Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-16
THE FLAG.
President Mckinley Says 1t symbol
izes Loyalty to Government-Grea
Demonstration in His Honor at the
Catholic summer school at Pitts
burg.

/
burg.
Platsburg, N. T., Aug. 16-President
Mckinley made the first speech yester-
day that he has made in several weeks.
1t was the occasion of his visit to the
grounds of the Catholic Summer School
of America at Cliff Haven, only a short
half-mile from the Hotel Champlain.
Mr. Mckinley came to the Hotel
Champlain so that Mrs. Mckinley
might have the rest and quiet that
seemed to be necessary for her at this
time and also that he might get away
| from the worries and vexations OF life
at Washington and lay aside for a time
as far as possible the responsibilities al
the presidential Office. He has steadily
| refused all Invitations that have beer
showered on him to lay corner stones
attend picnics, dinners, etc Yesterday
however. he accepted an invitation to
visit the grounds of the summer school
! He had no idea Of making a speech.
He spent the forenoon in receiving
several callers. among whom were the
members of the entertainment sub.
committee of the Dewey reception com
mittee in New York, who urged him to
attend the reception to Admiral Dewey
at New York. Later he drove to the
summer school grounds, where he found
crowd that filled the big auditorium
| to overtlowing and extended out upon
the lawn in front. There were fully g.
| 600 persons present
| When the president appeared upon
the stage he was given an ovation. The
audience rose to It's feet and, waving
flags, handkerchiefs and parasols.
cheered itself hoarse. DIR. Lavelle, pres
ident Of the school, introduced the pres
| ident
! When the president arose he was
greeted by such a spontaneous outburst
of applause that he was forced to re-
spond to the cordial welcome, and he
spoke as follows:
Father Lavelle, Members of the
Catholic Summer Schooi. Gentlemen
and Ladies: l had not Intended to say
word, but l cannot sit III silenc. in the
presence of this splendid demons tration
! of your good will and patriotism l
cannot forbear to give expression of my
very high appreciation of the gracious
welcome you have given me here TO-DAY
and the more than gracious words of
commendation uttered by your presi-
dent.
Whatever the government of the
United States has beer able to accom-
plish since l last met you in this audi
ence chamber has been because the
hearts of the people have been with the
people of the United States. Our pat
riotism is neither sectional nor sectar-
ian. 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; 1t represents what we
believe and what we mean to maintain,
and wherever II floats it is the flag of
the free and the hope of the oppressed,
and wherever and whenever it is as
sailed, at any sacrifice it will be carried
to triumphant peace.
we have more flags here than we
ever had before. They are in evidence
everywhere. l see them carried by the
little ones on your lawn, and as long as
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 1t is seen; from our
schoolhouses, from the shops and the
factories, from the mining towns, and
it waves from the camp of the pioneer
on the distant outpost and on the lum-
berman's hut. and what it represents is
dear to his heart. Rebellion may delay.
but 1T can never defeat it's blessed mis-
sion of liberty and humanity l thank
You again for this most cordial and gra-
cious greeting
The president spoke slowly and deIih
erately and yet earnestly, weighing
every word carefully. Only once he
raised his voice and that was when he
said that the American flag. wherever
and whenever 1t is assailed, will be car
ried to triumphant peace" At this
point the audience let loose and cheered
him to the echo.
The speech-making being over, the
audience arose and joined in singing
The star-Spangled Banner" after
which the president shook hands with
all those present. who filed past him on
the STAGE.