Evening star., 1896-02-21
PATRIOTISM. TAUGHT
Washington the Theme in Public
Schools Today.
HONOR TO A C0UNTRY'S HERO
Many Prominent Citizens Make
Stirring Speeches.
OLUMBIAN UNIV ERSITY

COLUMBIAN UNIV ERSITY
In a manner more general than ever be-
fore was Washington's birthday commence
rated this afternoon throughout the Dis
trict of Columbia. The exercises were con-
fined to the public schools, and at every
building containing eight rooms or more
honor was done the memory of the Father
Of His Country and an inspiring lesson in
patriotism furnished the coming genera
ton.
To the board Of trade is due the credit
for originating and fostering the idea of the
proper observance of the day by the school
children. The matter was placed in the
hands of a committee, who by dint of
much hard work and the exercise of un-
usual activity, secured a presiding officer
and an orator for each of the school build
ings described. The addresses of course
were all of patriotic nature and bore di-
rectly on George Washington. They were
not labored and tiresome speeches, but
merely well-chosen remarks, briefly uttered
and in a lucid and interesting manner In
addition, each school followed a program
of appropriate exercises, arranged by the
principals OF the buildings with the assist
ance of the other teachers
of decided interest. The young ladies who
are being trained for teachers clothed
themselves colonial danes. and in the
form of story dialogue recitation and song
expression was given to the principles
which governed the life of Washington. At
the section of the Normal School in the
Dennison building the program included
quartet singing club swinging and other
numbers followed by Martha Washing
ton tea party. The Normal School program
at the Franklin building was equally inter-
esting.
First Division.
The school rooms at the Dennison build
ing were decorated with pictures of Wash
ington, Mt Vernon. the hatchet and cherry
tree Amid such inspiring surroundings
patriotic songs, speeches and recitations
were rendered by the little ones.
The teachers with powdered hair, ker-
chiefs and patches made most imposing
appearance, and helped TO add touch of
realism to the scene.
In the afternoon the pupils from the
fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades,
with the normal class. gathered in the en-
trance hall to listen to an address by Mr..
John w. Ross, president of the board of
Commissioners.
Cheers and enthusiastic clapping greeted
Mr.. Ross.
He paid tribute after. tribute to the
greatest American of all time" and lesson
after lesson was drawn from the life of
Washington.
Patriotic songs We're sing by the au-
dience and orations and essays appro-
PIRATE to the occasion were read by pupils
OF the eighth grade.
Mr.. Charles w. Neefham presided during
the exercises.
At the Franklin School the children of
the lower grades had joint exercises be-
tween II and l. o'clock: those of the sev-
enth and eighth grades between 1:3o and 3
O. clock. Aside from these combined events
he els i'm
their respective rooms. The walls of the
general assembly room We're tastefuliy dec
GRATED with American ia gs, and its black
boards with drawings. The programs gen.
orally consisted of atrintic songs. as Amer
lea, Star Spangled Banner and Columbia.
the Gem of the Ocean; appropriate quota
ticns, readings. recitatictfs and compost
tions and the salute to the flag.
AT the exercises of the seventh and eighth
gradeS T. a. Lambert acted as presiding
officer and in happy manner. He spoke
somewhat briefly OF what the day should
mean to young Americans. Rev. Teunis S.
Hamlin, ID, was the orator Of the oc-
casion. He dwet upon the character OF
Washington as determining his achieve
mentS and as model ami inspiration to
the young.
The national ensign fioated proudly from
the high staff on the Belret today, a con-
sp;cuous reminder to the passersby on 1Ith
street that the pupils within were do ng
honor to the memory of the father of their
country. James G. Berret. for whom the
building was named, presided. and Mir. 6.
f. Davis made the address TO the pupils.
Recitat:ons and songs by the pupils COM
pleted the exercises
Owing to the illness of The principal, the
exercises at the Phelps School We're less
elaborate than had been planned. In each
school room patriotic singing, declamations
and recitations were heard. The pupils OF
the eighth grade rec,ted appropriate selec-
tiCns from the words of Washington, snd
very graceful salute to the flag was exc
cuted by the pupils Of the whole school
The Rev. Mr.. Nerbrycke addressed the pu-
pills.
sembled In the hail to hear an address by
Rev. DR.. Greene of Calvary Baptist Church
The exercises We're continued in separate
rooms, carrying out special programs.
The spirit of patriotism and school pride
was very much in evidence at the Harrison
School today. a costly national ensign was
presented to the school by Mr.. Percy S.
Foster. Following the presentation were
Rev. F. d. Power He reminded the chill
dren of the wonderful opportunities which
surround them, and Of the debt of love
which they owe their country
In the second division the speakers in
cluded George H. Harres. S. H. Walker,
Simon Wolf, ]. A. D. Richards, w. ]. New
ton, Prof. Gordon Rev. John l.. Walsh and
Rev. N. c. Nailor. In the third division the
pupils of the respective buildings were ad-
dressed by Rev Gilbert +. Williams, Col.
Robert F. Hill, Gen. s. S. Yoder, DR.. W. A.
Croffut and Gilbert Clark. The fourth di-
vision had as speakers II. T. A. Lemon,
Henry Lee, while in the sixth division DIR.
Frank T. Howe spoke to the pupils at the
Brookland School Mr.. B. Fl. Warner pre-
sided at the Grant School. G street between
21st and 22d, and introduced the speaker,
Mr.. H. D. F. Mcfarland. Mr.. George W.
Foster was the orator at the Van Buren,
School, Anacostia.
The programs published in detail In yes
terday's Star We're carried out, and in adj
dition to the list mentioned, the following
schools observed the day set forth in the
following:
Other Schools.
Monroe School, Steuben street between
Brightwood and Sherman avenues-Mr.
Ballinger Of the board Of trade introduced
Representative s. NJ. Clark, who addressed
the scholars. This was followed by the
singing Of patriotic songs. The oath Of al
legiance was taken by the entire school.
There was vocal duet, by Annie Timmons