Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-26
STUDENTS RETAIN
FOUNDERS SPIRIT
School Children Belle Charge
Against Modern Youth
in Essay Work.

That the spirit of 70 still survives In
this modern-dav era of Jazz, movies
and radio. belying the cry of the pes
sinists that young America is headed
for the rocks Of unbelief and diSreSpect
Is indicated in the essays submitted by
local school children in the recent con-
test Of the Sons and Daughters of the
Republic.
Writing OIL the subject what l,
Means to Be an American Citizen" the
boys and girls Of the eighth grade
classes who participated in the contest
showed that underneath the somewhat
frivolous veneer of their characters
there exists The same patriotic urge
that inspired the country's founders.
Nor were these Young eSSayiStS de-
scendec from these founders. either
None Of them is eligible TO membership
In the Children Of the American Revo-
luton. The Sons and Daughters of
the Republic Is a national organization.
sponsored by the D. A. r.. for work
among alien born children. not eligible
for its regular children's auxiliary. The
aims Of both the cflildren'S organiZa-
lions are identical. however--to inspire
and teach children the meaning Of true
loyalty to the United States. by emulat-
sng men and women Of the past who
lived for. and if necessary gave their
lives to-. their country.
Sentiments Original.
That the sentiments expressed in the
ESSAYS were original with the authors
Is at;ested TO by Mrs. Cabot Stevens,
Who conducted the contest and who
supervised the actual writing. She was
assisted by Miss Rebecca Whitcomb and
Miss NJ, A. King of the public schools
and By Mrs. Tonnis Hoizberg and Mrs.
Earl 5. Fuller Of the local committee
Of the Sons and Daughters of the Re-
public. Mrs. Stevens represented the
Mary Washington Chapter of the D.
A. r.
SO meritorious were the essays as a
whole that the judges found it no easy
task to pick the winners The judges
were Mrs. Curtis D. Wilbur. Mrs. Will
liam Sherman Walker. Mrs. Josiah A.
Van Orsdel. Mrs. W. ". Husha---,. Mrs
Warren E. Enley and Kenneth S.
Wales They reported:
The Judges have found it very diff
cult to make decision. as the ESSAYS
all show originality and excellent
training in American ideals and prin-
cipies. They wish to express their keen
pleasure and qualification at having
had a small part In this contest. the
value of which they deem to be in
estimable and far-Teaching.
First Prize Composition.
The essay which won first prize
among members @. the Nathan Hale
Club. the unit of the society which has
its headquarters at the Friendship
House, was written by Everett CookSey.
i3 wears OLD. 1t follows:
ITO be an American citizen means
70 have the freedom OF liberty which
no other country has. 1t is TO the e.er-
lasting glory Of the Constitution that
II has stood for over a century as the
form Of government OF the greatest
nation OF seif-governed freemen the
world has yet known. The eagle is
the symbol Of America with its soar
ing aspiration; the Stars and Stripes
our emblem. The preamble OF the
Constitution is our ideal Of government,
the Constitution the backbone and
structure
we have seen how the deepest feel
tngs that thrilled the hearts and souls
OF lovers Of liberty for centuries were.
By the magic pen OF Thomas Jefferson.
recorded In words 50 simple yet 50 SOUL
satisfying and inspiring that they have
VII be- II vas FIVE long years after
the Declaration Of Independence was
signed that Lord CORVALLIS surren-
deved and Great Britain acknowledged
that the people OF the United States
were free 10 govern themselves. 1t
vas IL years before the Constitution
vas ratified. We know how Washing
ton and the Continental Army suffered
and bled and many OF them died for
freedom
at is again a self-evident truth that
:o1ng Americans OF the present and
future will never give up. while life
lasts. the fine fundamental rights as
follows: FIRST. freedom Of person: Sec
end, freedom OF trial: third, freedom OF
worship: fourth. freedom of speech.
and fifth. freedom Of property. To
maintain these rights in the present
and IN the future. they In their turn
VII be willing. as their forefathers.
voluntarily 70 accept the five great OBJ
legations
The American public school is the
best way 70 recognize and maintain
their rights by voluntarily accepting and
fulfilling their obligations. The pur-
pose Of the school is 70 train the chill
cren Of fyeerYen for life. for liberty
al for the pursuit Of happiness. In
SccofCaTlCe Win Isae HlgEeSs American
:desls-a model for their free brethren
throughout the world, In order that
there may b. peace and good will
among men. The good American citi-
yer is the one We like 10 speak OF as
80 PER oent American citizen Every
citizen who is true 10 his country
vouC be interested not merely In the
matter materials. but in the thing ~
the spirit not merely In science. in
EenuoY4s. motors and skyscrapers. bit
also 10 Ideals. principles and ctarac-
ters
The daily salute 20 the flag, the
implied oath. the participa lions in pa
frlotic exercises and duties the study
q tke services and the sacrifices Of the
foyets theirs. al awaken ard develop
IN the hearts 81 the Junior citizen a
ceSsre ard Determination to become
81 their turn worthy eittzeYe rf the