The age-herald., 1898-09-06
BIG LABOR DAY
 DOWN IN MOBILE.
Large Flag Raised at Duncan Park Yesterday.
GOV. JOHNSTON WAS ORATOR.
ss Canals, Better Merchant Marines and Broader Commerce-A
 Great Opportunity Open.


 's Mobile. September 5.-Mobile celebrated Labor Day by big flag raising at Duncan Park. The flag was presented to the city by William Butler Duncan, of New York
 The flag raising was attended by one of the largest crowds ever gathered in Mobile, and splendid programme was furnished. Among the distinguished speakers for the day were Governor Joseph F. Johnston, Mayor Bush and E. L. Russell, president of the Mobile and Ohio railroad. The speeches were appropriate and well re- ceived.
 Governor Johnston was given an ovation. His tribute to the flag was beautiful. He \ spoke in part as follows:
 The flag of nation represents its sov- e-Aisp power
 "a emblem, to other nations, of the setriotism. the ,.''ta' and nd the the iss;;ys % of the government it represents. .p
 Eff that government is s~cruel. Oppressive, unjust and unf ritnful, either in it's foreign or dc.nestlc politics, the flag will not com Iaand the love of its own people or the respect of other nations.
 The emblem of national sovereignty and power should represent the loftiest pa triotism, the highest sense of justice and the noblest thought of the people it floats over.
 Often, in the history of nations, the valor of the soldiers and the skill of the general has rescued from disgrace the flag of a Iiation when engaged in unrighteous war. From the days of Washington. and under his patriotic advice, it has been the policy Of our government to refrain from en- fangling alliances with, but to preserve friendly relations with all nations.
 -Four flag has rarely floated in hostile ar ray over foreign soil we can congratulate ourselves that whatever division existed before a declaration of war, however strongly it was opposed, the sound of the first hostile gun has always been the sg- nal to lay aside all differences. obliterate party lines, and to unite our people in giv- ing cordial and patriotic support to the gcherai governmeht.
 Many of us here in the south have not always loved the stars and stripes. It has not always represented to us constitutloG1al Government and fair dealing, but southern blood has once more stained its silken folds and obliterated memories that were deep in our hearts.
 The men of Dixie wish every star to shine undimmed in that constellation, rep resenting sovereign states, and that not stripe should fade away; but would like to see those stars set in the southern. cross in recognition of the unconquerable cour- age and valor of the men of the south in the worlds most heroic struggle, and as perpetual memorial that no memory of our great civil war should remain except that of the glorious deeds of valor by the men on both sides-all American citizens.
 Here in this square, beautifed by the kind, loving hand of an honored and loved nitizen of the north, at the close of vic torious war, it seems peculiarly meet to raise on high once more flag again con- secrated by the heroic blood of the men of the north and of the south. It seems also peculiarly appropriate that this ceremony should take place on the day dedicated in Aonor of labor In a little more than a century we have seen this republic pass From the swaddling clothes of weak and feeble people and become, by intelligent labor, the greatest and most progressive nation of the earth. On every battlefield from Lexington to Manila wherever this flag has f1oated in triumph, the courage that gave victory, the blood that dyed its folds, has been largely the courage and blood of the men who went from farm and shop and mine in response to their coun- try's call Certainly in this country that flag should give proudest salute to labor.
 This flag should not only represent the courage and patriotism and highest thought and aspiration of our people. but 1t should be found in every port assuring protection to our citizens, and floating proudly over the products of our farms and factories would infinitely prefer to see 1t recog- nized amongst the nations as the emblem of peace and good will and friendly com- merce than to have it float proudly over bloody fields, and represent to subjugated people the restraining and conquering arm of this great country. We need to extend our commerce. rather than possessions; we want the most unfettered trade possible, that the muscle of labor shall not become soft by. enforced idleness.
 We want the flag to cut deeper and broader channels from our cities to the sea; to build a canal across Central America and unite the two oceans, to multiply our merchant marine; to float over the products of our mines and fields and furnaces and factories, as they are borne to friendly na- lions in every quarter of the earth.
 We have come out Of late connlct with honor; our navy has commanded the admiration of the world; our soldiers have sustained the proud reputation Of the fathers; we have the respect Of the great nations of the earth. A just and honorable and generous adjustment of the terms Of neace will no doubt be had. All these things conspire now to give us the greatest op- portunity to win still greater victories in inc battles of commerce, in the contests Tor the trade of the world,
 Instead of yielding to present tempta- lion we should be just and fair, nay generous, in our treatment of fallen foe and in consideration for the liberties of those now at our mercy that every nation shall applaud our conduct, and the peopie of every tongue and cline shall look upon the flag that we honor today as represent ing the noblest virtues and highest civlnza-
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