216 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF EDUCATION. 
The history of the formation of the Federal Constitution, and an ac- 
count of its peculiar provisions embodying the genius of our government 
‘n its three distinct departments—Ilegislative, executive, and judicial— 
should be carefully developed, and clearly impressed upon the pupil’s 
mind. The growth of our country, its rapid progress in material re- 
sources, its increase in the variety and quality of its industries, its present 
relative strength among the nations of the earth, with its extent of terri- 
sory, its large population, and its great wealth—all these things are calcu- 
ated to stir the hearts of the pupils, and increase almost to a boundless 
extent their appreciation of, and a natural and legitimate love for, the great 
country which they can call their own. 
3. In this connection it may be proper to call attention to the practical 
lessons of patriotism so easily given in the celebration of special anniver- 
sary days. Independence Day, Washington’s Birthday, and the dates of 
important events like Lexington, Bunker Hill, the battle of New Orleans, 
Commodore Perry’s victory on Lake Erie, Gettysburg, Appomattox, fur- 
nish opportunities for valuable lessons in patriotism. It is scarcely neces- 
sary at this late day to call attention to the importance of having the 
American flag float from the top of every schoolhouse in the land. On 
all patriotic occasions that flag, which is at once an emblem of freedom 
and an epitome of our history, which indicates by its thirteen stripes and 
forty-four stars the autonomy of our government—this flag floating in the 
breeze inevitably conveys lessons of strong patriotic sentiment and love of 
country to the hearts of all children. On these occasions, too, if the les- 
sons from the historic page are enforced by recitations and readings culled 
‘rom the vivid pictures and eloquent utterances of our great authors, such 
as Washington and Jefferson, Webster, Clay, and Lincoln, the mental 
affect is greatly strengthened. 
4. In the lower grades of the grammar school, instruction should be 
given from time to time in the simpler elements of our governmental 
machinery. Almost every State publishes in some form a manual of the 
legislature. . This manual generally contains the State Constitution, and 
frequently the Constitution of the United States ; a list of the State offi- 
cials, including the executive, legislative, and judicial departments; the 
rules of the House and of the Senate ; a description of the several grades 
of State Courts, with the times and places where they are held ; a list of 
counties and county institutions, and, in some cases, townships and their 
officers. This manual can usually be obtained by teachers who are inter- 
ested in this subject, and from it can be drawn most important lessons 
concerning the duties of citizens and the institutions and forms of our 
government. 
If it were in a New England State the first lesson would naturally be 
apon the township and its officers, mentioning the particular names of the 
officers in the town in which the school is located : and the teacher can