St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-08-27

celebration is over? And it occurred to
me to suggest, at the centennial banquet,
that the flags should be taken into our
school houses. l rejoice to know that
everywhere throughout the land, in all
our patriotic towns and villages, move
ments have been inaugurated to display
the American flag in our institutions of
learning.
| have sometimes been brought into
contact with Incidents showing this love
for the flag. remember that when Hood
was investing Nashville, and when that
gallant sturdy and faithful leader, Gen.
Thomas, [applause] was gathering the
remnants OF the army that he might con-
front his adversary, it was assigned to
me to intrench through the beautiful
grounds of residence in Nashville. The
proprietor was a Tennessee Unionist
While l was tearing up the sod of his
beautiful lawn, he was bringing out his
library and other valuables. Happening
into his library, he opened a closet be-
low the bookshelf, and taking out a
handsome flag asked me whether 1 had
garrison flag. l said no. WELL said
he, take this. Sir, l have never been
without an American flag in my house"
l would be glad if that could be said by
every one OF our people.
There is inspiration in it. 1t has
story wrought into its folds, until every
thread has some lesson to tell of sacrifice
and heroism. 1t is the promise of all
that we hope for. 1t is to 1t and about 1t
that we must gather the hearts and at
fections of our people, if these institutions
are to be preserved. | have it in my
mind as l saw it one night in Newport
harbor. Going out of that harbOr on
government vessel about midnight, when
the heavens were darkened with cloud, l
r, !,
~. Officers of a torpedo station had run
up banner on the staff. Turning upon
it a great electric searcl-light, it revealed
the banner, while the building below it
was hidden in darkness. / could see its
folds in the darkness of the night-a glo-
rifed emblem of the boast of free peo-
pie. Applause.
Let us keep it thus in our hearts. Let
no other flag be borne in our marching
professions. We have no place here for
the red flag of anarchy. This emblem
typifes free people, who have placed
themselves under the restraint of law.
This is our compact; this the liberty
which we offer to those who cast their
lots With us-not a liberty to destroy,
but to conserve and perpetuate.
[ am most happy to witness in this
town so many evidences that your COM
mu1lity is intelligent, industrious, enter
prising and lovers of home and order.
You have here some great manufacturing
establishments, whose product and fame
have spread throughout the world. You
have a class of enterprising, public-spirit-
ed citizens who are building these libra
ries and galleries of art, and who are
ninistering to the good of the genera
| tons that are to come. You have here
an intelligent, educated class of skilled
workmen, and nothing pleased me more
as | rode through your streets than to
be told that here and there were the
homes of the working people of St. Johns
bury; homes where every evidence of
comfort was apparent; homes where
taste had been brought to make charm
ing the abOdes where tired men sought
rest; homes that must have been made
sweet for the children that are reared
there, and comfortable for the wives
whose places of toll and responsibility
they are. Here is the anchor of our safe
tv this is the stake that binds men to
good order and good citizenship-to the
flag and the constitutional contented
and prosperous working class
1 will not cross any lines of division in
my remarks, for this reception is gen
eral one. But l will venture to say that
all our policy and effort may wisely keep
in view the need of perpetuating a con-
tented, prosperous, and hopeful working
| class in America. When hope goes out of
the heart, life becomes so hard that it is
no longer sweet; and men without hope
are not safe neighbors or good citizens.
Let us see that the blessings of our insti-
buttons, the comforts of liberty, have
that fair distribution that brings con-
tentment into all our homes.
l wish it were in my power to make
some adequate return for the generous
welcome you have given me. l am not a
man of promises and abhor pretensions; ;
but every such assembly-this great cup
of good WILL which you put to my lips
gives me strength to do what l can for
our country and for you. [Applause.]
SECRETARY PROCTOR SPEAKS.
Secretary Proctor was then called
by the crowd, and in response spoke
briefly. He said After the magnifi-
cent display and gathering at St.
Adams last night, matched as it is
by this display and gathering here
at St. Johnsbury, 1 think the presi-
Saints Of Vermont are glad to see
him. All classes, indeed, have seemed
to vie with each other in honoring
the president. It's certainly graft
flying evidence of the growth of the
national spirit. 1 believe 1 have
never been charged with a
lack of affection for Vermont lam
glad of this opportunity to say that
through every day of my absence my
affection for the state has increased,
and since my return it has been made
greater by the welcome you have
given the chief magistrate The sec
rotary closed by returning thanks for
the cordial greeting given him.
CLOSING SCENES.
Il, IL. l,