The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-02-10
THE admirable idea OF establish


Of the Republic, for the purpose OF
inculcating in the minds ofthe rising
generation a more Jealous devotion
to our republican institutions and
to the flag, which is emblematic OF
them, originated with Daniel X.
Ballou OF Providence, Past Depart
ment Commander Of the Rhode Is
land Grand Army OF the Republic.
During his term Of office as Depart
ment Commander OF Rhode Island
in 1895, Col. Ballou took the oPPor-
tunity Of officially bringing to the
attention of his comrades the plan OF
having a special patriotic day for the
school children, an idea which had
been developing in his mind for
some time. AS all business matters
pertaining to the state g. a. X. or
ganization are attended to, until the
annual meeting occurs, by an execu-
tive board Of five members, known
as the Council Of Administration,
it was to this body, that the com
mander soon after his installation,
presented the subject for discussion.
The earnest suggestions OF Col. Bal
lou did not fail to find immediate
response from tho,e1 present. The
council accordingly appointed "a
committee to consult with the school
authorities. The members Of the
committee selected were Daniel x.
Ballou, chairman, William +.
Stone, Philip S. Chase, George B.
Peck, and John 7. Drinan, and the
day of their appointment, from which
time the Grand Army Flag Day
movement in Rhode Island dates its
beginning, was the sixth of February
1906. In due time these gentlemen
waited on the state commissioner OF
public schools, Hon. Thomas B.
Stockwcll, and as = result it was de-
cided to bring the matter before the
school Superintendents. Although
the proposed conference with the
school authorities as body did not
convene until the following Decem-
Der, the less OF time was fully COM
pensated by the successful outcome
Of the meeting. The commissions +
warmly approved of the project of
the G.. A. r.. and the school super
visers who were present from the
various towns through the common
wealth, heartily conceded with him,
and unanimously agreed upon the
following propositions: "Ist, The
establishment in the public school
calendar OF the state of permanent
patriotic day, portion OF which
shall be devoted to patriotic services
or exercises. and, The selection
of the birthday occurring or the I,th
day Of February OF the revered
President Lincoln. gid, The day
to be called Grand Army Flag Day
in appreciation of the services OF
the Grand Army in causing the Am
erican flag to float over nearly all
the school houses in this state" The
next step to be taken by the COM
mittee in order to successfully
consummate its object was to secure
such action by the school committees
as would cause the day to be legally
established throughout the state.
This part Of the work was accom-
plished by representatives from the
local @. A. K. posts, who appeared
in person before the school com
mittee Of the town in which their
particular post was located, and ex-
planned the project Of establishing
apatriotic day in the public schools
Nearly every town gladly sanctioned
the plan. One Of the most pleasing
and instructive features Of the ami
versary is the yearly visit of the vet
erans TO the schools. The Rhode
Island Department ofthe Grand Army
pledges it.elf to send each year as lons
as possible, il requested, at least one
comrade to attend the exercises in
each school. Narratives Of Their
varied experiences in camp, on the
march and Oh the field of battle
from 1861 to 'o5, fighting for th'
maintenance Of the Union and fol
the honor Of our national flag
can nor but create strong impression
Of patriotism upon the youth Of III
state. During the past decade Their
has been a widespread novemen
Al. a al