The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-07-09
ORDER OF PROCESSION :

Angela bodAlty.
Children me- q I; the InisSsss ss SodHiity.
Gsnsismsn Of the Conerseation.
! -- John KavanAugh and G. Cummings.
The PROCESSION marched by way of Capitol
e-street to B4rish street, thence to the grove in
rear Of the Convent, whore @ platform had
sbeen erected. The platform was occupied by
tha different sodalities, the United States asg
and bearer, Miss E. Doherty, who was chosen
TO crown the flag, and thirteen little girls
dressed In appropriate costumes, to represent
&he thirteen original States. The crown bear
-aRs were Misses Mary Flanery and Sarah Ed.
wards. A patriotic song was then sung. The
crowning OF tho United States flag was the
next feature, Miss e. Doherty making the fol-
lowing GRAFTON:
Ladies and Gentlemen Highly do I appreoi-
= ate the honor conferred upon me on this bright
GROWN the banner, which has for so many years
waved over the heads Of all the brave and no.
ble Of our fair land.
What heart among Us will not feel thrill of
pride, when we remember the glory which this
,atAndard has brought to our country
Let rs pass over ell that would cause Us to
snosion which would be unworthy Of this
great day. Let us consider the struggle of our
MHs-fathers-how they bravely pressed for ward
amid trials and hardehips, at which the very
heart sickens, determined, cost what 1t would,
shat this tri.colored flsg should nobly be un-
furled over 1.-THE land Of the free and the home
Of the brave" Witness the labors Of Washing
ton, the great "father Of his country" Through
how macy reverses did he not press onward
Then there were our brave Putnam, Warren,
Montgomery, Adams, Lee, Marion, and o host
Of others, all Of whom devoted their nob!est ef-
forts to the cause of liberty.
HWashington. Jefferson, franklin. Sherman,
Livingston, Adams and Lee could preside over
the grand festival which is now being celebrat-
oms would heave with emotions Of gratitude to
J; God who has preserved the Republic during
the past century. It would recall to their
lninda the 6rst Grand festival OF this nature
the United Colonies were irstdeolared free and
independent States.
Oh, what exultant joy must have filed the
Ia the month Of July, 1877, he beheld for the
frat time, the Star SpaBgled Banner nobly
Z waving over our beloved land.
This Centennial Feast should oause every
! Catholic heart to thrill with special emotions
Of gratitude. The Constitution Of the country
provides for the free exercise of religion and
zee how this provision has conducted to the
Apropagation of onr holy faith.
From the Atlantic washed coasts to the Pa
ciflc girt shores of California and Oregon the
Roman Catholic faith 10 preached and our Sa-
ornamental Lord has his devoted adorers. Really
then have we not cause to rejoice on this hum
dredth anniversary OF the declaration OF lnde"
spendence
Truly the freedom guaranteed to rs by the
public has not always been inviolate, but we
! are willing that by cones should be by-gones.
We will Voluntarily drink of Lethe's hmpid
waters that " whatever may cause moments
aaduess in this glorious centennial morn may
be consigned to oblivion.
Yes, let rs glory in our country. Let Us be
faithful to its cause. Let us never consent TO
see its glory dwindle away, or to nee it lose
/ h. oh ayatr hanh halH the nations I
Let England boast of being the sun whose
& bright beams enlighten and iruotify the remot-
eat CORNERS of the earthi Let Franco claim tn
be the moon, whose mild, stcady and cheering
rags are the delight OF all nations, consoling
fhom in darkness and making their dTeAriness
beAutifull But our United States has proved
and moon stand stil yes the war Of the revo-
lntion proves to England that the noble sons
eof America spurn the yoke of British tyranny.
And FRANCE too on more than one occasion has
will nobly defend their rights.
We Catholics have the greatest cause for
gloryiDg in America, Columbus, the great dis
ooverer of the new World; was Catholic. But
for his deep enthusiasm, his humble persevsr-
anco, his meek and gentle remcnStr0nces, the
yaot lAndB of America might yet be unknown.
Tho first aot of our hero after he landed on the
soil of America was 20 kneel and kiss the earth
1esuTninR thanks 70 the great being whom the
Roman Catholics had taught him to adore. His
next not was to erect o GROSS, before which the
y
cn his vOy age offered up q sacrihce Of thauks
RiVing.
Oh, then, let Ms rejoice. Lst us give thsnkg
10 the Lord whose mercy endureth forever, and
NOW, oh noble banner, accept thy crown. MAJ
s., . token Of the esteem We bear for thee, b
60 thee an emblem of the glory which ",
hambly hope and pray that thou wilt bring K
Gs1 fair land.
an join in sAying ''may God bless and prOteO
our dear country
The Gag was then crowned with q very bean
tifal wreath. Mr.. Il. sPengleE, Jr., responded
- fnllows.
IN behalf of tho ladies and gentlemen and o
yself, who have listened With pleasure &
11EE eloquent EemHEka, We beg leave to tende
- yOn ouE collective thanks for the pleasin
sAnneE In which You have entertained III
fgay the beNabifGl Gag which you have crOwpe
ever dpah over us in the Runshine Of peace, an
"A the smoke Of battle be kept flying 20 the end
Nay s1sO she anniversary OF our Independence
which we are oalobrRting, be renewed each wiz
--..cAa. ...l.-.n-- .l-l lna nrnnaanr and n-olr Q