Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-02-29
PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES.
Old Glory Given to the Breeze and
Cheered by the Multitude.

Old Glery Given to the Breeze and
, Cheered by the Multitude.
Saturday last, Wsshlngton's birthday
was made memorable in the public
school history of Tucson by the presen
tation to the school of a national fial
that will teach patriotism to the risinl
generation of this town. The pole,
ninety foot mast, and the flag, beauti
full and costly banner. are the gifts of I
patriotic people. The following program
was carried out to perfection:
Music c..............Ph Philharmonic BsDc
Song. %. Washington's birthdsy....
............. Ne ScnOo
| Invocation. on............ Rev. DIR. Blllmar
Pre-ent,tlon Of the flag. The flag un
furled, as the flag is flung to the breeze
the band will play The Stars Spangleo
Bauner, the 3rd Battalion n. q. A. viii
fire a salute, and the School will sing
Awake, Salute Old Glory
.........In In the aforesaid Order
Gen. Thos. Z. Wilson, on behalf oi
those who had contributed to purchase
the asg staff and Fl g, made the presen-
taLion addresg as follows:
Mr.. President, Ladies. Gentlemen and
the Otildren:-That graceful and sub
stsutal hag staff. and that beaut-
iful flag, the emblem OF our Da-
tlonslity, has b en- provided by a num-
Der of the patriotic citizens OF TucsJn D..
The committee acting in behalf OF the
contributors, has requested me, in the
name OF the donore, to present that flag
staff, and the glorious flag that fl ,ats
from its peak, to the board OF trustees
of the public schools OF Tucson, with
the earnest request, that on every school
day the flag of our country may be un-
furled, and float to the breeze through
the school hours, as an object lesson to
the children, that they may learn to res
pect and love, and if need be, to defend
| with their lives the honor of that flag,
and the nationality OF their country.
| This day, the 164th anniversary OF the
birth of George Washington, as been
| fittingly chosen as the most appropriate
| day of the year on which to make this
| presentation this day has been solemnly
set apart by an act OF the congress o.
| the United States as a national holiday,
| sacred to the memory OF the ther OF
our country In recognition or his loyal y
II
meut of the United States.
AS tie Constitution of the United
States which Washington did so much
| to create, recognizes no creed, religion.
social cast or condition, except that of
loyal citizenship, and guarantees equal
protection to every human being within
the limits OF the United States who
obeys the laws, so the c. cmmon schools
- tz..
gion or class distinction among the
scholars, except correctness OF deport-
msut and proficiency in scholarship.
and as long as that glorious old flag
floats over a nation Of free, independent,
intelligent men and women, and happy
children, any attempt to cur tail, or in
teri re with the efficiency of non sec
tartan public schools, will meet with a.
prompt and condign punishment as would
sn affront to that dear old flag itself.
The separation OF church and state, and
the maintainance of the public shoots
frrm sectarian or religious interference
are essential to our individual freedom
and to our national exi-tence. The
flag is a common inheritance. The pub
lie school should he common right to
every child under the ample folds of
OF our flag. Both should be held equal
lv sscred. The National Flsg and the
Public School.
More than 5000 years ago a wise sage
declared that the salvation OF the nation
depends on the school children. 1t is
equally true today. The National flag,
"Old Glory" and the public schools
like the UnIon of the States, should be
one and Inseparsble in the hearts OF
our "people now and foreve."
Capt. R. w. Gray as president of the
Board of Trustees OF the public schools
accepted the flag and flag staff in the
following address.
Mr.. Mayor, ladies and gen tlemen and
General Wilson: 1t seems most appro-
pirate that in accepting this, the worlds
proudest em mblem of Liberty, l should
receive it at the hands of one, who
fought to preserve inviolsble, the lustre
Of that flag, which gives to the fortunate
citizens of the country it represents.
greatest liberty, OF Any nation Of the
face of the earth.
In accepting this beautiful flag, in
trust, for the school children of our city,
/ am proud of the trust, | sm proud t.
be citizen by adoption, and therefore
elegible to accept the honor which my
associates of the Board of Truste es have
conferred on me. In making metbelr re-
preventative, l hope | am none the less
worthy, by reason Of my foreign nativity,
to accept this responsibility. | do MOI
think that the fact OF nv being born in
lrelard, that most oppressed of all the
civilized countries OF the world, bae
made me any the less appreciatlve OF
the blessing OF living under this grand
flag, and | could wish for the eloquence
of an Emmet or an O'Connell today, that
| might tell to the citizens of Tucson,
the benefits aud privileges, OF the form
of government under which they have |
the good fortune to live and to be |
educated. II is sought by the good |
citizens Of Tucson, in presenting the |
National colors to the schools today, to |
teach their children true patriotism. |
Tnis. as | understand it, is love of coun- |
try, such love as makes a man proud |
his country, proud to live in it, prouder |
still to die for it.
/ will not take any more time of the |
sssemblsge as there is large and patrio- |
tic programme to be rendered. | accept |
the flag with due reverence, or behalf of |
the School Board, and hope that when |
it becomes necessary to renew this |
beautiful emblem, it will carry an ad- |
ditionsl slar, and wave proudly over the |
citizens in embryo of the State of Ari
zons.
Welcome to Washington's birthday
.................... .Chas. Stout |
Recitation. Harold Steinieldt |
Washington's birthday Exercise. 49,.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Ten Pupils |
Music. Philharmonic Band |
Father OF our Country ......
.................. Edna Riecker
Stand for Independence, Boys...