Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-02
4 GRAND FLAG RAISING.
Old Glory Flung 10 the Breeze al HolIinas.
worth & Whitney schooIhouse, Winsiow.


most interesting event that has oc-
Cured In this town for long time was
| that Of the flag raising. Saturday even
ing at the HolIingsworth & Whitney
school house in that part of the town
that the plup and paper mill Of the
above named concern has made pos
sibility in the past few years. This
school. or rather the two schols In the
building are taught by Miss Gilman
and Miss Robinson and they have been
without flag while the neighboring
schoolhouses have been flying "Old
Glory" for some time.
The local organization of the Ameri-
can Protective Association had decided
that the Hollingsworth x Whitney
school deserved flag and so fine ma
tional banner of the garrison size was
purchased by that organization and ar
engagements made for apublic flag rails
ing, last evening. The services of the
Waterville Military Band were secured
and DIR. A. f.. Farnham of Fairfield,
an orator of no mean ability, was in
vited to deliver an address.
tbcSluc lUt dDONt t HIoSIdlLl1lc Oh
exercises by the school children was
made up that was of an appropriate
character and tended to make the oc-
casion one long to be remembered by
he little ones. The handsome new
schoolhouse was heavily hung with
lanterns and huge boniir burned on
the play ground. A fine flag staff, 30
feet tall was set in the ground at the
northeast corner of the yard and seats
we're arranged in the front Of the build
ing. \ space was reserved for the band
and the front steps were made the
speakers stand. At 80 O'Clock an
audience OF several hundred people
gathered To witness the ceremonies.
The Watervile Military Band gave a
short concert which was followed by
xerciseH hy the pupils. Then the
scholars gathered around the flag pole
and assisted by their teachers run the
flag to the truck. the band playing
The Star Spangied Banner, Three
cheers were given TO the beautiful flag
by all as II rested at the top and the
-hidren took their places on the YER
Ander of the schoolhouse and sang the
Red. White and Blue"
-emarks that tended to enthuse the
.hildren and the adults present rs well
SIR. Mari was particularly happy in his
pecch and called on the little ones to
.ook upon the flag Of the greatest ma
ION on earth as their flag. the emblem
II the greatest principle ever presented
~ 4 people, that Of freedom. of justice
nd honor.
Or. \. T.. Farnham If Fairfield. was
next introduced and h. spoke as fol
.ows
Jr Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen
Fupls OF The itoliinss~orth and Whit
ney School:
You are certainly TO be congratulated
lpon being able 10 hay" SGch beautiful
banner OF our republic. # speaks vol
Inics for your generosity and for your
l8triOtfsm. ! wish briefly 10 give you
some Ideas about this flag this evening.
The history OF flags is an interesting
,udy. Flags nave been used by al ma
ions from the earliest times of which
history makes mention. Even in the
acred sentences OF the molly writ we Scad
IF banners and ensigns. Hang your
tanners upon the outer wall. Several
.iferent flags were used by the coloni3ts
'efore, our present flag was adopted. Tho
irst flag bearing the Stars ana STRIPES
vas raised by George Washington in
cambridge. Mass. in liza or is75. This
lag consisted of thirteen alternate red
aux MiiiNC SttlItS Hititt al Tue COL HtI
there the stars are now were the crosses
# St. George and st. Andrew. They
were there for this reason: At that time
Sc had not ceased to pay homage or ac-
knowledge our allegiance to the mother
ountry. We We're still under the power
+ England. In 1lU Congress first took
lction in relation 10 n national banner.
NJ that time flag consisting of thirteen
alternate red and white stripes with thir-
cen silver stars upon the Blue field was
adopted. Later in 1878 at the suggestion
B lrlT naval officer t'nnnraSS M sod
a resolution that the Nag of the United
states should consist of thirteen stripes
)ut upon the blue field there should he as
many stars as there We're states in the
Union. Since that time stars have been
added as new states have been admitted
the Union. 1t is interesting to Study
he causes which led TO orr separation
rom Great Britain. The principal rea-
taxation without representation. The av-
rage American citizen. although wei
represented al the present day. does con-
siderable growing about paving his
axes; hut of the time of which | speak
lur laws were all made III England. 5000
miles away. by a Parliament OF Lords
iul1cs and crowned heads. In that Par
lament the colonst had no representa-
ion. They were allowed voice in re-
gard TO their own affairs. Burdensomely
-aNed. and unrepresented it is no wonder
hat they rebelled Even the governors
IF the colonies were appointed by Eng
and. Then began the great struggle for
laiionat independence. At that time this
country consisted Of but thirteen feeble
,olonies with a population OF only three
millions of people. IA mere fringe of civili-
cation up and down the Atlantic coast
far different from today when we consist
of Il giant states ana seventy millions OF
inhabitants Thomas jefferson wrote
shat sublime document The Declaration
If independence.
onies were and of right ought TO be thir-
teen Independent states. 1t further de-