Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-06-04

pie of the British Isles, and they man
ifest it on every public occasion. This
intensiiies and keeps constantly alive
spirit Of patriotism such as an
mated Nelson at Trafalgar and Cor
den at Kahrtoum. 1t has made the
British soldier and sailor hero In
action and almost demigod in the
hearts of his countrymen. AT every
public gathering in Great Britain the
Queen is named and honored the army
and navy are toasted and commended,
patriotic songs and national airs are
rendered, and the meeting disperses to
the song or music of ''God Save The
| Queen.
We should likewise honor our gov
ernment. If our political differences
and prejudicies are so bitter that we
cannot honor our President we can at
least unfurl the old flag the blessed
stars and stripes under which my com
rades, we stood in the fierce glare OF
battle: and we can bare our heads IN
reverence and love beneath il as the
symbol of all that our government inn
plies and means To us We can also
honor the defenders of our national
life-the army and navy-the two
great arms of our political body that
strike for, guard and protect US In
times of peril and need. We can sing
the "Star Spangled Banner" and we
ought to close all our meetings with
that grand old hymn America.
never thought much of the sig
niticance and effect of the raising OF
the flag over every school-hOuse until
the day left Detroit to come to lonia
ON my last return from Scotland. lt
was the 30th day of April-the lovliest
day ever saw in that month. came
through as beautiful country as lies
anywhere upon the earth. saw on
every hand green meadows and grow
ing grain fields, farm houses and viii
lage homes surrounded by shrubs and
trees bursting into green leaves, and
blossoming orchards filling the eye
with beauty ard the air with fragranc 8,
"a wealth offoliage and bloom excelled'
by no other country. The landscape
was continual JOY and delight not
only TO the eve but TO every sense Of
my being.
Now and again | saw through the
trees in hollow or upon hill this bless
ed old flag of ours flying beside or
above the school-house-th red white
and blue-its stars and stripes outlined
against the sky, waving triumphantly
it seemed To me over all this peaceful
and enchanting scene. the guardian of
all these peaceful and beautiful homes.
To me this flag was lovlier than
apple blossoms or green leaves-more
beautiful than pink Of peach or green
Of meadow-better than blue sky OF
bright sunshine, il stood like rain
bow of promise and harbinger Of
peace. 1t spoke To me of my country
more forcibly than ever before, it turn
ed my thoughts from the JOY and beau
ty of nature TO the contemplation Of
the glorious freedom, the precious
privileges it gave TO me and mine, to
you and yours. 1t told as nothing else
could tell of what our country was, and
is to be; if that flag shall continue TO
fly unmolested and in peace 1t told
Of the blessings of these free institu-
tons of ours, OF "a land where the young
man, no matter what his birth or the
station of his parents, starts equally in
life with every other young man when
there is no distinction of classes as in
the old world, no barrier between one
class and another beyond which one
cannot go, like the dividing line be-
tween cabin and steerage passengers
upon an ocean liners deck, but where
he has the golden opportunity to make
his way in the world with no limit
save his own ability, energy and good
fortune.
This school-house flag brought back
to me also the memory OF the days
when | fought under it and of the com
rades who walked by my side ON weary
marches, who shared my blanket at
night and who touched my elbows
when shot and shell were flying, and
bullets whistling about us.
May it float forever over every pub
lie building and school-house in our
land as the representative and perpet-
ual reminder of our blessed institutions
OF liberty, and what it has cost to
maintain and preserve them. And
may the children who study and play
beneath its folds learn To love il, and
through, and by It's daily sight learn
how precious beyond price are the
privileges of which it stands symbol,
Another lesson Of today Is the beauty
OF peace and the horror of war.
have been, as YOU have my com
rades, through one war. ! have felt
and seen all that | wish Of war. have
L. l..1 A. l.I.