San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-23
ADOPTED AMERICANS.
Little Russian Immigrants Learn
Lessons in Patriotism.
Educational Advantages Onered the
Children OF Refugees from the
Land of the Czar-Impres-
sive Exercises

Five hundred Russian emigrant chill
dren, who are being educated under
Baron de Hirsch fund at the Edu.
cational Alliance building on East
Broadway, New York, took part in a
/ recent competition for the prize offered
by the Patria club to the school children
of New York city for the best salute
to the flag" and the best original patri-
otto 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.
There were $50 names on the society's
register, and there were only six alb
sentees when 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
Washington, who is the general agent
of the society, said that the exercises
derived special interest from the fact
that the majority of the children TAX
ing 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 conversant
enough now with the language to enter
the sixth and seventh grades in the
public schools.
linguists," continued Mr.. Solomons.
"We are endeavoring to instill into
their minds ideas of patriotism and q
love of this their new fatherland, and
the enthusiasm we meet with is sur
Erising."
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 500 voices rang out with vim
that would have done credit to a bat.
talon of war veterans.
Then the brief exercises were begun
by 10 boys, carrying national co1ors,
representing the original colonies, who
marched down the aisle to the front of
the platform. A brighteyed little
maiden about eight years old took the
part of Columbia, and as she raised aloft
large silk flag the following original
salute was given:
Flag of our great republic; inspirer
in battle, guardian of'our homes, whose
stars and stripes stand for bravery,
purity, truth and union.
We, the children of many lands, who
find rest under thy folds, do pledge our
lives, our hearts and our sacred honor
tc love and protect thee, our country,
and the liberty of the American people
forever.
Every hand was raised and at the
words I'VE salute thee" both arms were
stretched out toward the uplifted flag,
and an instant later were folded upon
the breast. Then to the tune of "Mary-
land, My Maryland" an original song,
composed at the school, was sung with
the utmost enthusiasm. The title of the
song was "The Stars and Stripes For
ever"
MID MILES III OChdlL VI Oho L dtIlh
club, presented the school with bust
OF Abraham Lincoln, saying that he
was the one who first used the words,
"the government of the people, by the
people, and for the people" II think
everyone will agree with me-" she con-
tinued, chat we have never seen more
impressive sight than you have pre-
sented to US this morning. May you
learn to love and reverence the flag
you have so enthusiastically waved here
this morning, and stand ready to uphold
It whenever you shall be called upon"
The words met with a storm of up
plause, and for several minutes the air
was brilliant with red, white and blue
flags and streamers. With the singing
CT the Star Spangled Banner" the ex-
ercises ended.-N. Y. Sun.