The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-06-25
EVERYBoDY'S LOSS THIS me.
Detroit Tribunel
coRhAM HIGH SCHOOL.
Pre- sentatIon Of flag-addrasses by
Judge Waterman and ex-Cov.
Robbie.

Oh the Gorham High School building, al
three o'clock. The school children of the
village were fully represented, and the
crowd completely filled the space in front Of
the building A fine flag staff had beer
placed in position in front of the schoo
building, its top reaching far above the bel
fry. The occasion was the presentation Of
a flag from Judge John A. Waterman, to
district /. town of Gorham. DR.. O'Neil r.
Straw, agent of the district, was president
of the meeting. The exercises were opened
by an earnest and impressive prayer by the
Rev. John Cobb. after which, children sang
the "Star Spangled Banner" under the di.
rection of Prof. Charles K. Rinkley.
The music was fine and inspiring DR.
Straw with few we'll chosen words intro.
nuced Judge Waterman, who made an elo.
quent and able presentation speech. Judge
Waterman spoke as follows:
Mr.. President, Teachers and Pupils of the
Gorhom High School, Neighbors and
Friends:
The custom of placing the national flag
upon our school houses in the United States
is a very pleasant and laudable one. 1t
touches quickly responsive chord in the
loyal hearts of the people, and it is crafty
ing to know that the observance Of it is
rapidly extending throughout the country.
In lands where Church and State are, one,
1t is common thing to see the flag Of the
country flying from the roofs or towers of
al interdst; and considering the relation of
Church and State there, one does not see
anything homogeneous or irreverent in such
a custom.
Ii in those instances there is propriety in
having the edifces consecrated to divine
SQrvlna nnhnld M
die allegiance to, an earthly sovereign
surely 1t Is appropriate that, among people
who, simultaneously with freedom of religi
Gus worship established the free schools OF
New England, education should be identified
with the State, and their mutual rights and
mutual dependence be publicly recognized
and honOred.
And what more significant recognition is
needed than placing our schools and school
houses under the flag of the Union, and
ports
That this school district mny keep abreast
of the times in this matter, and literally
show its colors," 1t is with great pleasure
on the part on the donor, and sincere de
sire. also, to aid in Quickening and fOsteripl
patriotic and loyal spirit among our bo t,t
and girls, that this flag is now presented *
the district, for the use of a school, in tn,
prosperity of which we cannot fail to b,
deeply interested in the future as we hav,
But what is our national flag? Wha
| special meaning has 1t? And what are oul
duties in relation to IL?
Looking at II as a mere material object, Of
as work OF art, there is nothing very elab
crate or remarkable about it.
There are on it no curiously wrought fig
ures Of dragons, elephants or lions, double
headed eagles, serpents, or other beasts
birds or reptiles, such as are to be found or
many of the flags of other nations. On the
contrary 1t is extremely plain, modest ans
unassuming; simply few strips of bunting
arranged in alternate colors of red an6
white, with field of blue in one corner, mp
on which is group OF white stars.
In what then do its beauty, its charm, Its
magical power over the heats of the people
consistp
Why was it, when in January 1861 the
Star Of the West, with this flag at hel
masthead, sailing into Charleston harbor
was fired upon and driven out to sea again
why, when few weeks later General Dix
as Secretary of the Treasury, wrote that ia.
nous order. ''if any one attempts to haul
down the American flag, shoot him on the
spot; why, when, on the 14th of April
1861. the flag that a few days before had
been hoisted over Fort Sumter by Major
Anderson, after 9 solemn conservation of il
by prayer. (the little group of officers and
men kneeling and reverently bowling their
uncovered heads during that service) was
lowered and sadly and tenderly borne away,
by the captivating garrison as they left the
fort: why, in May, 1862, the Union flag,
placed by loyal hands on the United States
Mint in New Orleans, then just captured
and under mortal law. was insultingly torn
down and literally stripped into shreds in
the streets OF the city 0hough followed by
swift and summary punishment of the per.
petrator of that foul deed) why, l repeat,
was IT, that upon these and many other oc'
casions during the war of the rebellion, the
hearts of the loyal people of the land were
so deeply stirreds Why those outbursts OF
patriotic feeling that no human power could
repress, IN view OF the assaults and insults
and humiliation Of the flag we loved and
revered?
And why, when the stars and stripes
waved once more over the Capitol in Rich
mond. when In April, 1866, the identical flag
that just four years before had been lowered
sumter by its brave defender, Anderson
when at Appomattox the rebel flag went
down Cet us trust forever and the old flag
the Union flag, resumed its rightful place as
the national ensign, mot a stripe erased OF
pointed nor single star obscured;" why
did the hearts OF the people thrill and swell
almost to bursting, the pent up emotions
find expression in sObs and tears, as we'll as
in mutual congratulations, and the country
from ocean to ocean re5ound with "clang OF
bell and roar of gunsY
Because the flag was symbol. 1t repre-.
to the American citizen
The cross. originally repusive object. is
the chosen emblem of Christianity; and all
the hottest associations, all the hopes, prom.
ises, duties trials and rewards the Christian
religion holds out to man, are suggested and
stimulated by that sacred figure.
So our flag, however plain or unassumiDg
In itself, Is the emblem of national sOver-
eighty, and is symbolical of all the nations
greatness, goodness, wealth, progress and
power. Ii should also remind us most i'm.
pressively Of all that IL cost to attain, and
and what is yet to be required of its citizens
to preserve, Its present high estate. Wher-
ever, let me say particularly to the pupils OF
this school, wherever the flag is borne, upon
the high seas or in foreign ports, it is no
tice to the world that it is the representative
OF our country. 1t silently asserts the right
Of every law-abiding citizen of the United
States to respect and protection, and as
silently pledges the whole military and ma
val power OF the nation, with its vast wealth
and unlimited material wealth behind it, to
maintain and defend those rights, whenever
and wherever unjustly assailed.
But remember that great privileges grant
ed imply corresponding duties on the part of
those receiving tkem.
Remember that "rallying round the fag''