Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-16
OLD GLORY CONSECRATED
Patriotic Service Yesterday Afternoon at St.
Dominic's Catholic Church.
Addresses by Commissioners Ross, Rep
resentatfve Cummings and Father
MOran-Loyalty of Catholics.

An American nag was raised yesterday
afternoon to the top of a flagstaff erected
In the lawn about st. Dominics Church.
Religious services marked the occa sion and
there were appropriate addresses by Com
missioner Ross, Representative Cummings
and Rev. Mr. Moran, the pastor of the
church. A large crowd witnessed the ex-
ercises and there was a great deal of en-
thusiasm manifested Music was furnished
were begun in the church at o'clock the
band. which was stationed in the choir
gallery, played Hail Columbia
After a prayer, which constituted the
conservation service, Father Moran made AL
address, in which he said that while the
mission of the Catholic Church is one of
peace. and she is slow to raise her voice in
time Of war, she teaches men to become
good citizens. ready at all times to lay
Gown their lives for their country. The
ritual of the church prescribes. he said
ceremonies of peace and also of war, one
of which is the conservation of the flag of
the country to the God of Battles.
Stands by America.
He added that "the church stands by the
country; and well does she do 81. The
church has been with this country since its
birth, and is still with it-ssme say an I'M
welcome guest. Be that as 1t may, the
church has grown and prospered with the
country, and 1t owes much 20 America, Just
as does every individual citizen within our
boundaries.
Next to the growth of the country has
been the growth of Catholicism in the
United States. In times like these. let me
tell you also. the children of the Catholic
Church will be found fighting side by side
with men Of every denomination, or no de-
nomination at all, ready. f need be, to
fhnir lives for ha nd in
tegrity of this glorious land of freedom
He then read the address recently pub
lished and approved by Archbishop Mar
tinelli which, he said, gave clearly the po-
sition of the Catholic Church in this coun-
try.
Charges have been made" concluded
Father Moran, that because we are war
ring with a so-called Catholic nation the
Catholics of America would not aid this
government. If such were true-which.
thank God, it is motive would be unworthy
the respect Of our fellow citizens. The bes:
evidence that these charges are false is this
magnificent and patriotic gathering here
this evening""
America was sung, with hand accompan!-
ment, and then procession was formed.
which proceeded out of the church 10 the
vicinity of the flag staff. Here a platform
had been erected and upon IL the invited
guests were seated. Among them were
District Commissioners Ross and Wight
Representative Cummings and Mr.. J. Har-
Commissioner Ross. who made a brief
speech, In which he congratulated the
church and South Washington upon the
demonstration. He went on to say that he
had never had any doubt as to the loyalty
of the Catholic Church. and he knew that
the Catholics of America are as true in
their devotion to institutions and to the
nag of this country as any class of citizens
Address by Mr.. Cummings.
He then introduced Representative Cum
n::ngs, who spoke of the loyalty of the
Catholic Church.
1--WE live he added, "in a country that
Is now at war, but not without provoca-
ton, and it has been decrced that we shall
triumph. Humanity cries out against the
about this crisis, and God himself assures
us of victory"
Mr.. Cummings spoke of the destruction
of the Maine, which he characterized as a
midnight slaughter. He said the people
or America wanted to put an end to the
Cuban atrocities. He gave a brief history
of Cubas struggle for freedom and referred
to his recent visit to that island which he
said, was a tour of horror, such as Dante
made when he went to hell.
Flag Unfurled.
Upon the conclusion of the address the
flag was hoisted to the top of the pole the
halliards being handled by Misses Mar.ori
Wimsatt and Bernardine Fitzgerald The
band played The Star SpangIed Banner"
and the crowd cheered and Joined in the
singing.
After returning to the church the bene-
diction was pronounced, which closed the
a IDt