The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-07-06

feeling that may be left out of the heart
ny lack OF education and patriotism.
Like John Adams, want this day TO
DE celebrated ny bombs, frecrackers, guns
and everything else which makes noise.
We are all sons of America and today LET
us be boys clarifying in the achievements
OF on: ancestors. In this country we are
too fond of the dollar of our da,idies. We
aim too much after the material things of
this world
Let it go ont to the world that mt high
noon ON this spot there shall he hostcd
that flag which Paul Jones gave To the
world when, with his little fleet of three
vessels, he attacked the Scraps and hostcd
the fiag on his little ship, the Bon IIomme
! mere stands the woman whose ancestor
rescued the flag from the waters. and she
refused to allow me to take the flag from
hrr hands. 1t is here, and ,lo not blame
her for never letting it leave her hands for
those of another. Fourhundred years AGO
lat year three little caravels sailed from
> ,ain for this undiscovered land. and to-
d"y we celebrate i'll this great white CITY
t:.at event of the world
Mementoes of Mighty Heroes.
AT this point in his address the mayor
D. 'seu lot moment. Stepping toward
to" table he picked up small bunch of rcd
ahd white carnations and waving them in
the face of the multitude, he exclaimed:
Here are flowers from the grave of Thomas
j ;ffcrson, mighty hero of the DAYS of
american independence. Then laying
down the flowers and picking NJ n sword
with magnificent gilded scubbar. he con-
tinued, with increased dramatic effect as
he waved it round his head: Here is the
sword of another great defender of Amer
lea, Andrew Jackson" \ great shout
went up from the throng ana at this mo-
ment big rain drops commenced 10 fall, the
SKY having been gradually ovcrcastinU
since the commencement of 6hc cxercises.
1T Is going to rain shouted he mayor,
but do you think that or forefathers
who died for you cared for the rainy'
a mighty shout of No came in re-
sponse.
The supreme moment is at hand" COL
tlnued the mayor, whose watch denoted
tiat 1t was within minute of noon. For
moment the multitude stood GREATNESS
Venerable Mrs. Stafford. shaking and
trembling IN every limb, uprose and graspcd
the cord OF the flag pole
The sublime Climax
1.-THE moment is here" shouted the
mayor. n roar of cannon followed, and
then with palsed fingers the old lady drew
old and faded but still priceless emblem
of liberty went up to the top of the pole I'm
full view of the throng. simultaneously
Mayor Harrison again grasped the Jackson
sword, and brandishing it over his head
shouted above the roar of cheers:
Men and women of America: Let every
American swear at this moment and by
this sword that he stands ready to draw
his sword in the defense of his country"
Forward to the stand, like the roar of a
tidal wave sweeping inland came the
voices of tens of thousands of resolute men
and the weaker voices of thousands of the
gentler sex. Yes, yes! We swearl We
swear From the balconies of the striIc-
lures behind and before, to the north and
south, down from the dome of the Admin
istration building, came like an echo the
deep, earnest roar. Yes, yes! We sweari
We swear Still! the mayor stood with
pword pointed toward the flag like Ajax
defying the lightning
Intensely Dramatic Scene.
The moment was dramatic, intense-one
of those moments that are experienced but
once in lifetime. There was not man
or woman in the vast thrOng but at a
gall from country would have marched at
the moment to the defense of the flag.
Hhen the scene changed. With prelim-
snary burst Of melody the combined bands
commenced the strains of 1.-The Star
Spangled Banner" and the chorus fol-
lowed in unison
Sing, sing, all sing" shouted Mayor
Harrison as the refrain was reached and
flags were waved and hats waved and
han1kerchiefs waved. Never before, never
ngain will jackson park resound with
ouch burst OF song as came at the word
VI command: And the Star Spangled Ban
Yer in triumph shall wave DER the land of
Fhc free and the home of the brave"
Americas first flag and the silent old
bell Of liberty met in the Pennsylvania