Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-03-09
No Lack of Patriotic sen.imsnt


two greatest Americans naturally be-
gets in us a feeling of pride that We
are their countryuen. 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-
leges 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 10
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 | do not believe this
is so. | am more and more delighted
in the ready manifestation OF patrI-
otto sentiment among our little citi-
zens in school. 1t takes very little 10
stir them up TO a surprising pitch OF
enthusiasm, Under the inspiration or
the right kind of teacher they are lea
to think our flag the most beautiful
thing their eyes are ever blessed with.
They do not, of course, fdlly compre-
bend all it means,-reither can we
Tla.t L., 81
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, Oh
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-
sciously, perhaps, yet doing it all the
same.
| have had an opportunity of late to
see more than common of this WORK.
Some of these things have seen
here 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 straighten
up and go at it. Wave a 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
ship, is in nc small measure dependent
upon them: and they seem glad to
accept the responsibility.
A visit at the schools of Waunakee
showed me that that little village is
blessed with most excellent teachers
Ladies of the Womans club met with
the high school pupils, and the little
folks from me grades came over 10
crowd the high school room full. I
have not seen anywhere livelier atten-
ton to patriotic talk and music than
was manifested there. The exceIleut
order there in all their movements
showed that the boys and girls are
getting good training Easy and han
Ply submission to necessary rules in
school is the next thing to the same
kind of submission to the laws of the
home community and the land. The
one begets the other.
had the pleasant privilege of
spending a day and an evening in the
work of patriotic instruction in me
lively little city of Waukesha. Just
now the schools there are having an
especial interest in the flag. Every
schoolroom there has a new flag Of
good size and attached to a star ana
IN some Of the rooms, at .aast. the
nag salute" is a regular morning ex-
erclse. The teachers eav the boys
and girls like to give this salute as
often as they are allowed to do 81
! found that the slightest suggestion
that they might give the flag salute
would bring the youngsters to TIER
feet with bound / say all lin.
schools give the salute, but musr
except the high school II Is soma.
-hing that has been taught the grades
this year. and Superintendent Loomis
saws 1t is the natural way to begin he
low and work up. The source of ali
this patriotic manifestation is to he
fo'nd in Mr.. LOOMS and his forty
teachers. ! do not think il out ar
place to mention one of these teacn-
ers IN particular. Professor J. 8. Nor.
rfs- principal of what is known as the
Union school. have seen some.
thing of his work before. when he was
principal Of the high school AT Pal
myra- 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
work, and are making it a part of the
training of their pupils. The hfeh
school at Waukesha seems to me like
a model of its kind Il is large. com-
pcsed Of bright. vell-behaved youpg
men ana vrou,eyz and q -. -