The National tribune., 1900-08-30
THE ,S4TH NATIONAL
ENCAMPMENT, GAR.
Continued from first page.

accomplish in this direction.
A committee of twelve prominent and
specially-cquipped comrades was appoint
ed to carry out the objects, as were set
forth in the following extracts from the
order in question:
1.-The great Importance of the develop
ment of n uniform system Of teaching pa
triotism and civics in our public schools is
now generally acknowledged by our best
authorities. 1t is in line with the high
est sentiment of Christian citizenship. The
only safety for our Union in the future lies
in the wise and unselfish patriotism and
virtue of our whole people. The steps of
future generations will not stumble if their
national pathway is paved with right prin-
ciples and safe-guarded with noble inspira-
tions of justice, law, liberty and religion.
To the end that the question of how best
to practically evolve and introduce these
right and patriotic teachings in our schools
it has been deemed wise to place the con-
| sideratiOn of the same in the hands of an
able committee of leading comrades in this
| Department whose experience in public
life and in studying the objects aimed at
in this line of action eminently fit them for
this delicate and commanding investigation
| and report.
| This action is based upon the view that
comrades of distinction in civil life who
| did SO much for their country in their
| early manhood are best fitted by expert
ence to consider this whole subject. 1t is
| admitted that the quickened sentiment of
patriotism and loyalty to the flag, born of
the late war, has caused the Stars and
| Stripes to float over the school-houses in
| many States. Surely no more sacred work
can fall to comrades in the evening of
| their days, than to instill the spirit of
freedom and lofty ideals Of patriotism into
the hearts of the children of generations
to come. If this is wisely done in periods
of peace, it will foster freedoms grandest
| forces in uplifting our civilization to the
highest plane Of free peoples govern
ment.
| ''This committee had for its Chairman
Comrade Joseph A. Goulden, of New
York, who has been appointed every year
since, and the work he has accomplished
is lasting record for his great ability and
downright earnestness in this great field
| Of patriotic education"
| The report of the committee was so able
and valuable that the Hon. Charles II.
| Skinner (who was made an honorary men,
ber), Superintendent of Public Instruction
of the State of New York, caused 10000
copies to be printed, sending one to each Of
the 10000 teachers of the State, and pre-
senting the balance Of the issue to the
Grand Army.
| The interest thus created has been on
| the increase, and this committee has been
continued. Two subsequent annual re-
ports have been made, and these have won
| their way in the admiration and confidence
Of the people, and their publication by Su-
perintendent Skinner has followed each
year. The immediate fruits Of this excel
lent work have been: first, in the hoist
ing of the American flag over every school
| house in the State during school hours;
second, introducing ciyics and patriotism
as one Of the branches to be taught; third,
looking to securing uniform patriotic exer-
| cises for each days opening and for all
legal holidays: fourth, in securing a grant
of $4,000 from the Legislature for the
publication of manual of patriotic exer-
cises for free distribution among the
| schools of the State; and, fifth, making it
a penal offcnse to attach an advertisement
or device of any kind to the American flag
in the State of New York.
This remarkable record is the outcome of
the work done in one Department within
the narrow circle of three years, and it Is
submitted that united effort in each of
the ID departments of the Union on SINH
| lar lines would result in n glorious up
building of the safe principles of loyalty
and patriotism.
MILITARY INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.
The committee, of which Comrade Al
| Ian G. Bakewell is Chairman, having the
subject of military instruction in schools
efficient during the past year, and careful
attention is called TO its very able and val
| liable report. A bill was introduced into
| Congress providing for the detail of retired
| and non-mommissioned officers of the Reg
| ular Army to teach military drill in
| schools, at the request of local boards, and
| this was not reached before the adjourn
ment. 1t is believed that it will become
a law at the next session, and it will be.
come a most useful and valuable measure
The Importance of proper military drill
| in schools is now generally acknowledged
| by our prominent educators. 1t develops
both mind and body in a desirable way,
| and it adds greatly to the physical culture
| of our youth. Besides, in country where
| the Nation depends upon volunteers for its
| soldiers in time of war, the wise and pru-
| dent knowledge Of military requirements
are elements Of National strength of the
| most desirable sort in times of peace. In
| this connection it is pleasure to announce
| that Lafayette Post, No. 40, of New
York, under COmrade Bakewell's able di-
rectiOn, has made present OF |, 400 bunt-
| ing flags 4 by 6 feet to Porto Rico,
Hawaiian Islands and Philippine
| Islands, besides numerous smaller flags
| for inside saluting purposes. 1t also pre-
sented several larger Stars and Stripes to
| schools in different parts of the Union.
Mention is made of the splendid work this
most eIHclenL IOSt Is uOlDS, In order That
other Posts having the opportunity may
| see how great n field is open before them
| for sending our beautiful flag far and near
as the emblem of the Nations pride and
glory.
MEMORIAL DAY.
Profoundly impressed with the weak
ening way Memorial Day is being OBJ
served in the element of games and d.
| versions Of one sort or another which are
| more and more coming into view, your
Commander-in-Chie strongly recommends
| that it fall on the last Sunday in May. If
| this change is made it is believed, from
| wide consultations and interchange of
| views, that the holy Sabbath day will pre-
serve it from the dissertations which now
| largely pervert the tender associations of
| this unique Memory Day from its original
| Specification. This subject was presented
| to the 32d Annual Encampment Mt Gin.
| cinnati, in 1898, and failed to receive the
| full support of comrades at that time
| owing, it is believed, to the lack of careful
consideration. The main objections made
| against the proposal were % that the
| legal holiday now fixed for May 30 would
| have to be changed, causing much trouble;
| (2l that it would not be wise to change
the date as originally designated, and 81
| that the clergy would not approve the Sc
lection of Sunday. These objections ap-
pear almost trifmg in view of the fact that
| the growing tendency of making an ordi