Parade of New England Boy Scouts
Secretary Short Tells of Plans for Big
Patriots Day Spectacle
Secretary Edwin Randolph Short of the provisional committee of the New England Boy Scouts announces that plans are well under way to hold a big Patriots Day Spectacle in Boston, where it is estimated that from 15,000 to 20,000 lads from every part of New England will parade through the streets.
Preliminary reports received by Secretary Short have made him most enthusiastic over the parade. "There has never been anything like it in the United States," he declares. "Rhode Island alone will send a thousand boys. It will be an imposing and instructive spectacle. Behind the advance police guard and band, will march file upon file of well-trained lads. And one in each eight will carry pennants of different kinds. The only arms the boys will carry will be the regulation Boy Scout staff and only the Scout Masters—men over 21 years of age—will wear swords. Each troop will carry a United States flag as well as a troop flag of their own design.
The staff of the Commander will be well worth watching, for the present indications are that there will be prominent clergymen, of all denominations, as well as well-known Boston and suburban business men represented.
SCOUT-MASTER ENTERS CONTEST
Ernest W. Gay, Scout-master of seventy boys in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts, has entered the voting contest of the Boston American and is working hard to come out a winner.
He has been connected with the movement ever since it was started in America, and has been an enthusiastic worker in the cause.
Mr. Gay is vice-chairman of the New England Boy Scouts and his work has always been very commendable.
New England boys should send in their votes to him within two weeks after they appear in the American as they are useless after that period.
Send votes to Mr. Gay, 175 Pearl Street, Somerville, Massachusetts.
MAXIMS FOR SCOUTS
No scout wilfully kills an animal for the mere sake of killing, unless it is a harmful creature.
By continually watching animals in their natural state one gets to like them too well to shoot them. The whole sport of hunting animals lies in woodcraft of stalking them, not in the killing.
A dog is the most human of all animals and, therefore, is the best companion for a man. He is always courteous, and always ready for a game—full of humor and very faithful and loving.
We are very much like bricks in a wall—we each have our place, though it may seem a small one in so big a wall. But if one brick
First:—I believe in the American Boy Scout movement because it is for boys. Boys are worth while (girls also). The future belongs to them and they belong to the future. They are the Nation's best assets. We cannot do too much for them in a way that will help them to do the best for themselves. Boys' improvement is the aim of this movement, nothing else. Whatever can be done for their health, education, character, self-knowledge, needs to be done while they are boys (and girls). The nation and the homes of the nation will reap the benefit.
Second:—Because it is for boys as boys, without distinction. Material condition, creed, race, are ignored in behalf of the natural democracy of boyhood. The only things barred is moral or physical contagion. American life needs this mix-up. There are enough snobs to the square mile always. This mingling of all sorts and conditions of boys under wise control, will help to lessen the spirit of caste and to create the spirit of vital unity. "That they all may be one," has not lost its value as a working ideal among boys or men.
Third:—Because it appeals to boys at a point of natural interest—takes hold of their aptitudes for out-of-door things and controls them for health or efficiency. The dangerous hours are overruled for good. Idleness becomes industry; play is shot through with purity and purpose; wastes are turned into values for the up-building of the boy.
Fourth:—Because it hitches the boy's wagon to a star. No ideals and low ideals are labeled as "unworthy of the American Boy." Chivalry, Honor, Unselfishness, Kindness (without pay) are a part of the teaching of the Scouts. "Is there anything in it for me?" is changed to "Allow me, please." The spirit of courtesy is not overworked among us. Self-interest is too much with us. It is a blight upon our life. The antidote is in part such teaching as this movement furnishes for the inspiration of boy life.
Fifth:—Because it helps the boy to know his civic duty and his civic opportunity. The recognition of authority is not overmuch insisted upon in home life today. We are easy. Results are showing that disturb those who knew that, without obedience to law, there can be no liberty. Law, order, obedience, discipline, are important parts of the Scout idea—civic duty is thus enforced.
The civic opportunity as emphasized by the Scouts is best presented by a tow-path boy, who became our second martyred President, in the following sentence:—"There is no American boy, however poor, however humble, orphan though he may be, but that if he has a clear head, a pure heart, a strong arm, may not rise through all grades of society until he becomes the crown, the glory, the pillar of the State."