INTRODUCTION. It is well to put in the very forefront of this book, the law in accordance with which this " Manual of Patriotism" has been prepared: LAWS OF NEW YORK.- By Authority. CHAP. 481. AN ACT to provide for the display of the United States flag on the schoolhouses of the State, in connection with the public schools; and to encourage patriotic exercises in such schools. Became a law April 22, 1898, with the approval of the Governor. Passed, threefifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the school authorities of every public school in the several cities and school districts of the State to purchase a United States flag, flagstaff and the necessary appliances therefor, and to display such flag upon or near the public school building during school hours, and at such other times as such school authorities may direct. § 2. The said school authorities shall establish rules and regulations for the proper custody, care and display of the flag, and when the weather will not permit it to be otherwise displayed, it shall be placed conspicuously in the principal room in the schoolhouse. 3. It shall be the duty of the state superintendent of public instruction to prepare, for the use of the public schools of the state, a program providing for a salute to the flag at the opening of each day of school and such other patriotic exercises as may be deemed by him to be expedient, under such regulations and instructions as may best meet the varied requirements of the different grades in such schools. It shall also be his duty to make special provision for the observance in such public schools of Lincoln's birthday, Washington's birthday, Memorial day, and Flag day, and such other legal holidays of like character as may be hereafter designated by law. § 4. The State superintendent of public instruction is hereby authorized to provide for the necessary expenses incurred in developing and encouraging such patriotic exercises in the public school. § 5. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize military instruction or drill in the public schools during school hours. § 6. This act shall take effect immediately. Reading the foregoing carefully, it will be noted that, law-like, not a word is said as to the intent of the law. But whoever will "read between the lines" cannot fail to see its gracious purpose,- nothing less or other than to awaken in the minds and hearts of the young a strong and abiding regard for the flag and intelligent appreciation of the great men and great deeds that have made it to be, to all American youth, the rallying-cry of patriotism. In other words, the Empire State seeks for its countless host of boys and girls the inculcation of a true spirit of Patriotism and a loving regard for its greatest symbol, the Flag. Note also in the law the constraint that is put upon the authorities of every public school in the State, to furnish, display, and care for a flag. That means that the State is interested to see that those into whose hands are put all the great interests of the schools — with their large corps of teachers and immense army of pupils - shall make clear the will and mind of the State in respect to the patriotic education of its children. This good law was put upon the statute-book through efforts made largely by the Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic. Under "General Orders, No. 6," issued August 9, 1897, a special Committee was appointed "to examine and report to the Department * upon the best practical methods of teaching Patriotism and Civics in our public schools." The Committee, having previously been divided into three parts, viz.: on Civics and History; Patriotic Exercises; Public Celebrations,— made its triple report in November, 1897. This report, under the title, " To Promote Patriotic Study in the Public Schools," was published in pamphlet form by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for general distribution throughout the State. This action greatly influenced the patriotic legislation embodied in the law above quoted. In "General Orders, No. 10," we read: "The comrades feel deeply indebted to Supt. Skinner for his most helpful and valuable co-operation in this important patriotic work, which lies so close to all their hearts." "Which lies so close to their hearts."-What pathos in those words! The brave men who fought the battles of the Union from '61 to '65 are fast passing away. Not many years hence the last heart will have ceased to beat. But meantime, how active and strenuous they are in all right efforts to vivify and strengthen the sentiment of true patriotism in the hearts of the young! Everywhere they keep Memorial Day,- a constant object lesson to the present generation. But besides this, in some cities, they are the inspiration to a ceremony called the " Transfer of Flags." And a special word of praise is due to Col. A. D. Shaw, Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R., for his untiring zeal in the sacred cause of patriotism, and for the results he is bringing about in cementing the loyal friendship of Blue and Gray. Indeed, in many ways, the veterans of War are showing a profound interest in all that makes for lasting and honorable Peace. In this work of beneficent patriotism many a Women's Relief Corps is having a large and honorable share. For there are many matters connected with the care of the sick and needy that can be safely and sympathetically entrusted only to women. And thus, through their kind and most unselfish ministrations, patriotism is exalted and made more sacred in the eyes of the young. But G. A. R. and Women's Relief Corps, though the greatest, are not the only organizations that are helping (each in its own way and sphere) to strengthen the cause of patriotism. Here are a few others: Sons of Veterans, U. S. A., Sons of the Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Revolution, Colonial Dames of America, Association of Spanish War Veterans. Let all be welcomed to a part in the work of loyalty-building; let none be found negligent or lukewarm therein! To no individual, scarcely to any organization, is this Manual so greatly indebted as to Charles R. Skinner, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The G. A. R. Committee, in acknowledgment of his aid, speaks most gratefully of his "fruitful counsels and suggestions." And the editor of the Manual hereby wishes to give his testimony to the untiring interest shown by the Superintendent, to his unflagging enthusiasm, his constant wish for the doing of anything, everything, which might increase in youthful hearts the love of the Flag and of Native Land. Let the following letter attest his deep concern for the patriotic welfare of the young: "ALBANY, March 1, 1900. "To the Boys and Girls of the Empire State: 66 in the streets. It is spring by the calendar to-day,- but outside of my windows, the wind is blowing hard and cold and the snow is piling up great drifts At such a time how pleasant it would be for me if I could gather you all in one great schoolroom around a big, roaring fire and talk to you about your school. But I cannot do that. is no room or building on earth large enough to hold you all. must talk to you, if at all, with my pen. There "I hope you will all study hard, be obedient to your teachers and kind to your schoolmates. Do not shirk any lessons, no matter how difficult they may be, for if you master your lessons now, you will be better able to conquer many difficulties when you grow to be men and women. can. "When you play, I hope you will play as hard as ever you It will help you to get strong and keep strong in body, just as hard study will strengthen your minds. Then, in years to come, you will not be in danger of 'breaking down' when you have much work to do with hands or brain. “I suppose you have heard it said that 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' And I believe that all play and no work would be just as bad. Don't you? So I want to tell you how to do something that certainly is not all work and surely is not all play—indeed, most of it is neither work nor play. What to call it I hardly know, but I am sure that no pupil who does it will be a dull boy or a dull girl. "When you are tired of work and lessons, and tired, too, of play, just stop your work or your play and think about the Flag of your country. And not only think about it, but read about it, write about it, learn what others have said about it sing about it. You will find plenty of things to aid you in your thinking, reading, writing and singing, in those programs which your good friend, the editor of the Manual, has prepared for your special use. Now will not that be a pleasant change from work, and far more useful than mere play? I am sure also that it will illumine your work and your play with the 'fine gold' of Patriotism. 66 Patriotism, dear children, means love of country. It is something that lives in the heart, and makes one willing to do anything that will be for the good of his country. So you see you cannot learn it from your books, nor get it from your play. But by using the exercises of this book, I think you can find and put away in your hearts that spirit which will make of you all good citizens true patriots, loving your own land and wishing all nations of the earth to possess that freedom and happiness which you in America so much enjoy. I hope that you will find in this book those symbols of your country which stand for the great principles upon which our government is founded; that you will have your imagination aroused so that you can see, as with your eyes shut,' what beautiful lessons in patriotism those symbols teach, lessons that will prove to be like pictures of pleasant things that you may hang on the walls of Memory, never to fade; that in the sweet and strong music of the book you may feel your young spirits strengthened to fight, in years to come, in peace or in war, the noble battles of Patriotism and the Flag. 66 [Signed.] "Sincerely yours, Charles Restimer |