The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-11
TO OBSERVE
GRAND ARMY
FLAG DAY
Commissioner Of Public Schools
SteckWeII Issues His Annual
Circular Concerning II.

State Commissioner OF Public Schools
nual circular 90 teachers and pupils ask
ing for the observance of Grand Army
Tag Day" which occms on Feb. 18th,
the birthday OF President Abraham Lin
colin.
Flag Day" is observed in every public
school of the state and elaborate pro-
grams are now In preparation for. Mt
ting recognizance OF the school holiday.
Commissioner stochwell's circular is in
part as follows:
Teachers and Pupils: With the re-
turn OF the 18th OF February you are
summoned by our state law 10 the ceie-
erstion Of Grand Army Flag day.
trust that you are also moved 20 suit
able recognition OF the day by the impulse
ef your own hearts. The purposes 10 be
subserved are not promoted by its merely
legal observance. nor by a perfunctory
discharge OF any OF its duties. n Is only
as the heart is ldndled into warmth over
the subject. an the affections firmly grasp
the flag itself In their emS-ace. that the
various exercises OF the day really con-
tribute TO tho desired end
The object In the minds of the origi-
nators Of the festival. and the one that
animetes it's promoters at this time was
the creation and cultivation in the hearts
OF the young people of n patriotism that
could be relied on In time OF future peril
as fully as It was In the days Of the
Revolution or the Civil War. True pa
triotism combines genuine love OF ones
country and of her typical institutions
with devotion TO their maintenance and
perpetuity at whatever cost. II was the
absolute disregard OF the cost either OF
ufe or Of sufferings, which characterized
Sohe millions who rallied TO the support OF
the country in her hour OF need, that
proved such an unoonquerable bulwark
against her foes.
Most Of you know nothing Of those
DAYS and of the events which marked
them, save as the pages of history nave
transmitted the record. There Is dan.
ger that you will fail TO grasp the real
days Of heroism Actions embalmed In
oold type lose much OF their true charac-
ter. An account direct from the lips or
one who was himself a part OF the scene
described gives IL the reality and life OF
the actual occurrence. One sees with
the eye OF faith the real men and hears
the tones of their voices as they rally TO
the shouts OF their leader, or as they en-
courage one another in their deeds OF
vslor.
''It IL this personal testimony which
gives value and point to the cooperation
of the Grand Army with the schools In
this Flag Day celebration. and happy are
those OF you who are permitted TO listen
on this day 10 the living voice OF men.
who. when they speak. tell OF that which
they do know. and describe scenes OF
which they were part
I'm the work OF chrystaliIing this SEN
timent into a genuine, stelwart patrf-
otism the national flag is a large factor.
First OF all. II n beautiful. and beauty
naturally awakens love and devotion.
Second II is the symbol OF the govern
ment and stands for its purity and power.
Third. II is suggestive OF a rich and hal
lowed past with all Its stirring memo
ries. Many an eye. on the nth OF last
October. looked upon the old battle flags
as they were transferred from the old
state house TO the new. and one gazed.
no knew not why, his pulse beat faster.
his eye moSetened, his voice choked II
was the evidence OF n heart that was
true to country. and II spoke volumes
for the value OF the nag as an agency
In developing genuine patriotism"