XCIII.
OUR COUNTRY.
Boys and girls, we are all American citizens, the last one of us. This is our country, as much as it is the country of any other race, and we should love it and fight for it as our fathers have loved, fought and died for it on many a battlefield. We may be the descendants of Africans, but we are citizens of the United States. This is our home—our country. Let us believe it, in spite of what some foolish people say. Therefore I am going to give you one or two sentiments which you should learn early in life in order to stimulate your patriotism.
1. May the honor of our country be without stain.
2. May the glory of America never cease to shine.
3. May every American manfully withstand corruption.
4. May reverence for the laws ever predominate in the hearts of the American people.
5. The sons and daughters of America, may their union be cemented by love and affection, and their offspring adorn the stations they are destined to fill.
6. May the growth of the American union never be prevented by party spirit.
7. The boys of America, may they be strong and virtuous, manly and brave.
8. The girls of America, may they prove to be such in heart and life as will make them worthy mothers of a strong and noble race.
9. Health to our president, prosperity to our people, and may Congress direct its endeavors to the public good.
10.—