The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-01
AN AMERICAN FLAG
Presented to the Seventh Ward
Public School
BY The ISLAND COUNCIL 0. U. A. Nj.
Interesting aud Enjoyable Exercises
in the School Follow a Large and
Fine Parade-Eloquent Address by
Rev. DIR. Riker and Patriotic Music
by the Band and AsscmbIage.

1t had been announced tnaL yesterday
afternoon the Island council o. U. A.
NJ. would present to the Seventh ward
public school fine silk flag, but SO lit
tie had been said publicly about the
matter in advance, that few people ex-
pected to see such turnout as there
was.
Bellalre sent three councils OF the Or
der headed by the Jr. o. U. A. NJ. band.
They came up to Bridgeport on the new
electric road, aud marched over, being
met on this side by the Island Council
and many members OF the other Wheel
ing'councils, headed by Mayors brass
baud, Bridgeport and Martins Ferry
also sent good delegations, there
being in all at least $50 OF the Ohio eide
mechanics in line, while Wheeling her
self did not turn out more than that
The column formed on Chapline
street, right resting on Fourteenth,
headed by the Bellaire band and tine
visiting councils, while the Wheeling
organizations brought up the rear.
In a hack rode Rev. DR.. Riker, OF
Fourth street NJ. E. church, and Rev.
DR.. Buckley, OF Thompson church,
while another hack, drawn by four
prancIng grays, held four veteran men,
bers Of the order from Bellaire. Fine
banners and bright flags, with the tri-
Colored regalia Of the order and the
brilliant badges made a gay display.
The line moved down Chapline atreet
to Sixteenth, on Sixteenth TO Market,
I'D TO Tenth and over tho suspension
bridge. A short parade was also given
over the Island streets, and everywhere
good sized crowds cheered the marchers
with enthusiasm.
Arrived at the handsome new Madi-
son school building, the members OF the
order filed IN and with several hundred
Island people who had gathered to en-
ioy the exercises, packed the commo-
dious grammar room to overlooking.
Many also stood in tho adjoining halls
and not few, unable to find places, re-
manned out Of doors.
Maver's band, stationed in the hall,
PLAYED "America," after which, led by
the members OF Island council, all pres
ent Joined in singing the same inspir-
ing air. Rev. DR.. Buckley then made
feryent and fitting prayer, and Coun-
ciller Ed Grosscurth, who acted as mas
ter OF ceremonies, introduced Rev. DR..
Riker, who made the formal speech OF
presentation. He referred tothe posi-
biities OF American citizenship, to the
grand ideas for which the beautiful flag
stood, and to the patriotic lessons fur
nished by the history of this nation.
He pronounced the public schools OF
this land the grandest educational sys-
ten ever devised by man, and counseled
the people to guard tjealously. When
ever any person or power laid a hand
upon it or threatened 1t, 1t was time for
the American people to cry hands off.
The fathers OF this country, DR.. Riker
nid, did wise thing when they sep
arated church and state. He was a
churchman, and he thought tho church
was the grandest institution under the
sun, but he did not think his church
had any right to have part in civil
government in which members OF other
churches were equally interested, and
il his church had not that right then he
must demand that no other church eS-
ercise it When q man became pure
enough TO be the head OF both a great
church and o great state, he was alto
gether too pure to be practical.
II this nation goes on as 1t has gone
in the past it will bring into existence
that faVorite dream OF the poets and
the prophets in all ages-the Golden
Age 1t was said once:
why. in that elder day.
To be Roman was greater than King"
That was a poetic fight, but in this
day it has already come to pass that to
be an American Is greater than a king.
That Is not poetry, but Gods truth.
In conclusion Dr.. Riker formally pre-
sented the flag to Prot Stephenson, the
principal OF the schools, who accepted
ii in brief but appropriate address.
Throughout the audience was very en-
thusiastic, and when the flag was un:
furled cheer arose, while the band
played THE Star Spangled Banner"
The closing ode OF the order and
another patriotic selection by the band
ended the exceedingly pleasant exer-
Cises, and the flag was then run up TO
the staff on the tower, and was greeted
BY cheer upon cheer.
The Island council in meeting after
tho exercises rendered vote Of thanks
to the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge
Company for SO kindly giving free pas
sage across both its bridges for this oc-
casion. A vote OF thanks was also tend
cred Rev. A. B. Riker and Rev. +. D. 7.
Buckley for their assistance; also to all
councils and others for their aid in