A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty is worth a whole eternity of bondage.—Webster.
OUR NATION’S BIRTHDAY.
FOURTH OF JULY.
PROGRAM.
Song—The Flag of Seventy-six. Reading—The Declaration of Independence. Class Exercise—The Poets’ Praise of Freedom. Song—The Sword of Bunker Hill. Recitation—Grandfather’s Fourth. Singing by School—Centennial Hymn. Recitation—Independence Bell.
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Address—By some School Officer or Patron. Song—The Star Spangled Banner. Recitation—The Revolutionary Rising. Song—Rally Round the Flag. Recitation—Warren’s Address. Recitation—America. Reading—How “America” came to be written.
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Singing by School—America.
The schools should teach patriotism. Independence Day should be celebrated by them in such a manner as to impress its lessons indelibly upon the minds of future
citizens; it should be celebrated during the school year, for children can thus be taught its value. I trust every school in our great State will so celebrate this day.—Jason E. Hammond.
“Patriotism is one of the positive lessons to be taught in every school. Everything learned should be flavored with a genuine love of country. Every glorious fact in the nation’s history should be emphasized and lovingly dwelt upon. The names of her illustrious citizens should be treasured in the memory. Every child should feel as though he is entitled to a share, not only in the blessings conferred by a free government, but also in the rich memories and glorious achievements of his country.”
THE FLAG OF ’SEVENTY-SIX.
[Air: The Red, White, and Blue.]
Wake the song to the nation’s defenders,
The years of prosperity glow;
The natal day welcome that renders
The love that to valor we owe;
Wake the song where our fathers, undaunted,
Proclaimed, when the nation was new,
That their ensign for liberty planted
Should be to the Right ever true.
To the Right, to the Right ever true,
To the Right, to the Right ever true.
The ensign for liberty planted,
Should be to the Right ever true.
When the Red Cross of England contended
With the Lilies of France, in their might,
Our fathers arose and defended
For freedom, the cause of the Right;
Then dared they the sceptre to sever;
For the Right, the far, forest ways they trod,
And templed the fair hills, wherever
Their faces were lifted to God.
