The times., 1898-11-18
THE AMERICAN BOY FUND.
An Appeal to the American People
by It's Youngsters.

The Times has received a communica-
ton from the school children who are
promoting the movement TO raise funds
among the boys and girls of America to
build a battIeship in memory of the lost
Maine TO be called "The American Boy"
They appeal to their peers and elders as
follows:
Cincinnati, O., Nov. 16, 1898.
ITO the American People:
Briefly stated, the purpose of The
American Boy movement is to raise a
fund by voluntary contributions from the
boys and girls of the United States to
build a mighty battleship to be called
The American Boy This great ship is
intended TO illustrate the patriotism of
the youth of America. At the same time
its inception originating in consequence of
The destruction of the Maine, II will also
be a gigantic and impressive monument
10 the dead sailors of the destroyed yes
sci. 1t will impress upon the minds of
the boys and girls, whose pennies go to-
ward its construction, more than any
thing else possibly could, that this is
their country and their Government. and
that ii is their duty and their privilege
when they become of age to participate in
the administration of its affairs. Every
child who contributes his or her mite. or
raises his or her voice in behalf of the
movement. will learn to more readily
understand the rights of citizenship and
its Obligations.
"Hhal titled nobility can look upon
the advent of The American Boy bat
tleship and say that the young people of
America are fit subjects for monarchy
What despotic government will dare 10
encroach upon the free soil of the West
ern Hemisphere when 1t beholds in the
rising generation OF this country such
patriotism and readiness TO defend its
liber les The effect of such a demon
stratou ol love of country would have
an enob'ing effect upon the youth of
other lands. where the people long for
the rights we enjoy scarcely less
important than that upon our own young
people. Love of freedom, when incul-
Gated in the people here so early in life,
must surely spread rapidly throughout
the civilized world and result in complete
triumph of democratic principles over the
tyrannical doctrines of kings and empe-
rors.
Every man assigned to duty upon the
mighty iron warrior, from captain down.
will feel an added responsibility, an added
trust, imposed upon him by the people
of this country. No greater inspiration
for the crew of such a vessel could be
found than the thought of the thousands
of youthful hearts beating in anxious ex-
pectancy for the result of its work Nc
greater inspiration for young Americans
could be found than the thought that the
great ship of iron, upon which the fate
of an encounter might be depending, was
the result of their efforts md devotion to
national interests
I'VE appeal 20 the boys and girls OF
America 10 make The American Boy a
success. We appeal to our teachers and
superintendents to afford our members
every possible advantage for approaching
their schoolmates. II is the first national
movement started and supported by boys
ard girls alone, and 1t deserves encour-
agement, If for no other reason than the
experience in organization which 1t gives
Already boards of education and superin-
tendents OF public schools in many locali.