Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-08-16
SPOKE FOR THE FLAG.
President Addressed Catholic
Summer School.
1 PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION.
Father Laveiles Introductory Remarks
and the Neat Demonstration That Fol-
lowed Inspired the President to Make

PLArTsBURG. N. Y, Aug. 16.-Presi-
dent Mckinley, accompanied by Pri-
vate Secretary Cortelyou, was driven
down TO the auditorium on the grounds
of the Catholic Summer School of
America. at Chff Haven. on Lake
Champlain. American flags were much
IN evidence. He was given a warm
greeting by the crowd.
As tine president entered the Audi
torium the spectators arose and sang a
song composed for the occasion and set
to the music of Danizetti's s eel Puri-
tani."
Rev. NJ. J. Lavelle, president of the
Catholic summer school, introduced
President Mckinley. Father Lavelle's
speech was frequently interrupted by
hearty applause, and when during the
course of mis- remarks he predicted that
the ''many millions Of people recently
brought under our protectorate would
make American citizens as loyal, as
sturdy and as true as those that are
here today the audience cheered en-
Enthusiastically.
As president Mckinley arose the
audience applauded, cheered. waved
flags, handkerchiefs and parasols until
he made ID motion for them to desist.
He had not intended to speak. But the
warmth Of the greeting which was &C.
corded him evidently caused him to
change his mind. He said:
Father Lavelle Members of the Catholic
Summer School, Ladies and Gentlemen:
had not intended to say word, but can.
not sit i'll silence in the presence of this splen
did demonstration of your good will and pa
triotism. ] cannot forbear TO give expression
to my very high appreciation of the gracious
welcome you have given me here today and
the more than gracious words of commenda-
tion uttered by your president. Whatever the
the government of the United States has been
able to accomplish since L last met you here
has been because the hearts of the people
have been with the government of the United
States. Our patriotism is neither sectional
nor sectarian We may differ in our political
and religious beliefs, but we are united for
country. Loyalty to the government is our
national creed.
We follow, all of US, one flag. 1t symbolizes
our purposes and our aspirations: it repre-
sents what we believe and what we mean to
maintain, and, wherever it floats, it is the flag
of the free the hope of the oppressed and,
wherever it is assailed, at any sacrifice it will
be carried to a triumphant peace.
We have more flags here than we ever had
DclOIt- 1uts dIt III every WucTc. i
saw them carried by the little ones on your
lawn. and as long they carry these flags in
their little hands there will be patriotism in
their hearts That flag now floats from the
homes of the millions even from our places of
worship; it is seen from our schoolhouses,
from the shops, the factories, the mining
towns, and it waves from the camp of the pi-
oneer i'll the distant outpost and on the lum-
berman's hut in the dense forest. It is found
in the home of the humblest toiler, and what
it represents Is dear to his heart. Rebellion
may delay but it can never defeat its blessed
mission of liberty and humanity. Thank you
again for this most cordial and gracious greet
ing.
The. president spoke slowly and de-
iberately, in moderate but earnest
tone. Only once mid he raise his voice,
when he said that the "f1ag, wherever
it is assailed, will be carried to tri-
umphant peace" The cheering which
interrupted his speech at this point
fairly Shook the roof, and he was un-
able to make himself heard for nearly
minute
At the close of the presidents speech
the audience joined in singing the "Star
Spangled Banner" and they sang it
with will. The audience then formed
in line and filed across the stage and
shook hands with Mr.. Mckinley.
The president and Father Lavelle
then left the building and walked
around the grounds followed by the
crowd. After they had inspected the
grounds, the president and Mr.. Cortel-
you re-entered their carriage and were
driven back to the hotel
Among those who were present at the
reception were: John S. Wise, General
Guy V. Henry, Colonel Edmund Rice,
Congressman Sibley of Franklin, Pa,
Smith NJ. Weed, Monsignor James
chancellor of the archdiocese
Of Philadelphia; Colonel William NJ.
Brine of Wilmington, Del, and Rev.
John P. Chidwick, former chaplain of
the Maine.