Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-03-10
No Lack Of Patriotic Sentiment.

No Lack Of Patriotic Sentiment.
February is peculiarly a month for
the expression of patriotic sentiment.
1t is the month of Washington and
Lincoln, and the very thought of our
two greatest Americans naturally be-
gets In us feeling of pride that we
are their countrymen. And it does not
so very much matter that some of us
are the children of foreign parents, or
even that we were ourselves born
across the sea. The great thing about
America is the fact that whoever
comes here from abroad is welcomed
at once into all the rights and privi-
ieges We all enjoy, if he comes here
to be an American citizen. If he
comes here to be one of us, he is one
of us. And there is something in the
very air that leads every true man
and woman among our immigrants TO
feel this fact.
We sometimes think that in the
busy affairs of every day life men for
get that we have home and a coun
try that claim their love and their
allegiance. But l do not believe this
is so. | am more and more delighted
in the ready manifestation of patrl-
otto sentiment among our little citi-
zens in school. 1t takes very little to
stir them up to surprising pitch or
enthusiasm. Under the inspiration or
the right kind of teacher they are lea
70 think our flag the most beautiful
thing their eyes are ever blessed with.
They do not, of course, fully compre.
mend all it means,-neither can we
groWn-ups. But they do know that 1t
means liberty, freedom, opportunity
the greatest blessings any government
can bestow upon its subjects. They
understand that under its protection
they have not only the freedom, but
the encouragement to make the very
most OF themselves. All children, OF
course, do not take advantage of their
splendid opportunities; some positive
ly reject them, just as many of us
older folks do. Yet, under the encour-
aging and helpful influence of their
teachers, they are creating for them.
selves high ideals of manhood, woman.
hood, citizenship. And their teachers
are doing this more than We think by
exalting in their minds the flag of our
country. These teachers of ours are
doing wonderful work for us ana
our country,-some of them uncon-
sclously, perhaps, yet doing it all the
same
nave had an opportunity of late to
see more than common of this work.
Some of these things l have seen
mere In our own city school. where a
talk about our flag seems TO hold the
brightest and most intelligent atten-
ton. Give them a chance to sing
America, and how they will straighren
up and go at it. Wave flag before
them, and how their eyes shine.
Some of our teachers are among the
very best of patriotic instructors.
They seem to appreciate the fact that
the character of our future American
our Wisconsin, our Madison citizen.
snip, is in no small measure dependent
upon them; and they seem glad to
accept the responsibility.
visit at the schools Of Waunakee
showed me; that that little village is
Dressed with most excellent teachers.
Ladies of the Woman's club met with
the high school pupils, and the little
toiks from the grades came over TO
crowd the high school room full
nave not seen anywhere livelier atteu.
ton to patriotic talk and music than
was manifested there The excellent
order there in all their movements
showed that the boys and girls are
getting good training Easy and han
by submission to necessary rules in
school Is the next thing to the same
kind of submission to the laws of the
nome community and the land. The
one begets the other.
| had the pleasant privilege OF
spending day and an evening in the
work of patriotic instruction in the
hVeiy little city OF Waukesha. just
no" the schools there are having an
especial interest in the fac Eyarv
scnooiroom there has a new fac Of
sood size and attached to a stan. ana
IN some of the rooms, al .aast rho
nag salute" is regular ,aorning ax.
erclse. The teachers say the hove
ana girls like to give this salute as
oIten as they are allowed to do so
lound that the slightest suggestion
1nat they might give the flag salute
would bring the youngsters TO their
feet with bound say all the
schools give the salute, but I musr
except the high school. 1t is some.
tnlng that has been taught the grades
this year, and Superintendent I,oomts
says II is the natural way to begin he.
low and work up. The source of ALI
this patriotic manifestation is To no
fo"nd in Mr.. LOOMS and his fortv
teachers. | do not think it ont nj
place to mention one of these teacn.
ers in particular, Professor ]. s. Nor.
rls, principal of what is known as the
Union school have seen some.
ening of his work before. when he was
principal of the high school at Pal
luyra He is enthusiastic in the mar
Ter OF patriotic instruction. The prin
cipals OF the other buildings also arr
awake TO the Importance of this
"ork, and are making it part of the
training of their nun;ls Th Re,
senool at Waukesha seems to me like