The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-05-23

Of the late war | count myself happV
that | have the privilege to speak to
the boys and girls in the public school
ON subject so dear to my heart.
am an enthusiastic believer in the Of
gantlc power the public schools have
in the land.
The public schools of today will be
the governing power of the land a
few years hence. When we stop to
think of the schools of 80 years ago
1t IS well for us to pause and think
what we may expect to see 80 wears
from now. [ believe they hold the
Key OF knowledge that viii open the
door to worldwide peace | predict
that within the next 80 years the
world viii be governed by right in
stead of might, by humanity and ius-
tice instead of by force, and then the
peace of the world will be kept bv an
international police force and an in
.ternational navy under the direction of
La world congress.
believe our government would do
well to put less money into the army
land navy and more into education.
Education is the schoolmaster Of
worldwide peace. Worldwide peace is
looming with all its blessings to bless
mankind. 1t viii bring freedom and
individual liberty to the poor and
oppressed. 1t will come through the
Iopen door of education in the free pub.
lie schools of the world There are in
the schools of the United States proper.
Exclusive Of city, night and other mis-
cellaneous schools, 20 100000 scholars
I and $4,000 teachers to give this vast
number instruction 159 DAYS on an av-
erage each year. About one-fftb of
the population Of the United States
are in the schools.
You should feel proud that YOU are
Americans and members Of the free
public schools. As an old soldier I
would say to you, preserve the Union
and liberty for which so many fought
and for which we died TO save. Remem-
Der that peace has its victories no less
than war and that there IS as much
bravery IN doing your daily duty as
IN fighting great battles Not ali the
heroes are found on the battIefelds.
The boy or girl who dares to do RIGHT
IN the face OF opposition, is truly a
nero. In my army life Of two years
and nine months | was five times
wounded, from which | have suffered
all these long years. I have the proud
title of being Il good soldier by those
who know. / have learned that 10
stand in the battle of opposition ON
the side of right takes as much eour-
age as it did to march into the smoke
of battle.
Go forward like brave soldiers I'M
til You can place the cross of King
Emanuel and Old Glory side by side in
every schoolroom in the land. Then
and only then can YOU claim the vic
tory. Such should be your mission ana
such your bright anticipation, and il
true to your faith and active in Your
efforts, when YOU have finished life $
work other tongues and voices viii
bless the names and works Of the pub
lie school OF America.
On the return of this Memorial dav
May 30, 1916, the surviving comradc,
will east aside their usual pursuit and
strew with flowers the graves Of thei.
fallen comrades. They invite the
pubic schools to join them in this
loyal and patriotic duty. This labor
of love to their fallen comrades. viii
soon be your duty to perform. Then
on the return of each Memorial day.
as You place the little flag and strcw
with flowers the graves of Your coun-
.try's defenders. may it be done with
loving hearts and willing hands with
a silent prayer to the God of battles
that the sound of war may never
again be heard in this fair land.
PETER s. CHASE,
Co. I, 2d Rgt. Vt Vols.
BrattleborO, May %, 1916.