Evening journal., 1890-04-12
PRESENTATION OF A FLAG.
The Patriotic orsev Sons of America ts
School Ne. 20.

A silk flag presented to public school
No 20, Tenth and Spruce streets, yester-
day afternoon by Camps. Nos. and .,
Patriotic Order Sons of America.
The presentation ceremonies were held
ia the main hall of the school on the Hrst
floor. The pupils stood during the pre-
sentation
The FIRST exercise was the singing of
"America" by the pupils of the school.
John Roberts read selection called Our
Banner number of small children gave
a selection entitled patriotic Senti-
ments" so well that it was enthusiastic
cally applsuded; "The Star Spangled
Banner" was sung delightfully."- by Miss
Mary Thielman and Miss Ella Knowles.
B. F. jackson, on behalf Of the order,
presented the flag to the school. In his
speech of presentation he said: 'It Is a
pleasant duty to present this flag to the
school, The order which furnished this
flag is band of patriotic men, who
formed this order to do all they could to
preserve our institutions in purity and
integrity. Among these things are the
purity of the ballot, the liberty of the
citizen and the maintainance of the pub
lie schools, which are the foundation Of a
free government He read from the
principles of the order 80 point out its
patriotic purposes. 1t has 300, 900 mem
bers. and is steadily Increasing.
Il wish to call attention to two
thoughts: First-What this flag repre-
sents; Second-What it has cost. 1t
represents the power and sovereignty of
the United States and is the emblem of
this great Republic. 1t floats over the
capitol at Washington ano also over the
capitol of every state 1t represents the
right OF equality of all people in all
things, civil, political and religious. We
have no bosses, no masters A free
government can rest only on universal
intelligence, hence, q public school is a
necessity. Every son and daughter of
the Republic must be educated to appre-
ciste the advantages of liberty and be
able to bear his or her part of the duties.
The Bible was the first corner stone on
which the first public schools were
founded, and the principle continues until
the present time. and l hope will con.
tinue in every school; not to teach any
sectarian doctrine, but the pure, uncor-
rupted Word of Divine Truth. Take
this flag and cherish it while life lasts.
It represents so much and cost so much,
that it should be our most precious
legacy.
"Second-Whatt the flag has cost-who
is able to compute the cost Of the princi-
pies and institutions which this fag
representation the world was in dark
ness, superstition and degradation; when
few saw the way. few banded them
selves together and determined to DO
free. The history of their struggles
through persecution, fire and blood until
they gained a foothold in this country,
tells what our flag cost. By this 1t will
be seen that the Bible lies
at the foundation of our liberty.
Abner P. Bailey a member of the
Board of Education. accepted the flag by
q neat speech. addressed particularly to
the pupils. The scholars gave an exer-
else, "Hurrah for Our Flag" Robert G.
Fraim made short address; Lesley Nc
Vey recited "0ur Flag, and DR.. James
A, Morgan, 3 member OF the Board of
Education, made short address. The
presentation ceremonies closed with the
singing OF Rally Round the Flag" by
the school. During the singing the
children marched around the flag, thence
to their rooms.