The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-25
SERVICE OF PATRIOTISM
SONGS AND FLAGS AT THE FIRST
BAPTIST CHURCH LAST NIGHT.
Rev. Mr.. ViIIers Talks Exclusively on
the War sftuatiOn-Rev. MIR.
Bradshaw's Sermon.

Hung from the SIDE walls, the DdIcOny 'front.',
in the corridors and almost concealed the
choir gallery, while suspended from the
ceiling above the pulpit were two great
flags. with the flag of Cuba between. Prom
inent among the sidewan decorations were
English Union jacks The effect gave the
interior of the auditorium something of the
appearance of great political gathering
place. although the flags were arranged in
sober folds. The church was crowded to the
doors. Scores could not enter and turned
away.
The entire programme of the service was
made up of patriotic features. Mr.. Pres
ton. the organist, played for a prelude .
medley Of national airs, including Column
bia," America" and the Red, White and
Blue" For a professional there was the
"Star-spangled Banner" in which the audi
ence Joined, singing the words printed on
the back of the printed programme. the
front of which was decorated with pre-
sentiment of the flag in colors. After the
invocation Beethoven's anthem. 1.-THE Heav-
ems arc Declaring" was rendered.
Among the commandments of the church
are young men who belong to the Indiana
National Guard. Rev. T. j. Villers, the pas
tor prayed that God would go with them
and be with them in times of Battle. He
prayed for the country that has suffered
and bled, Cuba, the Macedonia, stretch
ing out her hands to us, imploring God
to give her liberty in body, liberty in mind
and liberty In soul'' Mrs. A. w. Posey sang
the solo part of THE Vacant Chair ar
ranged with chorus accompaniment by the
organist After the pastors sermon on
Cuba and the American Flag" the con-
gregation sang America" with great zest.
All through the evening there was tense
feeling that was but feebly suppressed, and
indeed spontaneous applause broke forth
several times, the congregation evidently
forgetting the hour and the place or be-
Heving that all times and places are proper
times and places to express love of country
and the flag. The organist played for the
closing march Sousa's "Stars and Stripes
Forever" The fact that among the audi
ence were those who, shortly must offer
their services, perhaps their lives, made
deep impression on the thoughtful, and al
together it was occasion that will be
long remembered by those who were there.
THE FLAG WILL REMAIN.
Without announcing a text, Mr.. Villers
took up his subject, first referring to the
fact that the church was indebted for the
loan of many of the flags to the fire de-
partn1ent and to individuals who gladly
brought them for the occasion. One of the
most beautiful flags was of heavy silk and
was suspended from the ceiling across the
pipes of the organ. 1t belongs to the church
and will remain hanging until the war is
over. One Of the large flags hanging above
the pulpit came from the Statehouse.
1--WE desire to acknowledge the kindness
of the Governor and state officials for this
a
for the first time, and which we have the
honor TO dedicate to freedoms cause to-
night. am also glad to say that we are
stars and sfrpes When i the master wi Of the
western world is united to the mistress of
the high seas, there is a union that is in
vincible" This sentiment was loudly APP
plauded
Mr.. Villers told of a conversation sena-
tors Garfield and Cox had one night early
in 1861. They stood with clasped hands.
War is inevitable said Garfield.
Sure as you live replied Cox.
And we must fight" continued Garfield.
other
Then with clasped hands they pledged to
give their lives, II necessary to the cause of
their country.
I'VE have met tonight" said Mr. vilIers,
TO clasp hands and pledge our lives in be-
half Of our country. When / see the flag.
the red always reminds me of the sacrifice.
We can trace the path of the revolutionary
fathers in blood along the frozen ground.
Wn6n a young man goes IN the spirit or
freedom and sacrifice, although his life be
laid down, he can say AIS WELL Along
with sacrifice is selflessness, the opposite
of selfshness. Unselfish motives are promt-
ing the Nation in this struggle. There is
no desire for territorial gain. 1t is human
ity against inhumanity, a war against cru
With the Two thoughts of selfessness and
sacrifice, the red was associated in his
mind with the idea of sovereignty. ''Wher-
ever the banner waves it proclaims self
government" said he. What it proclaims
for this country it will also proclaim for
Cuba, and will stand to help that nation
throw off the despotism of Spain. For
years the struggle has been on" The soil
of Cuba, he said, ran with patriotic blood
it. when promises We're made by Spain
promises of reform that have never been
kept;
tween the stars and stripes" said the pas
tor, raising his hand with significant
gesture to where they. hung in that relation
above his head, land keep them there until
the Spanish butchers are run out and the
flag of free Cuba floats over Havana har-
bor." He was again interrupted with APP
plause.
The white in the flag stands primarily for
purity, said he, the opposite of what Spain
has forced upon the nation: He declared
that Spain has done everything possible to
remove the props of political integrity from
beneath the government of that island.
PO5ca he robbery saS has been openly sn f6e
custom house receipts have been stolen by
Spanish officials. From 1878 to 1885, he
declared, "$1O0, 100000 was taken from the
treasury and out of the blood and the sweat
and the bone of the CubanS have they en-
riched themselves. The white in the
flag also stands for protection, he said. An
ignorant foreigner and his young son
glanced over harbor filed with ships, from
which Were flying the flags of all nations.
The boy picked out the stars and stripes as
the most beautiful of all. What flag is
that?'' he asked.
NAY. / know not what nations flag it
is" said the man, II only know when my
bore that flag that brought us food and
The sway of Spain on the island is ending
as 1t began with inhumanity and cruelty.
The flag stands for protection from such
inhumantty.
INDUSTRIOUS POLICY IN CUBA.
my friend Diaz," said the preacher, told
me that before he was banished from Cuba
he knew of twenty-seven children under
fourteen years of age that were butchered."
The flag means to the island protection
from taxation. He said that SO per cent.
OF what the people can earn is wrung
from them to sustain an extravagant adj
ministration. They are taxed double what
other Spanish subjects pay. While the
President of this country was paid S25, 200
year, the governor general of Cuba received
$50, 900, six governors of as many provinces
$1,000 each and two archbishops $4,000
year, and in each instance the ''perquisites"
We're equal to the salaries He referred to
the monstrous policy of RECOMMENDATION in
augurated Oct. 81 1896. and said that If the
country is to believe a Christian President,
600 600 were shut up in pens and within four
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