They sang it with a fervor that stirred Virginia’s soul.
Vassar took the chair as presiding officer and directed the exercises, Billy acting as his chief lieutenant to Virginia’s continuous amusement.
“Now, children, give me the cornerstone of the American nation—let’s get that in place first. Now everybody! All together!”
From the crowd came a shout that stirred the big flags in the ceiling:
“ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL!”
Again he wrote it on the blackboard and asked them to repeat it.
They did it with a will.
“Now, children,” he said, “I’ve a distinguished artist here today who gives us this valuable hour of his useful life to draw a picture on the board. Watch him closely and don’t forget the message.”
With quick, sure stroke the cartoonist drew a wonderful symbolic Stairway of Life for the American child.