The San Francisco call., 1897-06-15

FROM OLD
TO YOUNG
Presentation of the Stars
and Stripes to Boys
and Girls.
TELLING TOKENS OF THE
COLORS.
Behind Them Was the Memory
of Heroes Who Gave Life
for Country.
A GOOD OBJECT LESSON IN
PATRIOTISM.
Flag Day Apr ropriately Cele brated
by the Sons and Daughters
of the Revolu ton.
A GOOD OBJECT LESSON IN
PATRIOTISM.
Flag Day Appropriately Cele brated
by the Sons and Daughters
of the Revolu ton.

1t was flag day yesterday, and the event
was appropriately observed in the cere-
Dlony of presentation of siIken banner
to the Ladies Protection and Relief Soci.
ETY. by the California society of the Sons
of the American Revo ution. The home
of the children on Franklin street, be-
tween Geary and Post, was decor ated and
prepared for the occasion. Every pupil
wore bouquet of sweet peas and had
eood words to say for the suggestions of
the day.
General ]. c. Currier acted as master of
ceremonies, although the post of exercise
be. onged to Hon. Horace Davis and Rev.
William RAIDER.
The silken flag was presented by Mr..
Davis after a formal opening of the exer-
cises by the pupils of the institution sing
ing Forward, Christian Soldiers" GEN
eral Currier then unfolued the beautiful
silken banner and presenting it to the
chief of the boys brigade said:
This banner is given TO your class and the
boys in general on behalf of a noble cause
I give it TO you to-day on behalf of the Society
of Sons of the American Revolution-in be-
half of the greatest humanity the world has
ever seen. Around this flag has grown tragic
memories, and even something better than
that-love of country. Sometimes in the busy
events that occupy the drama we call human
nature. an action or an effort on the part OF a
single individual in his land is misconstrued.
After a time the world changes its judgment.
Where once was petty desire now reigns patti
otism.
Before you stands the emblem of bravery
and purity. This flag and this banner has
/
and the echoes of q king that fed on might
and what right he could get by fair means
| or foul The love of country is here organized.
The meaning of these exercises to-day is
that one great patriotic society comes 10 you
with its gray hair and asks you to take up the
cause it must leave off. The old men leave off
the fight to the boys.
Rev. William RAIDER rose in response to
bless the flag and say good word on be-
half of the boys:
| May this emblem and this banner, with
these children, be baptized into the great
faith that knows no power except peace and
no humiliation except right.
The singing OF 1.-The Star Spangled Ban
ner'' by the children followed. Hon.
Horace Davis then said in unloosing the
| flag:
To me this is the pleasure of my life. Boys
| of the Brigade stand fast TO the banner that is
unwaved here. In intrusting to you this flag
intrust great trust to you. We keep alive
| the memory OF men by this flag We keep alive
| the memory of the men who died for q cause
| the greatest human emotion has ever recorded.
One hundred and twenty-five years ago our
| country had to put up with British umpire,
and you remember that the mother country
| treated us as a child. Instead, we responded
| as men.
| The official ceremony of accepting the
| flag was then performed. Short addresses
| by Rev. William RAIDER and Almarin
Brook Paul followed.
| '"There must be one flag in this coun.
try," said Mr. RAIDER, "and all aspirations
| to dispute this right must be given Amer
| lean treatment. This right to Americans
is inalienable.
1T belongs to Americans as citizens of
| this country. No alien speech shall de-
fame US. No spirit of a usurped monarchy
and usurped freedom shall come to US
and make US forget the good actions of
our foretathers."
Mr.. Paul, in closing the exercises, said:
1t is my fortune to come from a country that
/ has founded republic. In the Eame of La
! fayette l tend my compliments over this band
| of boys There may be better boys than La
| fayette before me.
The exercises were closed with rendi-
ton of America by every body present.