Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-05-21
IN THE LOCAL FIELD.
LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM
In Our Public Schools.

the fathers TO plant the standard OF pOllJl-
cal and religious liberty on the shores of
the New World. The free school system
is the pride of America, the glory of our
free land, more far-reaching in its effects
than any other institution left us by our
ancestors. 1t offers to the whole people
something more valuable than nobility or
riches, something more enduring than po-
sition or power. 1t is the great defender
of our free institutions, the great builder
of character and reputation. 1t opens the
gates of industry and points the way to
success. Patriotism is a spirit that should
be cultivated in every bosom 1t is some
thing to be displayed in crises, when the
honor and integrity of the country trem-
BILE in the balance, but our country de-
mands and needs our loyal love and serv-
ice in peace as well as in war. Her foes
are not found on the battlefield. They Turk
in the Vaccinations of those who would use
the country to advance their own selfish
ends, and in a thousand influences hostile
to her welfare. The first and most essen
tial thing is to give patriotism its true
place in the governing motives and princi-
Piles of life.
The first place in the order of oblig4-
tions belongs to God. Loyalty to the AL
mighty is the supreme duty OF every soul.
Devotion to country ranks second only to
devotion to God. Excepting his obligation
to God, true patriot must be willing to
abandon every tie, if necessary, in behalf
of his country. Those who serve their
country simply for what they can receive
from their country, who serve themselves
first while they are serving her, who are
willing to advance their personal interests
at her expense, who are patriots for reve-
nue. only, may have some sentimental re-
gard for their country, but are utter stran-
gers to the spirit of those who marched
forth to fight their countrys battles in
1776 and 1861. Let us therefore hail with
delight an interest IN our early history.
Every research made in the records of the
past, every name or deed of a patriot res
cued from oblivion is a stone added to the
temple of patriotism. Our school children
should be taught, above all, American his
tory. We are loyal people, and our 10y
atty is to be measured by the extent to
which we believe in our country. We
must believe that she is called of God to a
great mission in the world. Every citizen
must feel that he has a country worthy of
his deepest affection, and for which he
ought cheerfully, if necessary, to lay down
life itself. When the tocsin of war sound
and became an American. Loyalty which
is local is not patriotism. We must be cit
liens of the United States first and then
citizens of the commonwealth.
From the Greeks the world received art,
from the Jews religious teaching, but it
was left for the public schools of America
to work out the great problem of educa-
tional liberty. 1t is the duty of the pub
lie schools to teach and preach this gospel
of liberty as the birthright of every man.
The legislators of the future are the chill
dren in the public schools today, who per-
haps shall sway the destinies of the ma
ton. From the pure fountain of life in
the public school is destined TO flow that
strong, broad current of public instruction
that shall nourish and invigorate the land.
Let no profane hand polute that fountain
by religious bigotry, race prejudice or po-
litical animosity He who labors in the
cause OF education labors not only for the
present but for the future, not only for the
generation which now is, but for the gen.
erations which are to come. AS a soldier
of the late war, | count myself happy
that l have the privilege of speaking
on a subject so dear TO my heart. 10y
atty to country is the watchword of the
old soldiers. Let the great army of teach
ers and pupils that fill our land feel the in
spiration of this sentiment till it shall be-
come motto on the walls of every school
room in the land.
The Public School Army.
Let us see what this army is. 1t has
about l., 100000 pupils and about 400, 900
teachers in its ranks, with 240, 200 school
houses, where instruction is given to the
young 135 days every year on an average.
In other words one-tifth of the population
of the United States is comprised in the
members of our public schools. 1t is an
army greater by far than was ever com
manded by any earthly conqueror. The
boys and girls who compose it should strict
ly conform to its rules and regulations, and
like an army when marching to the battle
field, should, like good and faithful soldiers,
press forward in the great work of pro-
noting and extending the cardinal virtues
of your creed-loyalty to country; and the
tree. of liberty, fostered by the genial in
fiuences of the public schools of America,
will send forth its inspiration to the utter
most extremity of our beloved country,
and every remnant of treason be driven
from our land. If in your onward march
through life you should meet the great
armies of inidelity, superstition or intern
perance, as surely you will, charge this foe
who seeks to blacken the fair name of edu.
cational liberty; go forward like brave sol
diers until you can place the cross of King
Emanuel and Old Glory side by side in ev-
cry schoolroom in our land. Then, and only
then, can you claim the victory. Such
should be your mission, and such your
bright anticipation; and, if true to your
faith and active in your efforts, when you
have finished lifes work, other tongues
and voices will bless the name and works
of the public school of America.
If the 100000 of my brave and lOyal
comrades who died during those four long
years of war could stand in line before the
public schools of our land today they would
impress the lesson of right doing upor
your minds, and would say, preserve tn,
union and liberty for which so many
fought and which we died to save" Re
member that peace has its victories no les
renowned than war, and that there is al
much bravery in doing your daily duty as il
fighting great battles. The soldiers had I
great work to do in forcing treason to al
unconditional surrender; they broke tn
shackles from 100000 bondsmen. By
their loyalty secession was bAnished iron
the land. They saved a nation entrustet
TO their care. Now they turn to the publ
schools and ask them to keep and teacl
the principles which they fought to main
tain.
Old Glory.
/ wish to impress into your minds an
hearts desire to love, honor, reverence
and protect the flag as the emblem c
American liberty The veteran soldiers c