The times., 1898-05-16
BLESSINGS ON OLD GLORY
Great Patriotic Demonstration al
st. DOminic'S Church.
MEMORABLE OCCASION
The Stars and Stripes Formally and
SOIemnly Blessed and Raised,
Presence of Great COncourse OF
Enthusiastic People.

One of the most patriotic demonstrations
ever held and authorized by a religious
denomination in this city was made at
st. DOmonic's Church, corner of Sixth and
d Streets southwest. yesterday afternoon.
1t often happens that an entertainment or
sociable is given in the auditorium of
church By one of the many patriotic So
cieties in honor of some historical event
or person, but there has seldom been an
occasion when Christianity and patriotism
were combined in solemn ceremony that
had for its object the blessing of that glo-
rious standard of freedom and civilization,
Old Glory.
A more enthusiastic crowd than the one
that cOngregated on rhe sidewalks and
lawns surrounding the church would be
difficult to imagine, and yet they were
fully alive TO the solemnity of the occa-
sion and were perfectly orderly. There
was a squad of police in attendance, but
they We're superfiuous and had nothing to
DO but enjoy the occasion
The exercises began in the church with
the playing of Hail Columbia by the
Marine Band, and the procession of the
priests and choir of little girls. The beau
tiful and impressive ceremony of blessing
the nag was then celebrated a large
bunting flag about twelve feet long was
draDed over the altar piece and was used
IN the service, after which Father Moran
delivered an address.
He said that this was an unusual occa-
sion THE mission of the church is one
Of peace, to teach men 10 love one anoth-
er. true 10 the writings of the Prince of
Peace. the founder of the church But
in the ritual Of the Catholic Church is
found ceremony that cOnsecrates to the
God Of battles the flag of the country.
I ! he church stands by the country and
when q great nation is battling for the
sake Of humanity she offers her all the
support in her power. The church
! watched the birth of this nation and has
Endorsed her every move since Some peo-
pie have suggested that we were unwel-
/ come guests then. some try to make Us
think that We are unWelcOme now. But
/ che number Of men belonging to the
church who have fought and died for the
country and the patriotism Of the church
in general, dispr0ves that charge.
There is no country in the world in
which The church has prospered so well as
in America. Gods own country. The
members of the Catholic Church wera
ready to make every sacrifice for their
country and will be found standing side
! by side with the other citizens. willing To
! die 10 uphold the honor and integrity of
/ the ma ion"
Father Moran then read an address to
the clergy and members of the church
in this country endorsing the policy of
the President, and while generally depre-
/ eating the state of affairs, it admonishes
/ all Catholics 20 stand by the flag
The Speakers.
When Father Moran had finished the
/ congregation sang America, accom-
panied by the Marine Band after which
/ the band played Sousa's 5 stars and
/ Stripes Forever" and the congregation
! and clergy with the distinguished guests
passed out of the church on 10 the ad-
] joining lawn, where a tall white flag pole.
/ had been raised and stand erected from
which the speaking was done On the
stand. beside the clergy of the Catholic
! Church was Hon. Amos Cummings. OF
/ New York. who delivered the principal
! address; Hon. John W. Ross. Hon JOIN,
I y. Wight and Hon. J. Harrison John
/ son. Jr. After every one had been seated
on the sand. Father Moran introduced
. Commissioner Ross. Mr. Ross said that
/ he had been asked to introduce Mr.. Cum
ninss. but he could not let the opportu-
nifty go by without first testifying his be-
/ lief in the Ioyaliy~of the Catholic Church
and the devotion of its members TO the
! country. He then introduced Hon. Amos
! Cummings.
Mr.. Cummings is one of the members
/ of the delegation from the House and
/ Senate that visited Cuba on the invita-
/ ton of the New York Journal He said
| in part:
This country is at war with Spain. in
! the interest of humanity. The proyoca-
/ ton was the mOnstrous atrocities com
mitted in the island of Cuba, the victims
/ of whom are universally pitied. The
| Church is loyal TO the country Its feaItv
TO the Government is proverbial and its
love and devotion to the country is un-
| bounded. Love Of country is next to love
f! of God; in fact. love of country is love
/ of God. 1t was with feelings of horror
that We read in the news from Havana
! the stories of the reconcentrados, of the
/ frightful starvation existing in that city.
/ Every day carloads of the dead were
/ carried through the streets of the city
/ TO the outskirts where they were put in
! piles, not to be buried but for the busy
! buZzards to feed upon. When Miss Clara
Barton left the island she left tons of pro-
/ visions for these sufferers, but they re-
ceiyed none Of it. It was confscated and
used by the Spanish authorities, hospi-
cred Even Sisters of Mercy were put 70
! the sword. 1t is the residents of the rural
districts, the tillers of the SOIL who are
| thus suffering. Two hundred thousand
| nOncombatants, women and children, are
starving TO death. Hundreds have been
| robbed OF the food sent them from our
! own shores. The massacre of the Ar
menians paIes before this new and over
whelming horror of the world.
Americans have never cared for diplo-
matte conventionality. We are an origi-
nal people. original as the soil We
/ create our own diplomatic sentiments,
make our own textbooks of diplomacy.
! We have the conditions and force to do
! this and the intelligence TO pursue the
| course when laid down. When once we
/ start to pursue a course we do not care
what Europe says or thinks about it.
Il do not tell you what l hear but what
| I saw in the Inland of Cuba during nv
1 stay there as a member of the Congress
| siOnal delegation which went as the
! guests of the New York Journal Our
visit was not tour of pleasure but a tour
/ of horror. such as Dante made when he
went TO hell
The Flag.
Mr. Cummings here described the condi-
ton in which he found the island and its
inhabitants. He gave a history of the ten
years war and of the final compromise
between Maceo and Campos. He told of
| the beginning of the present struggle and
traced the progress made by the army
/ of liberation to the present time
Spain has sown the wind and under the
| flag you are going to raise she will reap