The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-16
THE FLAG HIS THEME.
President Mckinley Addresses the
Catholic Summer School.

Plattsburg, n. Y, Aug. 16.-President
Mckinley. accompanied by Private Sec
retarv Cortelyou. visited the Catholic
summer school of America, at CHn Ha-
ven, on Lake Champlain- yesterday A
frfumphal arch of eVergreenS lnteflaced
with American flags had been erected
at the entrance to the grounds and the
auditorium and many OF tne cottages
on the grounds had been gaily decor
Hted with flags and bunting II honor OIL
the presidents visit. The road to the
summer school grounds was lined with
people anxious to get a glimpse OF the
president. AS the president entered the
auditorium the spectators arose and
sang a song composed for the occasion
and set to the music of Donisettis Ell
Puritan"
Rev NJ J. Lavell, president of the
Catholic summer school, introduced
President Mckinley. Father LavelPs
speech was frequently interrupted by
hearty applause, and when during the
course of his 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 who are
here today" the audience cheered en-
Enthusiastically.
AS President Mckinley arose the aud
fence applauded, cheered, waved flags,
handkerchiefs and parasols, until he
made motion for them to desist. He
had not intended to speak In fact, this
IS the first invitation to appear in public
that he has accepted since he arrived at
the hotel.
He said: It had not intended to say a
word. but can not sit in silence in the
presence of this splendid demonstration
of your good will and patriotism. What
ever the government of the United
States has been able to accomplish
since I last met you here has been be-
cause the hearts of the people have
been with the government of the Uni
ted States. Our patriotism is neither
r7n q
in our political and religious beliefs,
but we are united for the country 10y
atty to the government is our national
creed. We follow. all of US, one flag.
It symbolizes our purposes and our as
piratiOns; it represents 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,
where ever it is assailed. with any sac
rifice it viii be carried to a Triumphant
peace. We have more flags here than
we ever had before They are in evil
dence everywhere. saw them carried
by the little ones on your lawns. 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 millions, even from our
places of worship; it is seen from our
school houses. from the shops, the fac
tories the mining towns, and it waves
from the camp of the pioneer in the dis
tant outpost and on the lumberman's
hut in the dense forest 1t is found in
the home of the humbIest 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
The president spoke slowly and delib-
erately in a moderate but earnest tone.
Only once did he raise his voice. when
ne said that the flag, whenever it is
assailed viii be carried to a triumphant
peace" The cheering which interrupted
his speech at this point fairly shook the
roof, and he was unable to make him
self heard for nearly a minute.
At the close of the presidents speech
the audience Joined singing The Star
SpangIed 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 LaveIl then left
the building and walked around the
grounds, followed by the crowd.
After they had inspected the grounds,
the president and Mr.. COrtelyou rezen-
tered their carriage and were driven
ha1 %0