The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-05-21

superintendent of public instruction,
has just issued new leaflet with refer
ence to Memorial Day. Iowa, that
when but a mere fringe Of settlements
along ltheiMississippi and the Missouri
rivers, sent $4,000 of her sons to the
! front, has always hallowed Memorial day.
ProfessorEBarretti introducesEh Ehis leaflet
with the following quotation from Ben
jamin Harrison. "Let they national flag
| float over every school room in the coun-
try, and the exercises be such as shall
impress upon our youth the patriotic
duties of American citizens" The
state superintendent says:
! To the teachers and pupils of the pub
lie schools of Iowa: Memorial day has
been dedicated as sacred to the nations
loyal dead and should be so honored
and observed in every school in the
state. 1t stands not only for national
ity, but symbolizes the indestructibility
OF the republic through the valor and
devotion of it's patriotic citizens. BY a
correct observance of this day the
children and young people can demon
strate to the old soldiers that gratitude
| is the fairest flower of the heart" And
we are confident that no exercises will
give them so much genuine pleasure as
| those presented by the schools. One
writer has said that "if the men whom
j thn n o4,e,
from the battlements Of that undiscov-
cred country whittier they have gone,
upon the countless memorials placed to
their memory, they would be deeply
moved by these expressions of the graf
itude Of the nation. But they would
be more profoundly moved could they
see the children of the land gathered
year after year to pay homage to their
memory. For the granite will crumble
away, the picture canvass grow dim,
the stately buildings decay; but to be
cherished in the memory of our youth is
to live in perpetual springtime.'
In each community where there is a
Grand Army Post or Womans Relief
Corps, it will be well to invite such
orders to attend and participate in the
teNercises. And where no such organi-
izations exist all the veterans Of the
school district should have special invi-
tations to be present and take some
active part.
This leatlet is prepared and published
with the hope that it may be a guide
to the teachers in planning their exer-
cises for Memorial day Of this year. A
suggestive program is given which may
be helpful in arranging one suited to
local conditions. During the days of
preparation the teacher should make
good use of the opportunity to teach
patriotism by presenting noble exam
pies of self-sacritice, of gallant deeds
and heroic fortitude
Expressing the hope that the day may
be one of pleasure, profit and patriot
ism, am sincerely,
RICHARD G. BARRETT,
Superintendent Public Instruction.
He suggests the following programs
made up of selections found in special
day books of 1901 and 1902:
FOR LOWER GRADES.
Song, 1001.........."God Bless Our Native Land
Recitation. 1909 'Let Little Hands" "
Exercise 1907. The Little Army -
Recitation. 1901. "a Child's Onering
Song, 1902, ........"My Brave Soldier Roy''
Exercise, 1901 Blossoms or Flowers y
Concert Recitation. 1901 |
| The Children's PLEDGE
Address. .......By Member W. R. c.
Song, 1902 2........."We Are Little Soldier Boys >