Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-21

IN the exercise or all clYl ana relislous
liberty
we affirm our devotion to the public
school system OF this country. We believe
in compulsory education, and that all
teaching in our schools should be in the
English language, TO the end that future
generations may be able to take their
place in the ranks Of our country's work.
ers, educated In the history, the customs,
and manners Of Americans.
We guarantee to every man the liberty
Of worshipping God according TO the die
tates Of his own conscience. and would
give every assistance TO protect all In the
exercise of this liberty, but we object
most strenuOusy TO the interference Of
any Church, no matter under what name
II may exist, in the temporal affairs Of
this country.
We believe that the Bible should be read
in our public schools; not to teach secta-
rianism, but 10 inculcate its teachings. 1t
Is the recognized standard OF all moral
and civil law. We therefore believe that
our children should be educated in its
teachings. but that no dogma or creed
should be taught at the same time.
We believe that patriotism and love or
country should be instilled into the hearts
of children, and that, with the sacred
words Mother" Home" and Heaven,
our children should be taught that our
flag is the symbol Of all that makes
home" for us. We would place nag
upon every public school In our land, ana
a Bible within. and the object lesson
therein set fOrtn ShOuld DE Deacon hSue
I'm every storm which threatens to engulf
US. -
in this noble and patriotic work we ask
the cordial and hearty cooperation or All
good citizens. IN this grand work we need
the helping hand Of all organizations mold
ing the same views and principles. we
have no time for iealousies and chickering's,
hut with a united front we should march
forward. shoulder TO shoulder, remember
ing that united we stand, DIVIDED we
In the strictest sense we are national
political organization, but we oppose with
unaninity the slightest faint of PARTISAN
ship. "Our Country is our motto, Sno
we keen this motto steadily before US. we
are cognizant that there are great ana
powerful enemies within our midst; re-
during the strictest surveillance OF an
who are at heart, word, and IN deeu
Americana we. as members of this
order. affirm our allegiance TO the oDJects
of the order as paramount 10 any paru-
san aiiiliation, and urge upon IhS nS yi.l .
shin harmonious, united, ana lntelliseht
action in carrying out the principles.
FLAG OVER THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
publication Of the order says:
"a custom peculiar 10 our order IS that
of raising the American nag over the
public-schoOl houstsy and IL olten CAUSES
inouiry as TO why II is done. 1t Is an
object lesson in patriotism. We realize
that there are powerful agencies at work
10 draw US aside from the paths our
fathers trOQ, ana as a pdlllOllC VI bdli4A'-
ton we feel il our duty TO do what we
can to check these agencies From the
nublc schools will come the great mass
~ those. who. in a few years. by their
exercise of the. great right Of American
citizenship, Will control this country ana
shane its affairs How necessary, then,
that they should be grounded in morality
and educated in patriotism. An intelil-
gent and patriotic ballot can always pe
sarely trusted. with the Bible used
daily IN the school-room, and the nag
waving on the outside, the pupil IS rea-
sonably safe from contamination by the
importation of foreign customs and IDEAS
now going on"
About 1--WE years ago the order In this
city raised the flag over the fifteen pub
lie schools, and since then, as new ouild-
ings have been erected, flag and pole
have been furnished for each school. On
Monday morning the flag will be hoisted
over the Randolpn-Street school building
with appropriate ceremonies. In honor
~ Vashington's birthday, all of the fags
will be flying ON the public-school build
lngs throughout the city.