The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-04-17


struggle they brought forth the good old
stars and stripes to the world as still the
emblem of Liberty and Equal Rights. But
it was not designed by Him who governs
all nations that 1t should rest undisturb-
ed. Again through Jealousy the mother
country sought its destruction, again
were found true and tired men, who
gave up their lives for the defense OF
this flag and again 1t was flung to the
world victorious banner. Victorious In
and for the right
Years of peace followed, but inssmuch
As we were not true to our boosted prin-
ciples Of liberty, and millions of men,
women. and chilren were In slavery,
greater sacrifice must be made, as liberty
can only be bought by paying the full
price. In 1861 there were those within
our own county who insulted this flag and
trampled In under their traitorous feet.
Then the men whom you see before you
to- day, the men who now compose the
Grand Army of the Republic went forth
20 defend the flag, and TO give their lives
10 save 1t II need be. They were boys
then, little older than some OF you. They
1T their homes, their parents, their
brothers and sisters, their teschers and
school mates, and after four long years
of strife brought the glorious old flag
rom the smoke of battle, a true emblem
Of Liberty, Equal Rights and National
Unity. A quarter of a century has pass
cd since then, look at those men now,
-oIne heals are sprinkled with gray, 9TH
ers are white with age, while others are
beginning to bow beneath the heavy hand
Of time yet in their hearts there exists
i love for that old flag which shall only
grow cold when the heart has ceased to
| beat.
here /. now class Of men who love
this flag as well as these men who com
pose the Grand Army, and whyl | will
iell you why. Beneath It's folds we
marched by day and by night, In storm
and In sunshine, 10 cold and heat, to
victory and defeat, around 1t we rallied to
protect 1t from the hands OF It's enemies,
uuder its folds we laid to rest In their last
long steep, our fallen comardes.
| Children as YOU enjoy your innocent
| sport on this beautiful play ground, and
lnder this flag. pause for few moments
aud look upon 1t and see II you clnnot
draw from 1t lessons which will last you
through life. This flag though silent will
peak to you things which you can un-
derstand IL you will but listen The field
If blue dotted with stars will teach you
that above there dwells Being who holds
this nation as In the hollow Of his hand
| The stripes of white will teach you to live
pure lives. The stripe of red will teach
you to perform all the duties of life with
fervency and zeal. And In the sympathy
IF all It's parts 1t will teach you obedience
and loyalty.
Soon, very soon we must turn the flag
over to your keeping and in few short
Int hnl h l>aa
~ and we shall have passed away. aud
you will take our places; your duties
then will be rs ours have been, to assist
in the sifiirs of the government sustain it
in all its noble undertakings, and per
chance be called upon to defend the flag
aga INST It's enemies as we have done; and
let me say TO you that If you would have
have good government, noble govern
ment, free government; a government
that God will protect and bless, you must
be patriotic, you must be self sacrificing
and brave, above all you must stand up
ior the right. "as God gives you to see
the right"
Teachers and scholars we present you
Ibis iiig-guard 1t as you would your
honor.
+. p. Cutii Eq member of the
School Committee in behalf of the School
10 response SAID
Mr.. Commander, and Veterans of the
Grand Army:
have been chosen,-I hardly know
why,--to receive from your hands this
beautiful gift. and In behalf OF these
schools to thank you for It,. If | was se-
lec,ed to perform this pleasant duty be
cause anu member of the School Com
tnittee, | could wish wiser choice had
been made from our number. There IL
one on our Committee who, lighting In
defense Of this flag, earned high rank
aud richly merited honors; and | cannot
help the feeling. while speak here, that
he could have responded on this occasion
mach more eloquently, and with more
fe,nug and appreciation.
| y" yet 1t is fitting that all the differ
ens generations should be represented
here to-day. You. veterans, belong to
y 'efation to whom the great conflict for
the integrity of the Union and the honor
~ hts flag, WAS 4 vivid reality. To you
as individuals. II was a grim expert
ence,-a part OF your lives burnt into
| your memory as with a red-hOt iron. To
me, on the other hand 1t Is but vague
dim recollection of childhood; while to
these children, gathered here to-day, 1t Is
only matter of book-lore, or Preside
story. And 50, this day. standing on this
middle ground, speaking for these schol.
ars and for their parents and teachers rs
well, thank you for this beautiful and
lifting gift, this loved emblem of our
Union, and of those priceless liberties, to
preserve and defend which you risked
your very lives. say fitting gift and
say 1t advisedly. For what object more
appropriate could you present to these
children than this symbol of their liber-
ties, which, every time they look upon its
stars and stripes, shall teach them les
son of patriotism. Patriotism should he
a part of education. 1t should be taught
in our homes and In our schools; aud no
system Of training youth should be deem
ed complete, none is complete, which
does not teach them love Of home, love
of country, love OF humanity, and love
Of God. Woe betide our country II the
day shall ever come (Which God forbid),
when the children Of the land shall cease
to honor this Tag, or shall learn to regard
with Indifference the Union which It gym
bolizes. And SO. once more, 10 behalf Of
those whom represent here to-day, l ex-
tend to you heartfelt thanks for this
tim ly and thoughtful remembrance.
And do more. To you. a. veterans
Of the most memorable conflict ever wag-
ed In behalf Of Liberty since the world
began, bring the grateful tribute of q
new generation. From your hands we
take this emblem, and, standing here be-
meath It's stars and stripee, we promise
you that We will not forget the shining
example Of your patriotism. This day 10
not far removed from the twenty NTH