The Washington herald., 1908-06-13
OLD GLORY HONORBD
Flag Day Observed by the
School Children.
FIFTY THOUSAND TOOK PART
Word Pictures of the Deeds of Amer
lean Generals and Soldiers Given
by Veterans Of Two Wars-ROOms
Decorated with the Stars and
Stripes-SOngs and RecitatiOns,

The 131st anniversary Of the birth OF
Old Glory was appropriately celebrated
yesterday by more than 5000 pupils OF
the District public schools.
In every school building word pictures
Of the accomplishments OF heroes under
the Auttering folds OF the star Spangled
Banner" We're given by gray-haired vete-
rams of the civil war and stalwart young
soldiers Of the late Spanish-American
war, while the smiling-faced children Of
to-day-the citizens of to-morrow-sang
the praises Of the red, white, and blue in
prose and verse.
Patriotic societies held Flag Day exer-
cises last night In various churches, and
IN song and story recalled the deeds Of
our forefathers, inspired by the tri-col-
ored emblem OF liberty. Tributes We're
paid TO the men Of the North, the South
the East. and the West, who have car
rled the Stars and Stripes to every corner
Of the world.
Decorated with FlnBs.
The school-rooms were decorated with
flags, and every school child carried the
national emblem. A spirit Of patriotism
prevailed everywhere. and gave an added
proof OF the growing interest in the
days patriotic observances.
All exercises by the public schools were
held yesterday afternoon, with the ex-
ception OF Eastern and Western High
schools. which held their observance yes
terday morning The teachers presided
over the exercises OF their respective de-
partments. while the supervising prin-
cipals and principals were present to en-
courage the youths 10 pay Difference to
the flag.
Each school programme consisted OF
addresses by members Of the G. A. r.
Army and Navy Union. Spanish-Amer-
lean War Veterans S. A. r.. ID. A r..
and other patriotic societies. Songs,
choruses. and recitations were given by
the pupils.
At the Morse School. Col John McEl-
roy told the pupils that the sacredness OF
our flag did not depend upon the fact
that II was the flag of the greatest. the
richest, the most prosperous country OF
the world. which could summon more
men 10 its defense than any other. but
that II was the only aag born OF prin-
ciple, and that the million men who had
died for il had died 10 make that prin-
ciple dominate the world.
The flags of other nations came as
symbols OF their wealth and power, and
were more or less stained by histories OF
aggression and oppression ne SAD
but ours was dedicated 70 the principle
Oh .ffrrn1 aud tfI-
dowed by their Creator with life, liberty
and the pursuit OF happiness. To vindi-
cate this principle has been the sole ain
Of those who have fought and died IoI
the flag
Address by w. v. Cox
At the Emery school W. V. Cox de-
livered the address. and said;
The United States flag was first raised
over public schoolhouse on Catamoun'
Hin. Colerain. Mass. in 1Sl2, just before
the second war with Great Britain The
building and flag were in marked con-
trast 20 yours.
THE first public school 10 make the
use OF the flag a permanent feature OF
public school administration was th'
Fifth Street Grammar School OF New
Bedford. Mass This was early IN th'
civil war. That old nag is still preserve
and has been displayed on every schoo
/ day since that time.
/ after the firing on Fort Sumter
flag was hoisted over the Washington
school. Chicago. This example was fol
/ lowed by the schools Of Lawrence and
/ GroveIand, Mass, and many cities Of th'
/ North.
I'm 1861 the flag was placed on all th'
/ schools of New York City. In 1889 there
was a greater impetus given to the us'
/ of the flag by the order Of Presiden
/ Harrison. requiring Il 10 be displayed oI
/ government buildings.
In 1890 Capt. Wallace Foster, The Flal
/ Man was instrumental in having a mas
pole erected in the grounds Of Public
/ School No. %. indianapolis. tha: became
/ the rallying point in the campaign to
patriotism in the public schools OF IN
diana and other States.
Survival of the Fittest.
1.-THE American flag is one OF revolution
and an Illustration Of the doctrine o
evolution. Its age proves Il 20 be a sur
vival OF the fittest. our flag has beer
called a floating piece Of poetry. II
greatest beauty-and all its lines arr
heaven born-is in what ii symbolizes
II stands for liberty, for which ou
fathers fought: It stands for sovereignty
il stands for independence; it stands 70
law and order; it stands for the Declara
ton Of Independence; it stands for tn
Constitution and a reunited country
At the Conduit School Mrs. Isabe
Worrell Ball spoke. She told OF the beau
Nv of the American flag. and Of II
heaven-born colors. She said more peopl
had died for the American nag than 10
any other flag in the world. She charge
the pupils to keep the flag clean, ant
20 object at all times and in all place
to having the flag used for anything ex
cept an emblem Of the power and Nigh
of the government She then recite
! Riley's lode to the Flag"
Mrs Ball also spoke at Blair School
.I / aTArace frh