The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-23

bell, the speaker of the occasion, was then
introduced by Chairman w. w. Rule. DIR.
Campbclns address WAS II forcible and
eloquent eulogy on George Washington
and was we'll received by his audience.
There was well rendered selection by
the Dixie Quartctte after which there was
IL dag raising and Bible presentation.
The Roanoke Light Infantry, headed bv
their band, marched up and down Salem
avenue eliciting much favorable comment
on their splendid appearance and splendid
music. The colored school was marched
TO the Old Opera House. where they were
presented with flags and Bibles
State Chancellor Boehm in presenting
the Bibles and flags at the Academy said:
1T is eminently proper for tue Amer.
can people TO assemble to day in honor
of that noble chicftain. Washington the
story of whose life has been SO eloouently
told by the orator of the day. But we
desire in addition tt, reviewing the past to
perform liz the living present an act that
will tell future historians of our loyalty
in pcrpetuating the glorious institutions
perpetuatcd by our fathers. We therefore
would place the Bible i'm and our national
flag over our public schools, and it is
very appropriate that an organization
born in II school house nearly half Il ceu-
fury ago should be the medium of pre-
of the Junior Order composed of 200 000
patriotic Americans | am proud to per.
form the pleasant task
Mr.. BOehm said that the Bible alwnvs
comes first, and he paid an eloquent trib
ute to the book, declaring that its exist
ence to-day in view of its history was
enough to stamp it divine. lie then pro-
ceeded to trace the history of the adoption
of the American emblem. and Washing
t.N,, J., l..
was symbolic Of many things, but chief
of il all stood for patriotism, the master
passion OF mankind. The flag was placed
upon the school that the children might
be inspired with IL love for their country.
They should he informed that It has
never been conquered and they should be
taught that to them the sacred mission
comes to maintain its honor and to per-
petuate its mission. 1t means to-day
when placed over our schools that our
government, recognizing i'm them one
great cause of our advancement, stands
ready to dash aside the hand that would
destroy them. He urged the children to
be proud of the flag that has welcomed
thousands of oppressed and dow IL trodden
brothcrS from other lands, to be proud of
their country, study its history and guard
its traditions. In conclusion he said
Now, in behalf of the school children
of Roanoke, | present to the honorable
school board these seven beautiful flags,
and two precious Bibles. We ask YOU to
place them over the schools and on the
desks so that these children may have
engrafted into their very being the lessons
they teach. lowered with priceless tradi-
tons. always sustained by patriotic love
of Il sovereign aud intelligent citizenship.
let them continue to carry their lessons
Of heneiicent government TO all the lands
of the earth, rejecting the grandeur OF
our country and the coming glory of the
American oeople.'
Roy Il. Smith of the school board, nc
cepted the Bibles and flags in II graceful
and appropriate speech, and the school
sang Star Spangled Banner This was
followed by the hosting of the flags and
the military salute