The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-02-23
AT CLAY SCHOOL.

Tho School House Decorated and a Large
Audience Assembled to Listen.
Arrived at tho Clay school house, the
procession drew up in line in front OF
the main entrance, and the crowd which
had gathered to the number Of several
hundred closed in around the members
of the three orders. Miss Clohan, tho
principal OF the school, had with tho
assistance Of hor teachers decorated tho
building nicely with large and small
flags, while in the folds OF one large ono
over the main entrance hung hatchet,
emblem OF the Father of his Country.
The effect OF the decorations as whole
was very artistic.
When Myers band ceased to play tho
patriotic air to the strains Of which the
line filed into place, about a hun
d.ed Of tho larger boys and girls of the
school sang in good style, "My country,
It's OF thee" The effect OF this would
have been much enhanced If tho whole
assemblago had joined in and the band
lent It's accompaniment to swell the
sound. As it was, however, tho sing
ing throughout tho exercises was good.
Rev. f. n. Lynch addressed the as-
Ecmblago, and formally presented to the
school tho flag OF our country. He
made very eloquent and appropriate
speech in doing SO, referring to the
career OF Washington, and drawing from
his ll!ustrious career number OF les
sons tor tho youth OF this day. His
history, the speaker held, showed that
he was raised up by God, as Moses was
to lead tho children of Israel out of
Egypt. His godly character, his perse-
Terance and faith in spite OF grave dis
couragements, his reliance on tho Al
mighty in time of trial. all were pointed
ont rs full OF significance for Americans
IN all ages. For all who first SEQ the
IIght in Virginia, especially, said Mr..
Lynch, should Washington's lie be an
inspiration to high character and noble
uceds. 1t was III Virginia that he grew
up to noble manhood, and it was amid
The mountains and by the rivors Of Vir-
gina that lie drank in tho love OF free
dom. -.
The meaning of the stars and stripes
10 Americans, tho significance OF this
banner OF 4 free people, was also elo-
quently referred to, and tho lesson OF
an occasion like this dwelt upon, and
me speaker said that flag ought to DO
nonoEed and respected on land and sea
IN every quarter Of tho globe. The
PUBLIC schools were held up as ono OF
me distinctive features OF American
freedom and self government, and Mr..
Lynch said; "Palsied DO that hand that
would strike blow at this bulwarll OF
american freedom. We mombers OF
IhGse patriotic orders. OF the G. A. R.,
ana tho patriotic Sons OF America and
ol mat noble ordor, composed OF the
youth and vigor Of tho land, tho Junior
oFdcr oil United American Mechanics,
propose 10 uphold and defend this toun-
uatlon OF our system OF government,
anu to SEQ that no foreign Toe or insidi-
Gus scctarian influence shall strike q
pi0w at 1t with impunity." m.
j. lie closed with en- eloquent peroro-
tnon, and his speech was received with
hearty applause.
Proi, W. II. Anderson, city supcrin-
i,ehdent, responded briefly and in a
happy vein, and then Introduced Mr.,
JACOB Jefferson, member for Clay dis
.r'cs Of the Board OF Education, who
made; mad tho formal speech OF acceptance,
N n place OF DR.. S. L. Jepson, the presi-
SSeht Of the board, who was not well and
ueGuted Mr.. Jefferson to do the talking
W behalf OF the officials. Mr.. jefferson
showed ability as an orator which none
W hss friends before knew him to
gUSsess, His remarks were appropriate
S SFacetnl, and at times eloquent, and
1T showed q sympathy with tho object