Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-03-17
The Memorial Day Annual.

nav" VIC plCdouIS VI FISILluS, lying Ou
the teachers desk, that excellent lit
tie patriotic instructor, the Memorial
Day Annual. This book has been a
yearly visitor to our schools since the
year 1896, and it has had much to do
since then in developing within the
hearts of school children the spirit of
patriotism
Mr.. j. Q. Emory was state superin-
tendent in 1896, and so it was under
his direction that the first annual
was issued. But the details of that
first number We're left to Frank r.
Tucker, now second assistant attor-
ney general. He was then chief clerk
In the office of the state superintend.
ent. Being the son of veteran, he en-
tered heartily into the compilation OF
the little book on patriotism. 1t may
be worth while to put down here
part of Mr.. Emery's preface:
'To the Teachers Of the Public
ools:-The Grand Army of the Re
public and the Wisconsin Teachers
association have requested by vote
of those bodies, that a program of ex
ercises for all schools on Memorial
day be prepared and distributed
which will suggest suitable means by
which pupils in all these schools may
united in observing that day, and be-
come interested in the purposes and
sentiments which make the day sig
nificant.
In compliance with that request,
and in recognition of the value such
exercises may have in promoting the
spirit OF grateful appreciation of great
public service, high and pure ideals
OF loyalty and patriotism, and larg
er and clearer comprehension of the
cost by which civil institutions are
preserved when imperiled, and when
national unity and perpetuity can be
preserved only by the arbitrament of
war, this circular has been prepared:
and it is now sent forth to assist
teachers and pupils in the preparation
to participate in the public observ-
tnce of the 3Oth day of May as Me-
lorial day.
Recognizing that patriotism is an
spring and uplifting emotion, let
seek to promote it by leading the
18th to emulate the deeds and
irish the spirit of the unselfish,
heroic, the courageous men who
in the flag of their country the
blem of American citizenship. and
lowed and defended it with life and
assure to the end. So let us incul.
tie sense of the value of this
eat birthright that every boy and
cry girl shall prize it more than
toman or Greek esteemed birth in
the land of his nativity In the hope
that every teacher will heartily join
in the effort to promote increasing
respect for this great anniversary of
patriotism and gratitude for patriotic
achievements. this circular is sent
forth upon its suggestive mission"
The cover of that first Annual bore
the picture of torn and tattered
flag, and, with the exception of those
of 1904, 1905, and 1906, that same
cover has been used ever since: also
the same general arrangement of the
literary matter has been followed. But
there has been some change in the
last two issues. Until 1909 the little
books were sent forth to the schools
about the first of May. Last year it
was sent out in January so that it
could be of use in February for the
birthdays of Washington and Lincoln.
And the matter has been classified
for the easier selection of material for
use on Washington and Lincoln DAYS.
Memorial day, Flag day. ETC., The same
plan has been followed in the Annual
OF 1910. 1t is a beautiful book and
contains gems of both literary and pa
triotic value.
Comrade lamson's Birthday Present.
The first thing Comrade Albert
T. Lamson does every year is to
celebrate his birthday; for he was a
new years present to his folks. Some
times he observes the occasion in one
way and sometimes in another. It is
possible that now and then he passes
resolutions, yet it is not at all likely
that he VII ever quit smoking. On
the first day of last January he re-
ceived from comrade present of a
box of cigars which he greatly en-
joyed from time to time: but guess
he enjoyed fully as we'll the bit of dra,
matte soliloquy that the giver
dreamed out and copied down for him
Ii runs as follows:
An old veteran searching one day
among his relics comes across an old
clay pipe, short of stem and hoary
with age. Inspecting the pipe with a
reminiscent interest, he seats him.
self in his old armchair-the pipe in
one hand. a fragrant cigar in the
other: then thus to himself:
my Old clay pipe. IeIove thee yet
Tho banished now from fashions
set;
I've mourned for thee both near and
far
Yet solace found in my cigar.
(He lights his cigar and puffs.)
The corncob came and took thy
place
And favor found. From many a
face
Blue circles rose both span an:
spick