The herald., 1896-04-25

The little men and women of the city
schools, following the example of their
elders, turned out in force yesterday to
show loyalty to the Fiesta Queen, and
also participate in a ceremony of deep
meaning, which must, by the very ma
ture of the circumstances OF the case,
live long in their memories.
The mere raising Of a flag into place
is of no particular Importance; it is only
when all that the flag typifies is thor
oughly understood and appreciated
that the ceremony becomes impressive
and inspiring, while moving the deep
est sentiments of the human heart. The
system of teaching in the public schools
is such as to instill into the minds of the
little ones, from whom the future eX-
poets so much, a knowledge of what
holy memories are connected with
their country's flag. But there are those
not only in this but every country who
know the truth simply to outrage it,
and this deeper lesson of morality can
be learned in the homes better by ex-
ample than precept.
Miss Mamie Longley, in making a
present of the flag to the city, used noble
words in saying that the white stripes
be as an emblem Of the purity in poll
ties, religion and morals for which we
are hoping and working; let the red tell
the story of defeats that have ended in
victories-a fitting monument to the
men who have died in their country S
cause; let the white stars appear
through the mist Of tears which wells
our eyes as jewels in the crown of lib
erty."
But is this all quite true? 1t is so
easy to talk platitudes, but in the busy
whirl of life 1t is not quite so easy to
stand fast by principle when it means
self-sacrifice. Human nature is innately
selfish, and the timeworn advice to
"crucify the flesh" is not popular. To
love truth and justice as abstract prop
ositions for their own sake, is far less
easy than when the one or other salts
our purpose. That the outraging either
means the degradation of the indivi1-
uaI conscience and the poisoning of the
very well-springs of the individual
thought, reacting and manlfestlng IN
individual action as corruptlng mill
ence. is not generally understood. We
all profess to believe in the evolution
theory-the theory of gradual develop
ment-and as the strands of our COM
plex civilization are in the hands or
that "Great Cause that makes for
righteousness" it appears as If very
MANY were peTIeclly COHlCiiI ~ DC Se'i
ried forward, If they are carried Tor
ward at all, by the movement or the
time, and not as result Of any striving
after a high ideal of clear thinking or
pure living on the part of the Individual
On the contrary, to accumulate as mucn
money as possible while keeping shy or
the law, and to comply'with the ordi-
nary requirements of decent living, are
about all that trouble many man who
fails not to shout for his flag and glibly
talk of the enforcement upon his fellow
citizens of some measure or idea which
he approves, judging it by his yard
measure of patriotic sentiment. On
such lips Patriotism and Liberty-words
to couture with--are blasphemy; but the
ears of the groundlings are easily tick
led, and as of old men "cut one anothers
throats for the glory of God,'' so, in a
metaphorical sense, has often the as
sassstn stab been given in the holy
name of Liberty
With the rising generation let it be
hopeo the mental atmosphere is clear
ing. That truer ideas of these immor-
tai attributes will spring into blossom
from the germ seeds planted in the city
schools. That honor and integrity NAV
be esteemed more highly either than
brains or money. and while the possess
sion Of both the latter are eminentlv
desirable and pre-eminently comfortins