Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-07
FOR MORE PATRIOTISM.
The q. A. n. wants II Taught to All
the Children in the Country.
CTrom the New York Press.)

Col. Allan G. Blackwell of Now York
retent'y appointed by Gen. John c.
Black, commander n-chiei of the Grand
Army OF the Republic as CHIEF on mill
tary instruction and patriotic education
inc pubic schools. has undertaken one
OF me biggest tasks ever attempted by
| Il citizen of this country 1t is his prov
| incc to see to it that the school children
or the United states receive course in
patriotism along with the other know
iedge they absorb. Colonel Blackwell also
wishes them to get the rudmcnts at least
Oh Il military education.
Ever siHce his appointment by Com
mander-in-Chief Black ne has been busy
selecting his aides In the different States.
We mas held his present office for more
tilan i1vc years, but with each change
OF ADMINISTRATION in the Grand Army hc
must rearrangc his staff of aides. For
this reason there is nm interruption in the
work every gear. Nevertheless, the whole
starr, from the chief aide TO the member
from Oklahoma. is at work instillint the
PRIDE of country into the youth Of the
Iand. They are laborinG to have the stars
and stripes floating over Gerry school i'll
! the l nitcd States aud to have the daily
salute to the Flag" precede the morn
ing LESSONS.
Although not assuming to he pioneers
In the field Of patriotism, these Grand
Army workers have been persistent III
keel1nE the question thoroughly alive in
the piping times of peace They argue
mat the way to make patriots is to start
with the children. They have been active
IN urging Legislation to this end; they
nave enlisted tho interest Of school au-
thortios in tho floating of flags over school
houses and The adoption OF a Manual
81 Patriotism" Trcy have pleaded for
special exercises by schools IN rcoosni-
ton of national holidays and urged the
attendance of school Children ut Mem
orldl DAY observances. \ bill will he in
troduced in both branches of Congress 1t
/ the coming session asking for the detail
OF retired commissioned aul nnn-com
missioned officers to instruct the boys
/ IN tn" public schools in tie clements
! OF military drill
| But tho principal work OF Colonel Bate
well and his assistants is in Keeping the
tire of patriotism burning brightly III the
youthful breast The aides In the differ
tnt states choose assistants who address
the schools near their posts. The organ
! lzltion is most thorough, in spite of the
/ Tact that its operation l. int rruDtc1 about
TWO months in every year. 1t has cX-
tended is field to every state and terri
tory in the Union. and even the colonies
nave not been neglected. Colonel Bake
/ well ndd" one vOYag" {" Porto Rico ana
/ pr, scented patriotic address before a
/ great many schools IN the island. lie also
distributed thousands OF flags.
Il was greatly Impressed by the rec, p
! ton w got in Porto Eico," said Colonel
'iakcwcll ".f there l. one thing the
ISLANDERS seem to b. proud of it Is the
fact th1t they are under the protection
# the Stars and Stripes ami old Glory
i as much thcic flag as that Of any
Anne ric:n. I he crowds present at the
'N"roiscS in Ponce AMI san Juar mum
h"rod thousands. 1t WIS a virtual holiday
For each of the towns. and the flags