The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-10
STARS AND STRIPES.
The Raising of the Flag Above
the Mercer School.
EXERCISES BY THE PUPILS.
Speeches by Colonel Langley, Senator
Kinnear. Rev. 8. A.. Bright and
Mr.. wilIiamson-Enthusi

An American flag was formally raised on the
| easion was gaia day for the pupils. number
| of the people living near had raised the money
| for the flag. Those who saw the wild enthus-
| iasm of the children yesterday had no doubt
| that the act was appreciated.
The exercises began at o'clock, but long be-
fore that time the space in front of the building
was filed with laughing, talking and shouting
children eager for the event They crowded the
rows of plank benches arranged for them in the
open air. Many of the girls had on their best
clothes, and were accordingly elated. Many,
too, wore rosettes badges of red,
white and blue, while some carried
small flags Quite a number of the holder boys
had climbed the trees around and swinging out
on the limbs, looked down on the throng and
jeered their enyious comrades. The open porch
was draped with flags, and there and on the
steps sat the teachers, members os the board of
education, the speakers, some Grand Army men
and parents OF the pupils.
As the hour appointed drew near, the excite
ment grew and the noise became louder, but
when Principal Charles Pagan tapped the bell
for order, there was instant silence. The first
number on the programme was the national
hymn, america" sung with much spirit.
Miss Mabel Ward, of the eighth grade, read an
interesting essay on the history OF flags. she
told how the Romans had adopted the eagle as
sumed its final form. After sketching briefly
the various flags of the early American
colonies. she closed with an account OF the
adoption OF the stars and stripes by the United
States She was followed by Paul Range, of the
same grade, who acclaimed american Flag"
the well-known piece OF patriotic verse, begin
ming
"When Freedom from her mountain height
Unfurled her banner to the air,
She tore the azure robe of night
And set the stars OF glory there"
Miss Eva Van Alinda had for her defamation
sour Flag" Miss Mexie King, an eighth grade
girl, recited barbara Frietchie" with unusual
ability, and then the exercises by the pupils
ended with the hearty chorus, "star Spangled
Banner"
The outside speakers aroused good deal of
interest, as was shown by the generous applause
and loud cheering they all received. Colonel J.
w. Langley came first, relating the manner in
which the Roman soldier used to take an oath
of allegiance, swearing by the standard
of the legion. Colonel Langley also
told how the flag is used to guide the soldier in
the fights and enables him to keep with his CON-
pany or regiment. The speaker said that the
flag of the Revolution represented liberty,
though in those days there not strong
feeling OF national unity. Later this sentiment
OF nationality grew; and finally the civil war
liberating the slaves made the flag a representa-
tive of equal rights for all. so now the flag
stands for three things, liberty, equal rights and
national unity. Colonel Langley told q number
of "reminiscences OF his experience during the
war. Thursday, he said, was by singular coin
cidence the twenty-ninth anniversary of the
first time he had seen the flag fired upon his
first actual battle, that of Perryville. The latter
part of the address was devoted to urging love
of country and of the flag.
Senator John R. Kinnear, the next speaker,
declared that none had greater love for the
old flag than the old soldier who had fought
and bled for it. There would be flag
floating over every schoolhouse in the state, and
the children must learn TO defend that flag
against all enemies, as the soldiers of the Union
had defended it in the days of the civil war.
Rev. S. Alonzo Bright, who followed, said
that the object OF having q flag on every school
was to inculcate in the heart of each boy and
girl love of the standard of his country. The
flag was q symbol of protection of the rights of
every American citizen. Wherever it floats it
would guard the person and the property of
Americans. Mr.. Bright related several thrilling
stories to illustrate the duty OF defending the
flag, and said that wherever it waves the citizen
is duty bound to follow. Mr.. John Williamson,
who lives near the school, and who helped raise
the money for the flag, warned the children
that they must never raise the has OF any other
country on the pole above the American.
Professor Frank J. Barnard, superintendent of
schools, made a brief and happy speech accept
ing the flag in the name of the board of educa-
ton ana of the teachers and pupils. Mr.. Bar
nard is thorough master of the fine art of
talking to children and his words were received
with cheers and applause.
Then came the exciting moment. A few
chords were struck on the piano and all began
singing:
o Columbia! the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine OF each patriots devotion,
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandates make heroes. assemble
Where Liberty's form staIs.s in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble
When borne by the red, white and blue!
When borne by the red, white and blue,
When borne by the red, white and blue;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble
When borne by the red, white ana blue!
Every face was lifted toward the pole on the
tower, and toward the rope which tapped in the
breeze. Then followed the second verse with
its chorus:
When war waged its wide desolation.
And threatened our land to deiorm,
The ark then OF freedoms foundation,
Columbia, rode safe through the storm;
With her Oar lands of victory around her,
, When so proudly she bore her brave crew,
| With her flag proudly floating before her
| The boast OF the red, white and blue!
The big gilt ball on the top of the pole seemed
| TO swell and sway before the straining eyes. as
| the strong young voices took up the last ins pir
ng stanza:
The Union, the Union forever!
| our glorious nation sweet HYMN;
| May the wreaths IL has worn never wither,
| Nor the stars OF its glory grow dim;
| MAY the service united nee sever.
| But they TO their colors prove true;
| The army and navy forever!
/ Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
With even more vigor the children sang the
| first line OF the chorus;
| Three cheers for the red, white and blue
aud some boys in the outskirts of the crowd
| gave shrill yell of delight, for they caught
above the edge of the roof glimpse OF the blue
! bunting aud the white stars.
Three cheers for the red, white and blue
and a hundred children were shouting fran
ticslly as not only the blue, but some OF the red
| stripes rose into sight.
Thy banners make tyranny tremble
| When borne by the red, white aud bluei
The flag was full in the view OF all, floating
| gracefully in the soft wind. Every man. NO.
| man aud child was cheering. Boys caps were
| in the air. Girls hats were soaring high by the
long ribbons, and tears were in the eyes OF ;iot
! few.
| TEMPERANCE WORKERS MEET.