Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-09

| but in the history OF our country. New forh
did not succeed in retaining the seat OF Nations
| Government, though she made liberal provi
| sions for the assembling OF the First Congress
in the expectation that the Congress might find
its permanent ho:Ee here. But though you lost
| that which you coveted, 1 think the represent
| atives here of all the States Will agree that il
was fortunate that the first inauguration OF
| Washington took place in the State and
! the City Of New York. for where in our country
could the centennial Of the event have been SC
worthily celebrated as here: What seaboare
| offered so magnificent bay on which 10 display
cur merchant and naval marine: What city
offered thoroughfares so magnificent or peo-
pie so great or so generous as New YorRAas
poured out to-day to celebrate that event:
l have received at the hands OF the committee
who have been charged with the details, oner-
GUS, exacting and too often unthanEful, OF this
demonstration, evidence Of their confidence
in my physical endurance. Laughter I
must also acknowledge still one other oOliga-
ton. The committee having IN charge the ex-
ercises OF this event have also given me an
other evidence or their confidence, which has
been accompanied with some embarrassment.
AS have noticed the progress of this banquet
it seemed TO me hat each OF these speakers
had been made acquainted with his theme be-
fore he took his seat at the banquet and that
alone wa. left to make acquaintance with ny
theme when sat down at the table. pre-
ferred TO substitute for the official title, which
is upon the programme, that familiar and fire.
side expression "Our Country"
1 congratulate you to-day as one OF the in
structive and interesting features of this occa-
sion that these great thoroughfares, dedicated
to trade, have closed their doors and covered
up the insignias Of commerce that your great
exchanges OF commerce have closed and your
citizens given themselves up 20 the observance
OF the celebration in which we are particpat-
ing. believe that patriotism has been inten-
sifed in many hearts by what we have wit
messed to-day; l believe that patriotism has been
placed into the higher and holier fame in many
hearts. The bunting with which you have covered
your walls, these patriotic inscriptions must 90
down and the wage and trade be resumed again.
Here may not ask you TO carry those inscrip-
lions that now hang on the walls into your
homes, into the schools Of your city, into all
your great NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. where chill
dren are gathered and teach them that the eye
Of the young and the old should look upon that
flag as one OF the familiar glories Of every
American. Have we not learned that no stocks
and bonds nor land is our country! 1t is a spir-
itual thought that's in our minds. 1t is the flag
and what it stands for. 1t is the ireside and
the home. 1t is the thoughts that are in our
hearts born of the inspiration which comes
with the story OF the flag OF martyrs to liberty
1t is the graveyard into which common
country has gathered the unconscious deeds of
those who died that the thing might live which
we love and call our country rather than any
hing that can be touched or seen.
Let me add thought due TO our countrys
future Perhaps never have we been SO well
equipped for war upon land as now, and we
have never seen the time when our people were
more smitten with the love of peace. To ele-
vate the morals of our people, TO hold up the
law that sacred thing which, like the
ark OF God of old, may not be touched by irrev-
erent hands but frowns upon any attempt to
detrone Its supremacy, to unite our people
in all that makes home comfortable. as well as
TO give our energies in the direction of material
advancement-this service may we render and
out of this great demonstration let us draw les
sons to inspire US to consecrate ourselves anew
to the law and service of our country.