The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1898-06-10
Town TOPICS.
Flag Raising by the Rubber
Workers Union
AT SANDY HOOK, LAST WEEK THURSDAY.

1T SANDY HOOK, LAST WEEK THURSDAY. {
The grounds of the New York Betting ;
md Packing Co.'S Factory No. 1, at
sandy Hook, last week Thursday after
noon, presented most pleasing aid pG-
rio.ic picture. The Rubter Workers
Union, imbued with the Fpirit of pa rio
ism and national ! ride which is peculiar
" the heritage of this nation, decided on.
that day to fling to the bree re the beauti
full fl x which it was voted to purchase
at q meeting held on May 4. As an evil
derce of their loyalty to their county
and belief in the righteousness of its
cause, the employees OF the factory to the |
number of 200 or more were present to !!
participate in the ceremony.
The program consisted of photogrs PHI
ing the members Of the UniOn in a group
with the flag for background; an adj
dress by President 1hn T. Heating
songs, THE Red, White and Blue" and
THE Star Spangled Banner" ny James
Callahan, who was ably assisted by John
Farrell, William Burns, James O'Niel,
Frank Kirby, Richard Reilly, John
Kesne, Michael Tierney, Arthur Gal
lager and John Finnell; q salute of ID
guns, commemorative of the Is original
states of the union, under the direction
of Thomas Keane, who was in command
of the heavy artillery, ably seconded by
Henry Becker, who directed the fire of
the lighter batteries. The pole from
which the flag now proudly fl oats was
provided by the manager of the factory
Mr. Cushman, who in connection with
Assistant Superintendent l. P. Black.
man aided the employees by every means
in their power to make the affair sue
cess, thereby showing the unity and
good feeling which exists between the
management and employees and gaining
the sincere thanks of the Union for the
courtesy and kindness shown to them on
this occasion. President Heating open
ed his address by thanking the manager
of the company for kindness shown and
then spoke as follows regarding the
reason of assembling to do honor to our
glorious flag:
Dear friends and brother patriots we
are gathered here to-day on a most no-
mentOus occasion, an occasion which
commingles joy and sorrow, while filling
the hearts of those present to-day with
happiness and national pride. We meet
to fling to the unfettered wings of the
air that glorious emblem of liberty, jus
tice and freedom, "Old Glory the stars
and stripes with prayer to Him "who
doeth all things well' that success may
crown the efforts of our arms in the con-
fiict in which we are now engaged 8
conflict the most noble in which chival.
rous and merciful aid was ever extended
to brave, but down-trodden and Cypress.
ed people; to rend the chains of tyranny
and replace them with that most priceless
boon ever bestowed on mankind, liberty
with all it attendant blessings. Thai
our prayer will be answered we can not
doubt for at all times right will prevail
and as sure as our national bird, the
American eagle, screams forth his shril
defiance we are right; and in Gods good
time another cluster will be added to the
crown of jewels which now encircle the
brow Of Fair Columbis, placed there By
the hands of free and independent peo
pie in gratitude for their release from
bondage and oppression-the inhabitants
of Free Cuba.
This then ia the gladstone part of the
ceremony in which we are now about tc
participate. The sorrow is occasioneG
by the thoughts of those martyred he
roes whom met an untimely end in the
dark waters of HaYans aarbor, victims
as it Is universally believed of Spanish
treachery and deceit. The noble heroes
of the Maine, whose blood is still silent.
ly but most forcibly crying to US to be
avenged and remembered, and brother
patriots, while this most holy and
righteous war lasts, that cry shall not be
in vain, for until the blood Of THEN
treacherous and cowardly destroyers po.
lutte the land and tinge the sea you de-
parted heroes may be sure that we will
Remember the Maine,' and in such q
way as to carry desolation and regret tc
the entire Spanish race.
| All! but we 'Will remember the
Maine and when the war Ia oyer this
flag, our flag, the flag of the brave ana
free, shall proudly wave in honor of the
heroes Of this broad land who so bravely
died that freedom and liberty might be-
born anew as well as to do honor to the
living heroes who were willing to be
sacrificed on the altar of liberty IL fate
should so decree.
Let US bear In mind that this flag, the
glorious Stars and Stripes, is the symbo
of freedom in every land and every
CLINE.
This then Ia our flag, the flag Of oul
fathers and may it be the flag OF oul
children. Hail to our flag, long may II
wave on high. And now with an ear
nest prayer for the welfare of the de
tenders Of this most glorious emblem OF
liberty, justice and freedom we viii
fling it TO the breeze with all honor and
veneration, with determination to de-
fend it's rights II necessary by laying
down our lives.
HATTERTcwH.