The record-union., 1894-11-30

1
minder OF freedom and the cost of indie
penGence.
1t had never waved over the head of an
invading army, and in no place to-day is
our flag more sacredly revered than in
, that section where the discord first took
root.
care not whether it be from the i'm
aglnatlve and ianciful mind of genius or
not, the sentiment found in Whttier's
poem, barbara treitchie," told the true
sto-y OF a genuine impulse as il existed.
as II always will exist in the heart of
every American:
| Up the street came the rebel tread,
Stonewall jackson riding ahead.
Under his sloached hat, left and right
| be glanced; the Old flag met has slgut.
! ''Halt.' The dust-hrown ranks stood fat.
"tire?' Out blaZed the rifle blast;
1t shivered the window, pane and sash
1t rent the banner with seam and cash;
Quick as II fell from the broken staff,
Dame Barbara snatchcd the silken scarf;
She leaned far out on the window-sill
And shook it forth with royal Will.
''Shoot, if you must, this old grey head
Bat spare your country's tlag!' she said.
\ shade of sadness, blush of shame,
over the face Of the leader came;
The noble nature within him stirred
10 lie at tnat woman's deed ana word.
1t is said that all day long that old flag
tossed over the heads OF the rebel host,
and L care not how true this may be, in
point of fact, L nevertheless maintain
that since the first day when that free
flag was unfurled, there has never yet
! been exhibited true and sincere hatred
against 1t.
1t is more than symbol OF our free
dom and independence. 1t is typical OF
all we are, all we have. 1t means a coun-
try made precious, not by Il long course
of achievements III oVerpowering other
nations, and extending the line Of con-
quest over the happy, peaceful, but help
less homes OF tle weak ana defenseless.
MOI Ours Is 4 country cut out from an
entangled wilderness: carved from the
mountain stone OF nature, sculptured
from original clay, the foundation rest
ing not on the shattered fortunes and
bleeding hearts of a conquered Zoe, but
rather on the corner stone OF humanity,
set IN the cement OF eternal hope.
1t means country who has yet to
offer up as q sacrifice to vain glory the
| lives of her loyal sons. OF tho blood
which has saturated her soil. every drop
was given in defense OF that tiag-not one
drop in tho pursuit OF conquest or power
1t is an emblem of equality, pure and
simple. The standard or Amer lean citi-
zenShip is raised 80 high that ali dIstinc-
tons based on birth OF blood are lost,
and class discriml nations yield TO a uni
VerSal respecta Dlllty.
1t means protection to every citizen OF
this Republic, at homo or abroad, in
every land, on every sea. 1t means
national independence; 1t means "A JUS
tice that Is swift; it means an eternal Sc
curity IL the enjoyment OF lies treasures,
be they gagged from the standard of in
trinsic value or found only in a spotless
reputation or a good name.
1t means law aud order; it means free
education, and above all, freedom OF
worship; 1t means selI-government, tenn
pered and made strong by a submission
TO the rule of the majority.
IL means to-day no less than when first
unfurled; it is now, as then, the flag of
America, though no race shall be denied
the freedom, rights, protection and bless
ings it has vouchsafed to the sons OF its
own.
1t is well that it should float over this
little plat of freeman's soil, removed as
it is from the restrictions OF private
ownership and designed as an acre where
the homeless and most humble can revel
in Gods sunlight and enjoy the beau
ties OF nature without fear of molesta-
ton.
1t is we'll that at the break Of each day
our eyes can rest upon it, because if there
is one thing above another which stimu-
lates our patriotism and impels US TO a
greater love of country, 1T Is our flag.
All hail and as we thank God for our
flag, so may he bless IL.
Long may she wave
Ger the land OF the free and the .home of the
brave.
PRESENTATION To THE CITY.
Lieutenant Colonel II. Weinstock then.
on behalf OF the Grand Army of the Re-
! public, in well-chOsen remarks, pre-
sented the liberty pole to the city:
IN o day more fitting than Tnanksgiv-
ing's day could have been chosen Tor the
patriotic purpose for which we are here
assembled. AS free people we could
perform no higher duty on such u dav
than to show by our words and deeds, as
we do in presenting this beautiful flag
and Flagstaff TO our beloved city, that we
keenly appreciate and are deeply CRATE
iul for the political freedom aud the civil
liberties Which, under our benign form OF
government, we SO freely enjoy.
ut is rare privilege. indeed, to be
permitted on such day, in behalf OF
such a people, to present such a gilt to
such city.
The character of the day-the gift, the
people. the city-are all in harmony.
"A city located on a most favored sDot.
III lllOSt Law Oltu lunaDlISu DT
free and a brave, a generous, and an en-
lignteued people, presenting to their
civil authorities US caStodiauS for their
children and their chiidrens children.
the nonored emblem of civil liberty on a
day made glad and joyous, holy and
sacred, by State aud Church.
''Wh a glorious picture and how
deeply should it be cherished What a
happy thought on the part of the old
soldiers OF the Grand Army who con-
ceived the idea of this gift and this man
ner OF presentationi And what better
! evidence that we are not uninindful of
their patriotic thoughtfulness than the
readiness with which young and old, rich
and poor, IN our midst have aided by
their words and by their means to bring
about this happy hour.
| May God grant that we may ever rest
secure in the assurance, that so long rs
/ the Republic may live, should these
( glorious stars and stripes ever be. threat
| ened by enemies from within or from
without, that we and our children and
( those who are to follow them, may emu
! late the example OF the old soldiers who
/ have fathered this occasion, and, like
them, stand ready, if need be, to offer life
! itself for the preservation of this, the en-
blem OF the highest form of civil liberty
this, the flag OF our country.
I'VE realize that heroes cannot be
raised over night. Heroism and love of
country must, as it were. be i'm mbibed at
the mothers breast and instilled into
heart and mind at the fathers knee
! Let those us, then, fortunate enough
/ TO have children, never permit ourselves
/ to pass by this magnificent flagstaff in
their company without reminding them
/ of their duty to their country and the
/ high claims it should ever have upon
their devotion.
Let us iustill into their hearts and
/ minds that Irna nairintisin and not re-