Evening star., 1896-12-15
BUDDING AMERICANS.
How Little Russian Immigrants
showed Their Patriotism.


showed Their Patriotism.
Five hundred Russian immigrant chill
dren. who are being educated under the
Baron de Hirsch fund at the Educational
Alliance building On East Broadway, New
York, took part In a competition Friday
morning for the prize offered by the Pat
ria Club to the school children of New
York city for the best salute to the flag"
and the best original patriotic song. The
auditorium where the exercises were held
was festooned with national colors, and
above the platform upon which the officers
of the society, the committee of the Patria
Club and the visitors were seated large
American flags were draped.
According to the New York Sun there
are $50 names on the society's register. and
there were only six absentees when, at II
O'Clock Friday forenoon. the children
marched into the hall to the music of
Dixie" each child wearing an American
flag upon his or her breast. Many of the
girls wore the national colors in their hair.
Mr.. A. S. Solomons. formerly of Washing
ton. who is the general agent of the So
ciety. said that the exercises derived spe-
cial interest from the fact that the major
ity of the children taking part had been
in this country less than six months. They
were unable to speak English when they
came to the school, but had become con-
versant enough Eow with the language to
enter the sixth and seventh grades in the
public schools. -,
These little Russians are born linguists,"
continued Mr.. Solomons. I'VE are endeav-
oring to instill into their minds ideas of
patriotism and a love of this their new
fatherland, and the enthusiasm we meet
With is surprising"
Then turning to the children he said: :
You are no longer Russians, but good
Americans. Let's see whether you can
give three good, loyal cheers"
Five hundred heads were raised in the
air and five hundred voices rang out with
a vim that would have done credit to a bat
talon of war veterans.
Then the brief exercises were begun by
thirteen boys. carrying national colors, rep
resenting the original colonies who marched
down the aisle to the front of the platform.
A bright-eyeal little maiden about eight
years old took the part of Columbia, and as
she RAISED aloft large silk flag the fol-
lowing original salute was given:
SALUTE TO THE FLAG!
Flag Of our great republic; inspirer in
battle; guardian of our homes; whose stars
and stripes stand for bravery, purity, truth
and Union,
WE SALUTE THEE!
We, the children of many lands who find
rest under thy folds do pledge our lives,
our hearts and our sacred honor to love
and protect thee, our Country, and the
Liberty Of the American people forever.
Every hand was raised, and at the words
we salute thee both arms were stretched
out toward the uplitted flag, and an instant
later were folded upon the breast. Then
to the tune of Maryland, My Maryland"
an original song, composed at the school,
was sung with the utmost enthusiasm. The
title of the soEg was THE Stars and
Stripes Forever
Mrs. Mills, in behalf of the Patria Club,
presented the school with a bust of Abra-
ham Lincoln, saying that he was the one
who first used the words, 1.-The government
of the people. by the people, and for the
people," Il think every one will agree with
me-" she continued, that we have never
seen a more impressive sight than you have
presented to Us this morning. May syou
learn to love and reverence the flag you
have SO enthusiastically waved here this
morning and stand ready to uphold it
wherever you shall be called uron.''
The words met with storm of applause,
and for several minutes the ar was bril-
liant with red, white and blue flags and
streamers. With the singing of the Star
Spangled Banner" the exercises ended.