New-York tribune., 1896-05-03

the charge to the students of Columbia to love
cherish and defend i'.' - -
this great gathering of men renowned In law liter
ature. art, science and commerce, cannot heip re-
sretting that instead OF "A professional man or the
sword our committee did not select one OF my com
rades known to the n s of 6 hos M
that might fan from the lips OF one trained 10 me
bodies Of men to uncontrollable emotion through
the sublime gift of oratory. Yet | am consoled
depths OF my heart and that what say is the re
suit Of experience az "A practcil defenier OF
the honor OF this flag men OF the sword hold
why do soldiers and sailors OF the Republic love
Why is this emblem OF nationality so dear 20 the
hearts Of the soldiers and sailors OF the Republic?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FLAG.
Because, sir. the nag IS what the cross
to the Christian apostles what the cross the hIlt
OF his sword the knghty crusader-the en-
blcm Of faith confidence. love. The standard OF a
nation has ever been to men a most sacred thing
so sacred. indeed. that Holy Writ declares by the
mouth OF the great Lawgiver (Numbers II. p: And
every man OF the children OF Israel shall pitch by
his own standard with the ensign of his fathers
sworn upon mis- standard and 1t was common
thing for the Roman generals 10 cast the standard
into the ranks OF the enemy. knowing well that TO
every man OF his legion that standard was so
precious that the most desperate deeds OF valor
And rivalng the ancicnts OF the heroic age. tens
OF thousands OF American soldiers ana sailors have
sealed their devotion their coors with their lfe's
blood. AMI the great loyal heart of this free people
goes out In gratitude to them for IT, and this great
Nation OF seventy millions forever be trusted
remember the men who uphold the honor OF the
Stars and Stripes for loyalty the colors whether
10 victory defeat, whether TO life unto death
these the marks OF the true believer. How
great crime then does that man commit who
brings shame upon the hag--the emblem OF his
couniry--and how great Is the glory OF that man
who reflects honor upon his hag-the symbol Of the
Nations honor.
one OF the most beautiful legends in the history
or Christianity Is that which tells the story OF Con-
stant!nes vision. How on the march to Rome.
sore oppressed in mind with doubts and fears as
10 the Issue OF his bold adventure. and haf-tempted
TO retrace his steps suddenly midday. above
the splendor OF the sun. he In the heavens a
fiery cross. and beneath II In letters of flame the
immortal legend: "By this sign conqueri"
who VIII ga.nsly the assertion that this glorious
emblem OF our natlonal.ty-the nag of our Union
Is as much the sign Of hope 10 us as the radiant
vision was 10 the great Roman soldier?
Look at II rs Il kisses the winds with graceful
folds. and tell me II It be not the one true rally
Ing mark for all honest hearts OF whatever race or
belief, who own allegiance TO this mighty Republic
SYMBOLISM IN THE COLORs
Look at It's beautiful colors as they CLEAN In the
splendor Of the sun. the white symbolic OF purity
and honor. the red typical OF the blood which has
been shed and which will continue to be shed II
need be. In defence Of the integrity and perpetuty