Indoctrinating Young Immigrants To Be Patriotic
Independence Day Celebration
A Short Article From The New York Evening World July 3, 1893
Immigrant street scene with patriotic children NYC circa 1916
CHEERED LIKE AMERICANS
Independence Day Exercises at
the Baron de Hirsch School.
Little immigrants Show the Results
of Patriotic Training.
Four hundred and fifty very bright-looking little boys and girls, children of Russian Hebrew Immigrants and pupils of the English day classes of the Baron de Hirsch fund school, this morning commemorated Independence Day at the Hebrew Institute, East Broadway and
Jefferson street.
The exercises were simple, but full of patriotism, and gave ample evidence of the wisdom of that part of the curriculum introduced by Auditor Balch, of the Board of Education, which relates to the inculcation of sentiments of love for “Old Glory” and the country over which it floats.
One exercise in particular, the “Salutation of the Flag,” was entered into with such a spirit of earnest devotion as to leave no doubt of the sincerity of the children as they uttered these final
words with uplifted hands:
“We give our heads and our hearts to our country. One country, one language, one flag.”
Baron De Hirsch fund school children c. 1905
The remarkable feature of this school is that it prepares immigrants’ children in a remarkably short time for instruction in the public schools. Some of these children have been in the United
States for only three weeks, and already manage to make themselves well understood in English.
Several of them recited this morning, and, although their accent strongly betokened the foreigner, their speech was clear and could be readily understood.
Following was the programme:
1 “Good Morning” sung by pupils: 2. The Nation’s Birthday: 3 Try Again: 4. Why We Keep July 4, 5. Calisthenics; 6. Soldier Boys; 7. Star Spangled Banner, 8 Goblins Will Catch You; 9. Salute
to the Flag: 10. Blessing, 11. Hurrah for the Flag.
Among the visitors were Mr. A.S. Solomons, General Agent of the Baron de Hirsch Fund, Col. Balch, of the Board of Education; W. L. Mason, Miss Classie Cohn, Mr. Wilson L. Gill, of the Patriotic League. Mise Abbie McClennen and Miss Bertha Eger.
Before concluding the exercises Mr. Solomons told the pupils that there was a belief prevalent that only Americans knew how to cheer.
“Is that true” he asked.
The reply was a rousing ““hurrah!” which proved conclusively that it was not necessary to have an American throat to make the welkin ring with an American cheer.
Things Have Changed
You may read this article and come to the conclusion that immigrant children of one hundred thirty years ago were indoctrinated to conform. Some might even say brain-washed to be good little Americans.
Unfortunately the educational system today is more often about bashing America’s core values and institutions to young students.
Is it any wonder that the United States is more divided than ever.
