Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1919-09-25

Reminder of Sacrifices Made by Sol
diers and SaiIors-Many Commune
ties Favor the idea.
Soldiers memorials in the form of
community buildings, dedicated to
civic and social uses, and, wherever
possible, built with bonds of the fifth
Liberty loan, are urged by the bureau
of education, department Of the inte-
rior, in a circular sent to every school
community in the United States.
A number of communities have al
ready concluded that a building, in
constant use as a reminder of the
sacrifice made by the soldiers and
sailors of the great war, is more ap-
propriate and enduring than the con-
ventional graveyard monument.
"There is a growing conviction" says
DR.. Henry e. Jackson, author of the
bureaus circular, 'that the conven-
tional stone shaft, placed in a grave
yard among the dead, is not a fitting
memorial to those who died for free
dom. The suggestion, made both in
- IN IJdJ lIlCEC Liz.
MORALS take the form Of community
buildings, dedicated to civic and social
uses, is obviously wise and ought to
meet universal approval. On the walls
Of such a building should hang a
bronze tablet containing the names of
each community's martyrs to liberty.
The Roll Of Honor.
"This type Of memorial will guar
antee that no boy who gave his life
for justice and freedom will be forgot
ten. The number of American lives
lost in this war is very small in COM
paFison to those lost in the Civil war.
If a community lost only three or four,
it might not think it worth While to
build a monument. But a community
building is needed entirely apart from
its memorial purpose. The chief adj
vantage of this type of memorial, how
ever, is not that it is economical. but
that it keeps green an inspiring men,
DRY, and it seeks to put into operation,
through its civic and social activities,
the ideals for which our boys fought
in France.
Funds for this purpose could be
raised more easily if they We're raised
! in the form of Liberty bonds during
the fifth loan, which is to come in the
spring. The bonds can be used as
money when the time comes to build.
Thus a community can serve itself,
while, at the same time, it is rendering
a national service. By this method
j more money for the government could
be raised than by any other. Not only
I would many individuals gladly contrib.
( ute an extra bond or two for the bene.
: fit of their local community, but many
thefr small gifts and contribute to a
bond. Likewise, entertainments and
/ social activities can be utilized to raise
money for the same purpose. Oppor.
/ tunlty should be given for as many as
g possible to have a part in the enter.
prise. For men to contribute outright
a few Liberty bonds to a local com.
munity cause will help to dispel the
! delusion that a man is doing anything
e especially generous when he puts his
money into an investment which offers
t the best security in The world and a
fair rate Of interest. To couple the
fifth loan With free gifts and soldiers
memorials viii make it in a real sense
e a Victory loan. 1t will be much more
loan.
Should Be the School.
wherever possible this community
II cmorial building ought to be the pub.
lie schoolhouse, In order to prevent
, needless waste through duplication.
1t is the logical community center. It
Is nonpartisan, nonsectarian and non.
> exclusive. 1t is owned and operated
by all the people and therefore fur,
nishes a platform OF which all can
l meet on terms of self-respect. The
schoolhouse could be remodeled or en-.
larged or replaced by a new one. 1t is
the natural capitol and clubhouse of
4 every community. In rural districts
l small schools should of course be con-
solidated in order to eliminate a waste
. and secure a community large enough
I to support the kind Of building here
: proposed.
"The clubhouse ought to be used
for this purpose wherever possible
If in any place the school officials are
I Gnprogressive and unawake to their
opportunity, then an independent
building ought to be erected. Institu'
{ tons are made for the people, not the
, people for institutions. Let us use
1 whatever means are available for our
purpose. But there is NJ need for any
community to submit to a backward
looking board Of school directors. The
schools belong to the people and it is
their privilege to compel school off
Gals to be their public servants and
execute their WILL"
In his foreword to the bureaus cir
cular, Commissioner Claxton states
that the bureau of education will glad
ly join with other agencies in stimu-
latinp the erection of memorials Of this