Newark post., 1921-09-14
CONSTITUTION DAY
Bulletin from State Board of
Education

cfI i
signed by the members of the con-
,,ant;on which had drawn it, and it u
,,as shortly thereafter submitted by T.
Congress to the states for ratification. c
A. II was ratified at various times by d
different states, the one outstanding
1a+a connected with our Constitution :
;s that of it's formal approval by the
Convention. This day, therefore, takes
rank next to that of the signing OF I
+ba Declaration Of Independence in our {
rational annals. Indeed, that latter /
,,orld have brought small permanent
rosult had it not been for the adop-
t;on of the Constitution. The condi-
+ion of America, group of small and
an+agonistic nations, would have been
scarcelv better than that of Central
A,rerica now, or the Balkans.
The appropriate observance OF Con-
stitution Day is an opportunity to i'm
nress upon young citizens the signifi-
cance of the making of the Constitu-
+on of the United States and the es-
sential principles Of our democratic
c;vil;zation. The present stress on
Amerjcanization is an eloquent appeal
70 the school to neglect no opportun-
itv to teach American ideals and to
;nsnire in pupils loyal faith in
American principles of popular gov
ornment. But this must not be blind
faith. The only worth while faith
will he built on the knowledge OF our
mast history and embedded in clear
corprehension of the principles OF
o,r Government and our civilization.
The conditions which make ours the
host country in the world in which to
live depend primarily upon our fund
orantal law-the Constitution. upon
1.-THE grandest document ever STRUCK
off at one time by the brain OF man
rosts all our government and most OF
our happiness. The pupils should Of
sbown the contrast between tn'
rni+ad States and countries Will
other forms of government, as TO HE
and the contrast between the United
States and other countries such
Soviet Russia where principles NOR
or less like ours, have been fallur
in making happy and prosperous ma
tions. The danger OF the Reo
America NAV thus be brought out.
The program for such an occasio
should include three separate o'
jects:
/. Instruction.
.. Inspiration.
. 3. Enjoyment.
The actual procedure may lnciu'
recitations, songs, students essay
and talk by the teacher or an lnte
esting speaker on the meaning Oh
Constitution.
7 Poems for reading and recitatl
! NAV be found in whatever material
available.
I Songs suggested are: "Amerlc'
! "The Star Spangled Banner" bat
/ Hymn of the Republic" "Amerlca
Beautiful" columbia the Gem Oh
! Ocean" and "The Battle Cry
Il Freedom"
Appropriate essays can De VIII
+ by students on subjects suggested
the above or gotten from Amerl'
history of 17S3-17S9.
/ References suggested are: fls
John, Critical Period OF Amerl
4 History; Dillon, "American All
/ versaries," Dillon Pub. Co., N.
I anv good United States History.
IL 1t is sincerely hoped that the
cational opportunity afforded by
thoughtful celebration OF Septeh
Il II, Constitution Day, VIII not pe
Il by a single school in Delaware.
4 If any teacher finds that 1t VII
Il impossible, because of the short
between now and September IL
arrange a suitable celebration
! suggested that she let the DAY
1 with a mention of its significance,
have fitting program prepared
! December 7, the anniversary Oh
1 fcation by Delaware.-H. v.
I way, State Superintendent Oh =
Instruction.