The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-11-27
Flag Presentation.

School with handsome United States
flag. The Camp, headed by the French
town Cornet Band, matched from their
room on Bridge street, to the school
house, aud at P. NJ, the exercises be-
gan. The large room was filled and many
were unable to gain admission.
On behalf of the Trustees, Mr.. A. L.
Pierson presided, and introduced the
speakers.
Prayer was offered by Rev. ]. II. Bos-
well, after which the children Of the
school sang "The Star Spangled Banner, !"
and defamation ''Our National Flag, :"
was given by r. T. Wlmot.
Major r. NJ. j. Reed, of Philadelphia,
on behalf of Washington Camp then pre-
sented the flag to the school. He said:
The American flag is the only flag that
floats by the free will of the people-a
f1as that represents the wishes and the
hopes of free and united people, and is
an emblem of national uprightness, equal
ity, justice and liberty throughout the
world flag that welcomes from every
shore all who come to make themselves
one with us. Our growth as a nation has
been developed by foreign emigration.
And right here will say of the order
that l represent to-day, that it is not an
exclusive order. We desire that people
on the other side of the water shall make
this an asylum and home, but we desire
that they shall not use this asylum for the
purpose of tearing down our established
institutions.
That flag has been maintained by saeri-
fees, and it can in the future be main
tanned only by every man and woman do
ing his and her duty. Instead of flag
of thirteen stats We now have foriy-two.
Maintain this by following the example
of 1776. The flag as now used first float
ed at the battle of Saratoga and the sur
render of Burgoyne.
One of the principles of our Order is
the maintenance of the public schools.
We want them maintained so that every
body may send their children 10 the pub
lie schools. We say to everyone who
would try to destroy them, Keep your
hands off the public schools. We are or
gauized for this purpose. We don't care
anything about your politics, but we
NM nj In fa IN tnio n,,hf
school system. We desire TO maintain
this system in all its purity. II the poll
ticians will leave the public school alone,
and the freedom of the worship of God
alone, we will leave them alone.
| A color bearer in the late war got
ahead of the line, and the commander
ordered him to bring his colors back TO
the line, but the Sergeant said "No, bring
your line up TO the colors." And l will
say to the children, bring your school up
to the line, aud the line TO the colors.
You must listen to the advice OF your
teachers, study and strive to advance.
And whenever you see this flag as you
come up the hill, remember the blood and
life that have been given to preserve this
flag for you. Thousands and hundreds Of
thousands have sacrificed their lives for
that flag and what it represents. And
children, never pass wounded soldier
by with ndifference-legless or armless
and rough looking and poor-he has be-
como so for you aud your country. Re-
member the Golden rule.
now have the honor OF turning over
this flag TO the school, and hope that II
will fly at all times, and as you look up
on It do not forget the sacrifices, the toll,
the march, the battle and the blood that
it represents.
Mr.. A. L. Pierson said that on behalf
of the School Board he accepted this beau
tiful flag, and called upon Rev. VIM. Swan
to respond.
We can only give rough outline of
Rev. Mr.. Swans remarks. He said In
substance: For more than one hundred
years past this flag has waved over this
land as an emblem of truth, liberty and
equal rights. 1t waves over Christian
people. 1t is not sectarian, but Christian.
And true American liberty is not liberty
to do wrong-it is the right TO do the
right thing, and wherever that flag floats
ii means that.
Another idea it represents is Intelli-
gence-not mere machine-made knowl-
edge, but the intelligence that comes OF
free and honest thought. It also repre-
sents Education-not by the compression
of mind, but by its expansion not by
taking the mind and forcing II Tito a GER
tain channel, but by training II 10 logical
thinking and broad and just reasoning.
A nation that is educated In this broader
sense is called to perpetuate our institu-
lions.
The flag represents Christian country,
q country controlled by the grand idea OF
belief in God and belief 10 our RESPONSE
bility TO God. 1t does not represent sect,
but Christianity in its broader scope.
These are interviewer In our Constitution
and are significant.
The flag seems to speak of two worlds.
The stars represent heaven, its light and
beauty, and the stripes the parallel lines
of human endeavOr. God above-man
below.
II these ideas are true, whenever we
see the flag we must think of our two
fold duty to believe in God and recognize
and maintain the blessings he has given
us. In this land there is no place for an
atheist or an anarchist. Though SEEM
ingIy wide apart, they come together.
The one strikes at God and the other at
man. This country is no place for an
archy, bigotry, or sectarian control. 1t
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