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

tioutS tne birst FLAG ever PresontoH 10 n
Coiorcd School In tho State.
At Lincoln school tho windows Of tho
house woro all filed with oagor faces
when the procession reached 1t. In tho
yard in front OF the building, also, wero
scores OF waiting people, while even on
tho sidewalk OF tho street below, too
distant to hear, but near enough to see
what occurred, there wore throngs OF
people all through tho exercises. A
flag staff was already OH the house, and
the flag was run up on II ut an appro-
pirate time in tho exercises, and hearth
ly chcered. Tho pupils sang America"
with q vim, and then Mr.. Frank Liaby,
OF tho Junior Order, on behalf Of his
brethren OF tho organization, mado tho
formal prcsontation. Ho said:
Another year has passed away, and
again the brothers OF these patriotic or
ders have met in union to honor the
birth OF George Washington, whose
namo is sacred in tho memory Of every
truo American, rs tho father OF liberty.
Tho purpose OF tho Junior Ordcr United
American Mechanics In meeting hero
this afternoon is to unfurl from tho tops
OF this institution OF learning the bcau-
titul Stars and Stripes, the American
flag. We do this rs a token OF remem.
branco TO the illustrious name OF Wash
ington; also to teach tho rising genera
ton to hold In reverence that namo as
n living monument OF. tho Inauguration
Of free America and these United States.
I Our mission here this afternoon is, first,
to celebrate Washington's birthday fit.
,tingly; second, to impress upon tho
colored citizens that tho Jr. O. U. Am.
OF this city claim TO have special guar
dianehip over Lincoln school. Our or
dor, lot me assure you, is abundantly
interested in the progress Of tho educa-
ton Of tho colored children. Tho
lack Of education units us all
alike for tho race We are running
in life. It is OF the utmost
Importance that these children should
receive tho protlered free school cduca
ton. am one who advocates compul.
sorry education, and heartily endorse
any enforcement that will compel
children to attend school until they at
tain certain age, without regard to any
nationality. Tho late civil war found
tho colorcd race bound in slavery. Very
fow, ii any. could then road; but since
the yoke Of slavery has been lifted the
race has improved wonderfully. Twonty-
nine years havo elapsed since the clos
ing of tho rebellion. The history o.;
those twenty-nine years informs us Of
the numerous colored schools that now
exist in every city and town in the
union. By reason Of these schools the
colored race has advanced with great
rapidly. They have now in their
ranks an array OF professional gentle
men as well as many learned mechan-
les; nor do they stop there-the race
has proapered in financial way. Not
a few are individually possessed OF con-
siderable wealth, reaching q million OF
dollars and over, all brought about by
removing the burden OF slavery. When
slavery was in existence, the colored
people wero prccluded from even pos
sibility Of receiving any knowledge or
learning. To-day you stand upon a
different footing, and you have to thank
these old soldiers :"for your condition.
FREQ schools are placed within easy
reach OF all; competent teachers are
employed; school books are plentiful
and not at al! costly, so that an educa-
ton is obtained merely by industry and
energy. What excuse have tho parents
OF these children to offer ii they don't
receive an education when it is placed
in their handsP Explain to these schol-
ars, without stint, the advantage thus
derived, and the opportunities that arc
awaiting them, having Tree school ed
ucution.
I have been chosen by my fellow
brothers to assist in placing upon this
school house the flag OF our country,
and cannot torbcar the opportunity to
tell these scholars why we place this
flag upon their school, and why
these patriotic people assemble here
to see this flag unfurled in tho
breeze. It is because OF their love for
this emblem OF liberty. 1t ls because
it is tho flag that cvcry soldier fought
ior who was loyal to the Union. Ii is
tho same flag that was foremoat In
every battle. Many brave hero fell
as its shrine, but the flag was still thero,
and to-day wo intend to unfold hero
upon this school flag, that these SOL
diers may look upon tho bright combi-
nation OF colors that represent purity.
1t is the flag for which tho boys in blue
sacrificed their lives, their homes and
friends, leaving many widows and or
phans. These wore the bright stripes
and bright stars that waved over An
dersonvillc. Ii is tho beautiful banner
that holds with vicc-like grip these
United States. 1t is tho flag to which
Americans bow their heads in submis.
sion and mako kings tromble upon
their thrones. And, last, it is tho flag
of our Union.
Scholars OF Lincoln school, I am dc.
lighted to have tho honor bestowed
upon me in behalf Of Wheeling Council
No. Jr. 0. U. a. NJ. to present your
school with this beautiful banner, the
flag OF liberty. We place this flag in
your keeping feeling assured that YOU
will protect it and keep it as pure and
spotless as tho bright stripes and the
bright stars that adorn 1t, aud that YOU
will treasure it as sacred souvenir-that
the boys in blue offered their lives, at
tho altar, upon the field OF battle, that
your raco might DO FREQ and havo the
rights OF free schools, and make you
q happy, contented and united race Of
people.
Prof. Anderson and President Jcpson,
OF the Board OF Education, were both in.
tercsted spectators OF the exercises. Prof.
j.. McH. Jones, the eloquent principal
OF the school, made a brief speech OF
thanks, rcmarking in his vigorous and
eloquent style on the Significance OF tho
day, tho flag and the occasion which
brought this throng there, and no then
| intrnlu cnEl Hon Inhn M nrnrta., ~