The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-31

THE PLATFORM.
and teach them. while yet they are with
them, to reverence and defend it.
This flag Of stripes and stars represents
to us all that is dear to the heart of the
patriot. 1t is the emblem of our nation
ality. of all our free institutions, of liberty
and law. 1t commentaries in language
unWriJten, but in thoughts that leap from
its cleaning folds and burn within our
hearts the early struggles of the revOlu-
ton: the triumphS Of our republican form
Of government for more than a century;
the achievements, the progress and pros
perity-the sum of all things that have
COnSplred to make us great and powerful
as a nation. And finally, we read upon its
sacred folds III mute, but thrilling words,
the story Of that five years War-the blood,
the tears, the hopes and fears that culmi-
mated at last in the sublimest victory that
| freedom ever gained.
School children, of Wichita, we be-
! queath to you the keeping of this flag.
| Learn to revere and love it, Thousands
of lives and millions of treasure have been
spent III preserving it. May ii inspire in
! your young hearts Il fervid love of your
| country and its laws. May it instill into
! you such a sentiment of patriotism and
! courage as viii prompt you to smite the
! traitor who would dishOnOr it by plotting
| against the constitution or laws of our
! land. Let II be to you an emblem of
! obedience to rightfUl authority, whether
/ to parents, to teachers, or to country. He
who in childhood learns to obey may be
/ depended upon when his country calls
! Good citizens make good soldiers, and good
soldiers make good citizens.
/ Greece attained her martial glory in
/ the olden time by the early training Of her
/ children and culJivating in them the love
| Of country.
/ The result Of this education echo down
/ the centuries from the battle fields Of
! Marathon, Platea and ThemOphylae
\ generation of patriots is coming forth
from the public schools of America today
The sons and daughters of the brave men
who bore this flag in victory through the
awful carnage of the last war, have learn
ed from their fathers the story Of that
heroic sacrifice. Their shoOl mates have
| learned it from them.
When old Hamilcar, the carthagenian,
who had spent many years in fighting
the Romans was about to start upon one
of his capaigns against them in Spain he
took his son, lad nine years Of age,
who afterwards became he great Hanni-
bal but before his departure he led him to
the altar and there required him to take
an oath of eternal enmity to Rome.
Let the children of Wichita in this sol
emu hour, as they receive this flag, record
glorious cause and of eternal enmity to
those who would dishOnOr or destroy it.
As these flags are one by one presented
let the boys and girls of each school. by
the act OF receiving the fag through their
representative, consider themselves en-
listed as soldiers for its prOtectiOn-littIe
soldiers of the republic And when the
hands of the noble men and women who
bestow upon you today this beautiful and
priceless emblem shall have mouldered
into dust may its glorious folds still CLEAN
in the sunlight and wave in the welcoming
breeze Of free Kansas above your favored
heads.
Mir. VI. W. Levy, president of the school
board, in behalf OF the school board in re
Spouse, said:
Mr. Chairman Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of the board of education Of
the city OF Wichita, it affords me great
pleasure TO accept these flags; emblems Of
the unity OF our nation. every star. every
stripe, bearing as il does the history of our
greatness. Intended as they are to fix in
the minds and hearts of children. educated
under the grandeSt school system ever de
vIsed by man, a lasting veneratiOn Of its
sacred folds and a love and patriotic devo-
ton. Tor the lands made sacred by the
blood shed in four wars TO perpetuare the !
institutions Of country Our nations .
stability and foundation Is based on its /
system of free schools. No more fitting
time could have been adopted TO make this /
Offering from the flag defenders than the I
annual gathering OF the remaining /.
veterans of the late war. who meet 10 do +.
homage the memory OF their deceased com
radeS. the nation defenders, who AT their (
COuntry'S call went forth TO offer their ser
vices and their lives. that no star might be .
erased or even furnished IN the azure field .
OF the proud emblem that today floats over F,
b.. COO 600 Of freemen.
They meet today, not alone, but with .
thousands Of loyal. liberty loving citizens I
who hail them as surviving heroes Of the .
most gigantic war the world ever witness
ed. and joining hands they bring their
richest blossoms to bedeck with garlsnds .
the last resting places OF those who. having .
become weary. have grounded their arms
and taken perpetual furlough IN their .
celestial homes.
Citizens and soldiers vie with each other
10 keep green the memory Of our warriors +.
v no have passed beyond the bUZie stNnd. .
where contention ana raucOr. hatred and .
strife l. no more They are ma-SEalled OF (
the golden shore. strewing heaven born /
flowers on the graves Of the men who be
held the folds OF this flag when locking .
through the smoke OF battle and gTlnly /
smiled as they first assured themselves Il .
was still there, ana taking one last look,
died IN its defense.
From the earliest history. banner OF flag
has been symbol OF unity OF actioQ and /