The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-24
OTR FLiG.
A Tribute to the Stars and stripes by q
Richmond Pastor.

Richmond Pastor.
The closing sentences OF Rev. DR.. Fairs
address before the Junior Order United
American Mechanics on the occasion of the
presentation OF the national flag 10 the pup
he schools asst Monday, were so very elo-
uuent and appropriate that the ORDER mas re-
ouested that they be published IN full. Inc
Doctor said.
Ne take this fag. which we once feared
ALI, never shall | forget the moment when. a
trembling child. my eyes saw II Tor the nrst
time m those dark days OF 90 IN my 'arolua
home. my heart stood still ash trozen WIN
am lev chill of terror, the flag that noateu
over the happy days OF my childhood WHOSE
Golden cross had learned 10 love, was low
cred furled forever. aud AS this took lts
mace. IL seemed 20 me an object OF terror OF
oppression and or wrong. ! fed 10 my hloIu-
CT 5 side as my only protection. Ielt tnaI !
had no flag. no country; thaI inc
forth be my only world, but. thank God. that
terror long since passed away ana IN lib
stead there has come a love Whlch' as
tho years 90 by, grows stronger anu
deeper and hOlier. which SENDS us FOCUS
down into my soul and twines us tenarls
around the very hbres OF my Delng we lAAs
this rag. yes, this flag which the strength Vi
giants through years OF mighty coinlct Co'lu
not plant above our city. ana to-day. iIee,,f'
of our own accord, with loving. tender nah1S'
W. nnfnrl IN under our Southern sky, 70 be
oilded by its bright sunshine. and to oe
kissed by its soft. sweet winds; we give II a
welcome. glad. hearty and loyal; INTO u'
opening folds we breathe a heartfelt prayer.
let II ever float May 10 find \ nappy
onJ n LASTING home IN our sunny south.
NAV iU be shielded from the Dghtnings nash
md the tempest blast. never rent hsuhuer
or even roughly shaken by any rllng storm;
let the gentle Zephyr'5 breath cateSs II anu
the sunlight rest upon 1t Ike the smNo u
God and the beuedictlOn OF heaven.
las long rs our great river shall muf mur oy
/ ON rs way 10 the sen may this emblem oi nh-
ti.ual sovereignty float above "a peaceful a
prosperou, and IA reunited people. May low
mo ewes look up - 1t may strong arms de,
fend II may brave hearts be Wiling 10 sheD
the last drop OF their best blood Tor IL.
"Stauding in this historic city. at once the
capital the sepulchre and the shrine OF tAe
lost Cause: standing on tins ground. whose
very sur. ace is beloved with the graves OF
our countless dead; standing on thls
spot. cousecrated by their blood ana rem
dered forever illustriOus by their yalor' we ye'
reaffirm our ! yalty 10 Onlon. our accept
ance OF this flag rs our nag, OF lhl'
country as our country. Of this people as OUT
neonle Across these sad aud silent graves
INTO which we have shed our tears thlcker'
laster than the raln-drOps now lailihg on
t~hem-acrOss these graves around WHICH VIZ
have woven g~arlanis pure as the WhlIo' IN
suliied charlets the snow Is now wreathlna
about their lowly resting place, we eXtenc
the hand Of reconciliation, we open our arm
10 the North. we send our voice OF traterual
love through the entire nation. Brothers
listers we are one. Let the dead past bury
its dead. Turn we to tine living present and
toe rand future. Hand IN hand, heart e
heart. keeping step. let us 20 forward. with
our faces toward the morning. with the Hgn'
of the eternal day falling up d our pain
linked together by this holy. lhdlSsoluDl9 tc
nnr countrv our whole country and nothing
but our country