
the surface the broad foundations are laid upon
the immovsbe rocks below.
So with Nations; with building mp the
great peoples and commonweslths; what is
true of an individual is also true of Nation.
What were the great principles which were
embodied in the Mayfower compact, which
were represented by the New England town.
meeting and which were the broad founda-
ton-stouos upon which rests the Constitution
of the United States? They represent the ini-
tial forces which cTystalized in a Government
of the people, for the people. and by the peo-
pie. They were the forces which gave free
dom and equal rights to all. They were the
forces which gave TO this Republic its uni
VersRl suffrage a ballot for every man.
| think it was Themistoces who suggested,
"The way to make small State a great one
is BY making il wise, keen, studiOus, and
thoughtful by giving its people an education
of the highest possible attainment, and in It's
largest and broadcast sense; and by beginning
at the cradle and rounding up in the schools"
The Government of this great Republic is
supreme In its unity il subOrdinates the ln-
dividua and all his landed possessions If We
are 10 have a great Government, the sources
from which come the power must also be great
must be pure. No stream is purer than Its
source. If the 100000 potential voters of
this Nation are TO establish and maintain q
pure Government, the ballot must represent
loyalty patriotism. and purity of purpose The
old Greek General was right in beginning at
the cradle, and the people Of the United States
.-set I, tR hive oll al
600 public schools throughout their great coun-
try. in which they are now teaching, and in
which they propose to teach, not only the
alphabet arithmetic, and history, but mental
and moral culture, love Of law, and respect for
the Gag.
Love Of country is to be instiled in the hearts
of the 100000 Of our school children as the
foundation upon which they are to build a
sublime character and 10 maintain great Ma
tion.
At the present time there are IL States which
have passed law which provides that from
the masthead over all their schoohouses shall
fly the American flag, aud am glad to say that
the great State of Illinois. on the % day of
September last, passed q similar law, which fur
ther provided fine of $40 for its violation.
Companionsbip with the flag and the teach
ing of civics in the school will give to the coun-
try on army of patriots in the next generation.
Mr.. President. cannot refrain in this con-
nection 10 pay wel-deserved tribute to the
Board Of Education of the City of New York.
They have been the pioneers in establishing
the system of military exercises in every public
SCHOOL, they have within two years enrolled
and organized in comranies 1900 boys; they
have given exhibitions of the efficiency of the
method in establishing discipline and ready
snbordination TO authority; they have obtained
tributes of praise and approval of the plan
from the patrons OF the best organized schools
in the United States; they have given a greater
tad
States than has come from any other source, and
desire, on behalfof the Committee Of Military
obstruction Of lafayette Post TO scongratu-
late your most loyal and efficient Board for the
conspicuous success 10 which they have brought
the system of military exercises in their
schools.
Steps have been taken during the past year
for the introduction of this system in the
schools OF Philadelphia, Louisville Pittsburg,
Cleveland, Chicago, ST. Louis, and various
other large cities and it is expected in the near
future that organizations will he perfected at
all these points
Mr.. President. desire also in this connection
20 express on behalf Of Lafayette Post and our
Military Committee our appreciation of the
efforts and cordial support given 10 this move
ment by our loyal and patriotic American citi-
xens born in other lands.
We are indebted 10 their answering sad
uncompromisiug loyalty for the laws which
they have provided. that from the City Hall
no flag shall fy except the Stars and Stripes.
We indebted to them largely for enactiBg
the laws for placing the flag over the public
schools Of the State. We are indebted to them
largely for their warm and cordial support and
Endorsement Of the military drill in public
schools
These efforts on their part is the assurance
that America is not only their home, but is the
land Of their adoption and the land 10 which |
they swear eternal fidelity.
drill in fha hal IF, 81 /
United States has come TO stay. During the |
recent National Encampment at Louisville, |
Ky, delegations from Nebraska Minnesota |
Texas, Iowa, aud vsrious other States visited |
the Headquarters Of Lafayette Post for the pur- |
pose OF obtsining information concerning the /
methods adopted by the New York schools of
introducing military instruction. Other re- |
guests were made to the Representatives Of the |
Military Committee TO appear before the dele
cations OF the different States for the same pur-
pose Nearly ali of the Governors of the States
have expressed their cordial support OF the |
movement.
Ex-Gov. Russell. Of Massachusetts, writes as |
follows: am heart and soul in sympathy
with you. and should esteem it a privilege to |
epeak in behalf OF your cause"
Ex-GOv. Buckley states: 1t needs no ex-
tended arguments 10 convince anyone Of the |
desirahility- of iBstructing the youth of the
country in military drill"
Gov Cofiih, OF Connecticut: The movement
certainly one OF much interest"
Ez-G0v. Beaver. of Pennsylvania writes: " /
believe II IL not only practicable TO introduce
the study Of military technic into the schools.
but II IL q desirable thing for the development
OF the bod les OF the young mon. as we'll as for
The knowledge which ii imparts"
William &. Oates. Of Alabama writes as 10 the
erect OF military drill upon the boy: " Ii makes
him hold himself erect ana teaches him TO
promptly obey aud duly respect the orders Of
has supeFioFs authority"
Gov. Mathews, OF Indiana telegraphs as fol-
lows: Military instruction ia the public
schools merits cooperation in success When
the OLD veterans have passed away we will
more fully realize It's necessity. BOYS 80 in
strncted viii become the citizen soldicry de-
Tenders OF law aud order and their countrvs
honor"
have received from Chattanooga: MILITARY
drill IN the public schools rs a matter that /
would bc glad TO see favored" This is from a
m"n who did not become Governor-F Clay
Evans
State OF Minnesota: My views are fully in
accord with the resolutions adopted by Iafay-
etse POst."-Knute Nelson Governor
Following from Iowa: II mos heartily in
dorsc military drill in The public schools"
biRbed-Frank d. Jackson Governor
The following is from Colorado: ." believe
in the idea of military drill in the public |
schools."-A. w. Mclutre, Governor.
idaho responds follows: II have your |
Saver OF the 22d instant. IL affords me much |