The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-03-19
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Gleanings from National HeadQuar-
ters---NOteS from Departments.
PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATIONS.


Pointers from Many Sources, and the Marcel
of the Old Flag the Country Over.
FLORIDA SCHOOLS AND THE FLAG.
The Department of Florida, GAR, has it,
| Headquarters at st. Petersburg. l.. L. Jenness
Commander, and il must have reioced his
heart as it will that of every old soldier in and
| out of the Land of Flowers who hears about it.
to know what an awakening of patriotic feeling
| is going on among the school children of thai
place. as was evinced on Washington Birthday
Both at sunrise and sunset of that day the
U. S. Revenue Cutter Morrill,, Capt. Herring
commanding, now stationed in that barbor
| fired a sunrise and sunset gun and National
| salute of 81 guns at noon.
| The celebration of the day was truly in the
| hands of the school children and the town,
with the public and private buildings decorated
in the Natl onal colors, and the yriads of happy
faces in the streets presented an animated aP.
| pearance.
Over the Opera House foated the Headquar-
tiers banner of the Department Of Florida,
GAR, and from the Opera House to the hotel
| across the street were strung the Stars and
Stripes and the fags of all nations. So enthusi.
astic were the demonstrations that the State
Treasurer, C. b. Collins. orator of the day, said
st. Petersburg is the biggest little town !" he
| ever saw.
Kit Carson Post, headed by the st. Peters.
burg Brass Band, served as escort for the school
children. Department. Commander Jenness in
command. In spirited account received from
| Anna M. Jenness. she says:
Promptly at o'clock in the morning Kit
| Carson Post, with the band. went to the school
| building for the children. Soon they came
| down the street marching to the music of the
| band each child carrying q good-sized flag.
Their faces beamed with delight, and each lit
tie hand grasped the flag as il it were to remain
there forever. The procession was headed by
George Andersen one of Kit Carson's scouts of
New Mexico. and member of Kit Carson Post,
dressed in the costume to represent Uncle
SAM
1.-The flags carried by the children were the
| gift OF Peter Tomlinsen, or Uncle Peter as he
is called, who served through the war in tho
9th Conn, and is now member Of Kit Carson
Post and a resident of st. Petersburg.
He gave the graded schools 500 flags, of
which 300 are Of silk with ornamental staff 100
OF bunting, and the rest for decorative purposes.
1t was a generous and noble gift, and appre-
ciated by the entire town.
at must have thrilled Comrade Tomlinson.
as he marched in the procession. to look at
the sweet yonng faces Of the children grasping
SO fondly the flag always dear TO every Amer
lean. Often Oh that day he must have thought
Of another day in his life, when he left home
and family and fastened TO the battlefield, dar-
ing dangers aud death in defense Of the glori-
Gus Sbar-SI1dngie0 Banner.
"Comrade Tomlinson has endeared himself
to old and young by his patriotism, generosity,
and unvarying kindness to all. How glad we
are that lie was among those who lived to re-
turn, and that lie teaches patriotism by precept
and example TO the future defenders OF our
coHntry.
There were in line over 400 school chill
dren, Kit Carson Post and Confederate Voter
ans, Kit Carson Relief Corps Knights Of
Pythias Odd FpIlnws and MaSnua Tho nro-
cession moved first to the railway station to
receive delegations of children from the schools
at Tarpon Springs. Clearwater, and Dunedin.
"On their arrival the procession marched
through the principal streets, the band render.
ing finely our National airs, and then entered
the Opera Eouse, where were seated over
thousand people.
After a thrilling patriotic address by Mr..
Collins, and by suggestion of the Department
Commander, the long roll was beaten by Com
rade Walter Hunt, OF George Ii. Thomas Post,
LoDgwood, Fla, while two comrades of Kit
Carson Post held the flag over him.
How attentiVely the audience listened not
wishing 10 lose a note; how earnestly those
born since the war, yet old enough tried to
grasp its import; and how the hearts of the
veterans Of tue Blue and tho Gray must have
thrilled with memories of many a battlefield!
At its conclusion a mighty shout of applause
resounded through the building"
PRESENT FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON.
OF the enthusiasm of the children in the
Washington Birthday parade at ST. Petersburg
Fla, Anna Jenness relates the following:
Harry Murray, son of David Murray, Dis
trict Deputy Grand Chancellor, knights of
Pythias, whose father was veteran, is a little
boy of six who had been promised by his father
that he should march in the parade and carry
q flag.
Harry had attended birthday parties Of his
playmates, and on each occasion had carried
present TO his hest or hostess He was wild
with enthusiasm. and when ready to join the
Washington Birthday procession said NAM
ma, where is the birthday present 1 am to
carry to George Washington"
THE LONE STAR STATE.
Louisa Clusky, Decatur, forwards fine
showing for the W.R.C. of Texas.
A number of the schools at Waco united In
celebrating Washingtsn's Birthday; friends
and parents present by invitation; meeting
addressed by Department President Layantia
Conger, who is labuiHg assiduously 10 place
Old Glory over every sghoolhouse in the Lone
Star State aud TO teach patriotism in the
schools.
The hall was decorated with flags, and the
stage and the speakers chair were draped with
the National csiors. Patriotism in the schools
largely on the increase.
The Department President and Relief Corps
associates propose to place the Stars and Stripes
over the Central School Building, replacing the
flag whenever il has become weather worn
John A. Dix Corps, Dallas, gave an enter
tainment, with refreshments complementary
to George II. Thomas Post and Corps Many
of the young folks appeared in Colonial cos.
tunes. The hall was decorated in the Ma
tional colors, and there were patriotic songs
and speeches and DRAMA "Stratagem,D by
the young people.
Sixty dollars for relief was cleared by the
Corps Of Dcnison, Tex, from Martha Wash.
ington supper, followed by an entertainment
program. Veterans and Sons of Veterans par
ticipated.
The first Monday evening Of the month the
Post and Corps at Waco have an open session.
when visitors are admitted. The March meet.
ing a box supper. following a patriotic pro-
gram. in which Comrades Huyck and Poage
were chief speakers.
The Waco Corps Committee on Patriotic
Teaching are winning laurels for their Efforts
to exalt Old Glory.
DEPARTMENT OF POTOMAC.
The seventh annual Convention. Depart.
ment Of Potomac, W.RC., is reported by Rosa
mond y. Meachas as large and harmonious;
business carried forward with order and dis
patch. The hall where Convention was held
was decorated with flowers and palms, with
Old Glory everywhere.
After the formal opening by Department.
President Anna 81. Hamilton, the officers of
Department were introduced from the plat
form. The Presidents address followed. in
which she commended the work of the schools
of instruction. the gratifying condition of Corps
treasures nf hn tast.y, .