Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1894-08-09

oi0AWou VI lbAu anu 66h, 10 buo cuuc
OF the earth, mans capacity for self
government.
Under 1t, the Country had grown
from the weakness of colonial vassa-
lage. into the sturdy and stalwart
strength of nation, whose poweer
everywhere found recognition; whose
example had Influenced the policy of
the Oldest and proudest States Ct
Europe; whose enterprise had pushed
Its adventurou, way into the remosest
lands; whose science and philosophy
had contributed to the comfort and
advancement Of every people; whose
laws embodied the ripest results Of
eighteen centuries of political exper-
ience and growth.
This flag has through three wars led
our armies to victory. It could not
surely be that men who had fou, d
shelter under iis folds, whose Fathers
had marched uader 1t to battle, who
were Illuminated by the glorv of IT.
Stars, would dare to seek the cishonor
and overthrow Of the authority which
1t representeds
The same rivers that flowed by the
doors OF Northern home -steads, touch
ed, In their majestic sweep, the Dor.
ders OF Southern plantations, and bore
to Southern villages and cities, the
products of Northern acres.
The same mountain ranges which
graded Northern hamlets on their
slopes, lifted their heads over Southern
valleys, with oontented populations
nesting In their laps. A vast system
OF railways, reaching from the North
ern lakes to the Gulf, with lateral lines
extending from the Atlantic seaboard
to the Rocky Mountains, contribute to
the creation of a community of inter.
ests and equality of responsibility in
the government, among all sections of
our domain.
The language In which Southern
men appeal to God around the family
altar, Is that In which New England
sung her Thanksgiving hymns and
taught the duty of obedience to law in
her Christian Schools.
Jr. Mechanics: In behalf of out
Board of Freeholders, allow me before
concluding, to thank you for the kind
ly interest and patriotic feeling you
have manifested in this demonstration,
and to congratulate you upon the efa-
cient and successful carrying ont OF the
program of arrangements.
One word more and l am done.
Through the representative of your
Oouncils, I now commit this Flag for
the time being, to your keeping; ac.
cept 1t from the representatives of
your County, and as you unfurl 1t
and spread it to the gentle breeze, may
the same patriotic spirit that Inspired
the author of the Star Spangled Ban.
ner, thrill and electrify us all with the
sentiment and desire, that long may
our Flag wave DER the land of the
free and the home of the brave; NAV
1t forever and forever continue to float
over happy, contented and prosper
GUS people.
The tag was received by Rev. Geo.
W. Ireland, on the part of the Juniors
with the following beautiful address:
"Mr. Chairman, Wherever the traces
OF civilization have been found, flags
OF some sort have been used.
We read of the banners of the Israel
ties, back in Numbers. In the exca-
vations of Egypt, they have found
carved upon stone different designs of
fiags and banners. They have been
used to denote the positions of armies,
as we'll as defeat and victory. 1t has
been used to show national unity, as
we'll as the mark of respect for dead
statesmen.
AT the beginning of 1776, Washing
ton by the help of Congress, had sue
ceeded In getting into military order
the army which then ceased to be
q collection of little Colonial mill
tia organizations, and on the 2nd of
July he hoisted the Union flag in
compliment of United Colonies.
The tiag bore the stripes which are
found on the flag Of to-day, but the
crosses OF St. George aud st. Andrew
were retained on a blue background
In the corner, blending the idea OF a
new nationality with English suprem-
acy. After the great victory won by
those noble men of 1776, and independ-
ence was declared, they began to de-
wise new and more suitable fl 4g. and
on June IA. 1777, the present flag with
thirteen stars, one for each .of the
original States, was uufurled upon the
State House In Philadelphia. Since
NSA