The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-03-10
PORTLAND LATIN SCHOOL.
Presentation of a Flag at City Hall
Yesterday.
Stirring Address by the Rev. Or.
Dalton.

The galleries and all the space allowed to
spectators ON the floor of City Hall, were
filled with the lady and gentlemen friends of
the Latin School Cadets yesterday afternoon,
who came to witness the presentation of a
flag to the company, and the evolutions of
the youthful soldiers The lads under their
military instructor. Lieut. Leary, U. S. A.,
and their captain, Strout, made fine APP
pearance as they marched into the hall at
p. M, in their neat gray uniforms and white
cross belts, numbering between thirty-five
and forty members After being drawn up
in line facing the stage, prayer was offered
by Rev. Mr.. Bayley, and then Rev. DIR. Dali
ton presented the flag, which is the gilt OF
lady friend of the company.
In his address Dr. Dalton spoke of Napol-
cons address to his soldiers when he told
them that forty centuries looked down on
them from the pyramids, that had seen all
the events that had TRANSFERRED IN tile Egyp-
tian empire, and symbolzed them as the
most characteristic of all Egyptian monu-
ments that had come down to them to stand
for light and civilization. This Is the idea
of national flag. 1t is the symbol Of ma
tional sentiment and national life; all that is
characteristic of the nation and therefore
held in the highest reverence by the nation.
Among the ancents the Romans developed
this idea most fully Wherever the Roman
standards went the soldiers ever dared to
follow The Roman eagle tapped its wings
| in the forests on the Danube, scared over the
plains of Parthia, and lowered over the
SHOWS of Dacia. On their return to Rome
they were followed by the princes, generals
and mighty monarchs Of great nations, often
bound in iron chains. Thus the Roman ca
gle symbolized the extension of empire by
| force; by force acquired and by force re-
| tanned
The modern nations of Europe claim TO
| have advanced beyond Roman ideas; Eng
land in particular. Her national flag waves
as a symbol of sovereignty over one-ffth of
| the human race, wherevery it Is unfurled.
| In the language Of the immortal Webster her
drum beat reverbrates around the world
| But England's empire was to a great ex-
tent gained and retained by force of arms,
although her rule may be called the most
| equitable of that of all European nations.
| Our flag is a symbol of American ideas,
which we believe to be asfar in adj
vance of those of Europe as England
are in advance of those of ancient Rome.
| Our territory has for the most part been en-
| larged by negotiation and purchase. We
| have no array of classes against the masses.
| Our flag stands for the education of the peo-
| pie, and the entire people; for equal rights
to all men. 1t does not stand for foreign
conquest, Some Europeans have an idea
| when we are full grown we shall be disposed
! to attack them, but we shall do nothing OF
the kind. Our pursuits are the arts OF peace,
and not those of war. But If attacked by
foreign combinations our people will main.
tain the honorlof our glorious flag, flag that
had history before that of the present flag
of Britain; flag born in 1777, that was car
ried successfully. through the Revolution and
waved in triumph at Yorktown; that was
| hoisted by John Paul Jones on the Bon
| H0mnae Richard and by him made historical,
and that reflected still more glory in lsubse-
quent naval battles. To maintain its honor,
tad Atafn
which it .symbolizes. fought the Rebellion
| and carried it in triumph through every
| bloody battlefield. 1t is now the symbol Of
our unbroken Union, loved and honored by
| all. Although there is some danger threaten
| ing 1t if something is not done to stem the
new class of immigration seeking these
| shores. But if any one should attempt to
| pull down this flag, in the words that are now
| historic, s'shoot him on the spot" and if ouI
shores should be invaded by a foreign foe the
and by which it has been upheld, will surely
| suffice to repel any possible invader.
| The hope of the future is in our young
men, represented here today by you, young
gentlemen, who constitute the Cadets of the
Portland Latin School, Doubtless the mill
tary training you are now receiving will be
| an advantage to you in every respect, and
especially tend to develop the sentiment of
| patriotism. This flag you. will receive with
| sentiments of affection and reverence. You
ality, will preserve it untarnished, and trans
nit ii to your successors, who, in time, we
trust, will hand it down to theirs, with this
sentiment ever present in their hearts:
"The Star Spangled Banner, o long may it wave,
Ger the land of the free and the home of the
brave"
Capt. Strout responded briefly, but in a
| few manly words, for the company.
The flag is of silk, large and very hand
some. 1t bears the name of the corps, and
| is mounted on handsome staff.
/ After the presentation the company was
inspected by their commandant. Then came
drill. showing the proficiency of a selected
squad in the bayonet exercise. After that
there was an exhibition drill by the entire
company. conducted by Capt. Strout. The
boys showed that they are making good pro-
gress in military exercise, their work being
very creditable both to themselves and their
instructor. The teachers at the Latin School
are to be congratulated on haylnga fine body
of pupils,