The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-11-04
WHAT THE FLAG MEANS.


that "the flag is the symbol of repub-
lican institutions, enlightened liberty
and ultimate justice to all under it's
folds" 1t then adds that if the Nc
kinley administration intended to en-
slave any Asiatic tribe it Should be
discredited and defeated" The Times
believes that the flag once raised should
not be hauled down, but that it should
remain ''aloft, unexplained, undaunted,
imperial-imperial in the sense that it
represents the will OF mighty nation"
1t is unnecessary to say that the Times
is in hearty sympathy with the imperial
policy Of VIM. Mckinley, and that it
knows his policy will be the leading
issue in the approaching national cleo
ton when it will be decided whether or
not the imperial flag in the Philippines
will represent the will OF a mighty ma
ton We believe that it will not The
National Watchnan OF Washington, D.
c., explains in loftier and nobler strains
what the American flag means, and we
reproduce what it says, not only for the
benefit OF the Times correspondent, but
Tor all Americans who desire that it
shall remain the symbol OF liberty for
the oppressed people OF the earth. In a
leading article Our esteemed contem-
porary at the national capital patriot
ically says:
The glorious Stars and Stripes, our
country's flag, is dear to the hearts Of
all Americans. For more than a CEN
tury it has sytnbolized a government
the corner stone Of which was the
rights Of man. In contradistinction to
all other flags, it synbolized liberty and
equality before the law TO all beneath its
folds. The victory OF Washington and
the glory Of the flag inspired the world
with hope, and from all the civilized
nations the oppressed sought our shores
to enjoy the blessings that were the
common lot OF all beneath its ample
and protecting folds.
During the life of our nation, until
the advent Of the present administration,
that flag has been honorably borne upon
all fields, and never until within the
past year has it been dishonored by its
custodian. To the everlasting disgrace
of President Mckinley will his name be
remembered as the first to insult and
outrage the American people and lovers
of liberty everywhere by hosting the
American flag, not only over unwar-
ranted fields OF carnage to assert att
thority, purchased of but never deliv-
cred by the most cruel monarchy OF
Europe against an unoffending people
guilty OF no crime but love OF liberty
but to raise that sacred emblem over
the slave pens and farems OF the Sulu
Islands and incorporate the lowest and
vilest government OF the earth into our
system, thus disgracing the flag OF our
fathers.
The lypocrtical cant OF Mckinley
about the flag he has dishonored is
powcrless to deceive any but those who
choose to be blind All intelligent
Americans are nauscated by the fulsome
guilty prattle OF this offender about the
flag OF our country which he has dis
graced. He feels the necessity of a
thick vcneering OF flag and patriotic
illusions to screen from the public view
the guilt and shame, which let us hope
his conscience constantly reminds
him OF.
Verify, nc protcsteth too much.
A guilty conscience needs no accuscr.
The president and his party seek to
screen their misdoings behind the flag.
According to the Presidents speeches
the flag does all the mischief, and he
simply backs up the flag. According to
his statements, it was the flag, and not
the President, that paid twenty millions
OF dollars Tor the privilege OF conquer
ing the Filipinos. He would have us
believe that the flag took General Bates
and $4,000 over to the Sulu Islands to
bride the Sultan in order that the flag
might float over his harems, and that
President McKinley's duty is simply to
maintain the flag wherever it goes. By
this method the President and his party
hope to escape the judgment of the
people upon their misdoings, but they
will fail
The old flag has ever foated proudly
over the dome OF the capitols of state
and nation as an emblem OF Christian
civilization. 1t has never been the
emblem of military prowess nor the in
sigma OF conquering legions as was the
flag OF Rome. 1t has been recognized
throughout the world as the one and
only flag that hoated over men, all OF
whom were equals before the law. 1t
was rAce;ved 1,v nooe cfr,,oo1sner