rights, equal privileges, under the Constitution which we should maintain perfect and unimpaired, proving under it and under our form of government that the rights of many and the rational enjoyments of millions may be realized and enjoyed, that through its attributes of divinity, its liberty and justice, the human race will rise to the highest degree of civilization and the greatest perfection attainable on the face of the earth.

The pupils who took leading parts were: Minnie Casey, who assumed the rôle of Columbia, while those who represented the thirteen colonies were: Mamie Phalon, Clara Lippart, Charles Kriper, Frank Sweeny, Jessie Hawkins, Frieda Brown, Catherine Sweeney, Thomas S. Grimke, Eva Edmunds, Charles Drueck, Emma Bowting.

FROEBEL SCHOOL.

At this school the exercises were opened at 10:30 with the singing of "America." After this the pupils went to their various rooms, when the formal programme, prepared for the occasion, was rendered. Mr. Edward Roby and the Rev. Dr. S. F. Smith, the venerable author of the hymn "America," carried out the programme, which was replete with good features. The pupils who took prominent parts were: Lizzie Lindstrom, Albert Sandquist, Alice Watson, Edwin Volk, Clara Falvey, Katie Adams, Julia Haighberg. At the request of the principal, the venerable author of the national hymn was asked to address a few words to the young. In introducing him, the principal, Mr. Henry C. Cox, said, "that he had sung America' as a boy, had sung it in camp, had sung it in Andersonville prison, had this morning sung it as a salute to the flag, had sung it in church, and would sing it again as a closing piece to the day's exercises. It was his wish," he said, "that not only might his pupils have the distinguished honor of seeing the author of the hymn which had inspired so much patriotism in every land, but might have the more distinguished honor of hearing him speak.”

After gracefully acknowledging the compliment, Dr. Smith said:

Since you have just sung the hymn "America," perhaps you would be interested in knowing something of its composition and the circumstances which led to its origin. In 1832 Mr. William Woodbury returned from Germany, where he had been studying

the systems of music in use in their schools, bringing back with him a great pile of the books used to teach the youth the elements of music. The books were given into my hands with the instruction that if I should see anything worthy of copying I should translate, if not I should write. I took the books and began turning the leaves until I came upon a song which impressed me in a peculiar way. I sang it through and at once wrote down on an old scrap of paper the hymn, "My Country, 'tis of Thee." As it appears to-day, so it was written in the first draft. Could I have realized at the time that the song would be taken up by millions, I certainly would have spent some time in revision. But it is as it is, and the people have made it theirs.

Mr. Roby delivered an eloquent and impressive address, which was heartily appreciated by the large audience.

VEDDER STREET SCHOOL.

The flag unfurling, followed by the singing of a patriotic song, opened the exercises at this school, after which the pupils went to their respective rooms and listened to the formal programme prepared for the occasion. The rooms were prettily decorated with red, white and blue bunting, pictures of Washington and Harrison, and flags. The programme inspired considerable enthusiasm and was heartily enjoyed by the whole school.

THROOP SCHOOL.

The formal programme was closely followed at this school. There were three speakers: Mr. D. F. Bremner, Mr. Adolph Kraus and Mr. F. W. Young, whose addresses were good. Young said:

Mr.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to find perfection in anything human, but the system of government given us by the men of the Revolution is as nearly perfect as anything human can be. When it was first established the royalists of England predicted its early downfall. The 100th anniversary of its birth we celebrate to-day, a hundred years full of changes, and it is here yet. Will it be here a hundred years from now or will it pass away, to be followed by despotism? The answer to a great extent lies with the children of this generation. It depends in a great measure on the conduct of the little boys of to-day and the influence of the little girls of to-day, whether the people of the country one hundred years from now will enjoy the rights of free government.

MOSLEY SCHOOL.

At this school there was no attempt at a special exhibition, but each class gave its own programme. There was the unfurling of the flag before the assembled pupils in the school grounds. Quotations were read from history, selections from the poets of the Revolution and pictures drawn on the blackboards, illustrating the principal events of the last hundred years. In the eighth grade the children, dressed in colonial costume, gave an interesting representation of Washington's inaugural. An eloquent address was made by Bishop Cheney. Another speaker was Mr. W. D. Roys, an extract from whose remarks is as follows:

In the first hundred years of our national history we have developed scholars, heroes and martyrs, and we have learned to look upon our Constitution as that perfect model which united the discordant elements in the confederation into more fraternal relations. Washington's memory lives and is celebrated by this. national pageantry to-day by sixty millions of people. He builded. for the future, and to-day we are building for the future under that flag which he unfurled in the wide extent of the heavens, and which is to be the emblem of constitutional liberty forever. We shall never look so far into the future as when we look into the past and seize upon some ideal life and place it high in the heavens as a fixed star for our guidance and direction. Dean Maitland cried from the pulpit "Oh get innocency!" and to-day Washington cries to us from the lofty heights of undying fame "Oh keep loyalty!" Thus shall every star emblazoned on our national banner shine resplendent forever.

In the seventh grade the pupils in their exercises made the study of Washington a special feature of the celebration.

FRANKLIN SCHOOL.

Long before the hour set for the commencement of the exercises of this school, a large crowd had gathered before the school building. At 10:30 the enthusiasm of the pupils was increased by the unfurling of the national colors, the band playing the "Red, White and Blue." After the song a short address was made by Mr. Francis Walker, standing upon the steps of the building. He paid a touching tribute to the founders of the nation, spoke impressively of the price at which liberty had been bought, of the protection afforded by the American flag, and unfolded the advantages of a

free country in which all men are equal. His desire was to impress on the children the importance of realizing the splendid future of this great country, who in a few years would become the voters of our land, and to whom would be confided the care of its institutions. With a knowledge of the history of past events we would be actuated by new objects and by patriotic feelings of the highest advantage to our country.

At the conclusion of the address, "Hail Columbia" was sung, and the children and the invited guests went to their several rooms, where the programme prepared for the occasion was finely executed by the pupils. The decorations consisted of small flags and blackboard drawings of American eagles, American shields, and, in fact, everything American.

MCCLELLAN SCHOOL.

Immediately after the cheering at the unfurling of the national colors had subsided, the teachers, friends, patrons and pupils of this school filed into the room in which the exercises of the day were to be held. The rooms were tastefully decorated with flags, bunting, pictures of Washington and Lincoln, and other appropriate designs. In two of the highest grammar grades all the grammar grade pupils were assembled. The speeches of the day were delivered by the Hon. John F. Finerty and Mr. C. W. Martin. Both of these gentlemen delivered eloquent addresses. Mr. Martin concluded his address as follows:

I have already made mention of the man who was more intimately connected with the foundation of the government than any other. We first knew him as a young lieutenant, saving the king's armies from destruction; next as a member of the Continental Congress; then commander-in-chief of the colonial forces; chairman of the committee that framed the Constitution; lastly, first President, twice unanimously elected. What shall we call him-warrior, patriot, or statesman? George Washington is without a parallel in the history of the world. While the successful leader of a great revolution, his patriotism was without ambition. Cæsar made himself perpetual dictator, and Brutus slew him for ambition. When Cromwell's Ironsides had placed England in his power, he placed himself at the head of a commonwealth with more power than a king. Napoleon, the offspring of the French Revolution, was not content with the kingdom of France and fell striving to

make all Europe his empire. But George Washington, when his enemies had been conquered, and he himself might have been king, disbanded his army and withdrew to his quiet home at Mount Vernon. Regretfully he left it to guide for a time the Ship of State as no other man could have done; and he left as a final legacy to his countrymen those sage suggestions contained in his farewell address. Grand, inspired and patriotic, George Washington stands unrivaled in all history. To some the future was doubtful, to him it was sure. He formed plans that have assured to you and to me this great American republic.

In the course of some eloquent remarks on the life, character and influence of Washington, Mr. Finerty declared that Washington stood preeminent in the world's history as personating high moral courage and immortal patriotism. Washington's achievements in arms were noble, modest and of unparalleled unselfishness. Called by his country, and placed at the head of the young republic, he did not conspire to murder its liberties, but rather to preserve and perpetuate them. He laid down the powers of office at the expiration of his term as President, as willingly as when supreme commander during the Revolution, he had disbanded his armies and had laid down the sword of sovereign command. The speaker then contrasted present conditions with those of 1789, and pointed out the beauty of maintaining a grand free country, united under one free flag, and guarded by a free Constitution. He paid a tribute to the free American system of public schools and the proficiency of the pupils, whose exercises he had witnessed. In the youth of America, as in the youth of nations everywhere, is to be found the hope of the future, but the American youth has more to fire his ambition than the youth of any other country. Born in the travail of a great Revolution; baptized in the blood of a fierce warfare, whose storm has rather strengthened than weakened the grand structure of our Union, our country has forever blotted from the pages of American history the foul stain of human slavery. He hoped that in the year of grace 1989, our children's children might join in the celebration of the second century of the perfection of the republic, and like their fathers before them, give thanks to the God of Liberty that they still dwelt in a country in which ruled no tyrants and pined no slaves.