Eleventh Glimmer: Education’s Dream

When the curtain is raised, the stage is almost in darkness, only the light of Education, from the lamp hung near the front, streams across the stage. A searchlight should be arranged to suggest the brightening of Education’s light, turning the glimmer into a broad gleam. Into this bright light march those who are a part of Education’s dream. All the characters of the past, those who took part in previous glimmers, should be grouped in the background—the Past looking toward the Future. The procession—Education’s dream—carry banners showing who they are. As they march, they sing.

Order of Procession

1. Leader, carrying American Flag.

2. Kindergartens, first a girl and boy, each carrying something to suggest their work. After them marches a third child with a banner on which is printed: “Kindergarten—From 4 to 6.”

3. The Elementary Grades:

Some of above carry books and samples of work, showing that there is no lack of books and materials provided; others carry Indian clubs, dumb-bells, footballs, etc., showing that the physical welfare of the child is considered.

After the elementary grades marches a boy bearing a banner on which is printed: “Elementary Schools—From 6 to 12.”

Then follow the pupils representing the higher schools. Each group carries objects suggesting its special school activities.

4. The Junior High School—From 12 to 15.

5. The Classical High School—From 14 to 19.

6. The Technical High School—From 14 to 19.

7. The Commercial High School—From 14 to 19.

8. College—From 18 to 22.

9. Extension School—From 18.

10. Americanization—For all.

As they march they sing.

PROCESSIONAL: HYMN OF FREEDOM

(Tune: “Stand up, stand up, for Jesus.”)

Unfurl the flag of Freedom,

Fling far the bugle blast

There comes a sound of marching

From out the mighty past.

Let every peak and valley

Take up the valiant cry,

Where, beautiful as morning,

Our banner cuts the sky.

Free-born to peace and justice,

We stand to guard and save

The liberty of manhood,

The faith our fathers gave.

Then soar aloft, Old Glory,

And tell the waiting breeze

No law but Right and Justice

Shall rule the seven seas!

The procession forms a tableau toward front of stage. The Leader with the flag stands in front. All banners held at the rear face audience. In the centre of the line of banners is a very large one bearing the legend:—

A Place for Every Child in the Public Schools
and
Every Child in the Public School

Curtain

Education and Any City appear before the curtain.

Education. And now, speak no more of the cost of education. Fear rather the cost of ignorance. Never yet has America failed to give, and to give generously, to the cause of Freedom. And through education comes perfect freedom. Uncounted millions were spent in the war to make the world safe for Democracy. Will America not gladly spend a tithe of those billions for peace and to make safe the democratic principles of this republic?

Were half the power that fills the world with terror,

Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts,

Given to redeem the human mind from error,

There were no need of arsenals and forts.

Nor will a plea of ignorance avail. I have shown you glimmers of the past. I have told you the needs of the present. I have given you a gleam along the pathway of the future. By its light you may find the right path, you may see to walk in it, you may arrive safely at the journey’s end. Up! follow the gleam!

As Education says, “Up! follow the gleam!” the lights are turned off. Education steps behind the curtain, her hand holding the light being withdrawn last, so that the gleam remains after she has “faded” from sight. During the moment of darkness, Any City resumes his chair, and when the lights are turned on, is seen, as in the Prologue, fast asleep.