Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-03-16
The Memorial Day An ,uaI

have the pleasure of visiting, lying OF
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 dc
since then in developing within the
hearts of school children the spirit OF
patriotism.
Mr.. 7. @. 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 were left to Frank It.
Tucker, now second assistant attor.
ney general. He was then chief CLERK
in the Office of the state superintend
ent. Being the son of a veteran, ne en-
tered heartily into the compilation OF
the little book on patriotism. 1t ma.
be worth while to put down here a
part of Mr.. Emery's preface;
ITO the Teachers of the Public
Schools:-The Grand Army of the Re
public and the Wisconsin Teachers
association have requested by vote
of those bodies, that 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 a 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-
ance of the Both day of May as Me-
mortal Cay.
Recognizing that patriotism is an
inspiring and uplifting emotion, let
us seek to promote it by leading the
youth to emulate the deeds and
cherish the spirit of the unselfsh,
the heroic, the courageous men who
saw in the flag of their country the
emblem of American citizenship, and
followed and defended it with life and
treasure to the end. So let us incul.
cate sense of the value of this
great birthright that every boy and
every girl shall prize it more than
Roman or Greek esteemed birth in
the land of his nativity. In the hope
mat 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 it's 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.
con'ra6e Lamson's Birthday Present.
The first thing Comrade Albert
4. hanson does every year is to
celebrate his birthday; for he was
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 a present of a
box of cigars which he greatly en-.
joyed from time to time: but I guess
he enjoyed fully as we'll the bit of dra
matte soliloquy that the giver
dreamed out and copied down for him
1t runs as follows: NJ
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
reminiscent interest, he seats him.
self in his old armchair-the pipe in
one hand, fragrant cigar in the
other; then thus to himself:
''My Old clay pipe. love thee yet
Tho banished now from fashions
set:
i've mourned for thee both near and
far
Yet so'ace found in my cigar
CHe lights his cigar and puTs)
The corncob came and took thy
place
Ard favor found. From many
face
nj. 49, -. hnah --r