The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-05-31
HONORED DEAD.
Jersey City Paid Tri-
butte to Her Fall
en- Heroes.
COLUMBIA PARKS FLAG
Inspiring Addresses Made
By Patriotic Citizens.
MAYOR HoOs ACCEPTS
Clubs and individuals Turned
Memorial Day Into
Holiday.

Columbia Park, Greenville, was thronged
yesterday morning with an enthusiastic
crowd, eager to witness the unfurling OF
the new flag which had been purchased
by the people of the west side of Green
vile to adorn their popular pleasure
ground. 1t was an ideal day, and for once
the keep off the grass" signs Were un-
needed The spirit of patriotism was
abroad; everyone had come prepared to
cheer the nations emblem and to listen to
oratory. Thirty police under the command
of Inspector Arehiboid and Captain
Nugent kept the large and enthusiastic
crowd in order.
The programme was rendered without a
hitch. On the platform sat President
Henry Gotthard of the Flag Committee,
to whom much credit is due for the sue
cess of the project; City Collector Robert
Davis Mayor Edward Hoos Finance
Commissioner Henry Lembeck, Street and
Water Board Commissioners Anthony
Hauck, James Nolan, Ferdinand Heintze,
Director of the Board of Education Geo.
Witt, the Rev. Charles j. Allen of the
Greenville Reformed Church, the Rev. E.
C. butcher of the Linden Avenue NJ. E.
Church. Edward Fry, ex-Judge Robert
Hudspeth, ex-Judge Henry Puster and
Thomas Coogan. Drawn up in line near
the pole was a provisional company of
the Fourth Regiment, commanded by
Captain Manuel Liera, who had marched
from the Armory to participate in the
Aserviee.
The exercises were opened by President
Henry Gotthardt, who introduced the Rev.
Charles E. Allen. After offering the open
ing prayer Mr.. Allen spoke He was fire.
quentIy interrupted with applause. He
said
six score and three years ago almost
to the hour, there was enacted on the
floor of the old State House in Phiiadel-
phia a decree, the Significance of which
grows grander as the Nations years
mount up. That decree set forth the de-
termination of our fathers 10 have an
American flag The second Continental
Congress chose and instructed a commit
tee TO design a suitable flag for the ma
ton The speedy action was due in large
part of the efforts of the immortal Wash
ington. 1t was he who made a pencil
sketch of our flag which was submitted
to that skilled needlewoman, Betsy Ross,
with the request that she make flag in
accordance with the design. On June IA,
1777, the flag was adopted by Congress as
the flag of the nation. For forty-one
years the flag remained unchanged, but
at the end of that period Congress was
forced to provide for the admission Of
new States. 1t was then that it was de-
cided to add a new star to the flag for
each new State Since then thirty-two
States have been added to the Union"
At the conclusion of this speech the
beautiful flag, 20x30 feet, was slowly
hoisted to the top of the pole by mem
bers of the Color Squad of the Fourth
Regiment. At a signal from President
Gotthardt the release cord was pulled,
and. the flag swung to the breeze, scatter
ing at the same time hundreds of minia-
ture American flags, which luttered to
the ground, to be pounced upon by the
young Americans, who were out in force
After a salute of twenty-one bombs had
been fired to the flag, President Henry
Gotthardt formally presented the pole
and flag to the city. The gift was re-
ceived by Mayor Hoos, on behalf of the
city He said:-
tIt is peculiarly fitting that this mag
nificent Liberty Pole should be dedicated
and accepted by the city on day so
fondly cherished and so dear to the
hearts of the American people, presented
on day when young and old alike eager
ly pay homage to the heroes who fell
in the holy cause of Liberty and Union.
This staff and flag tell and will continue
to tell the story of Greenville's patriot
ism in language sanctified because of the
memories which will be perpetually as
sociated with this day. AS Mayor of the
city, and in her behalf, most cheer
fully accept your patriotic gift and I
promise YOU that the city will see that
it is properly cared for. All those VINO
have aided in this undertaking deserve
the greatest praise and in our city's be-
half I thank you most sincerely.
Everyone apparently has the privi-
lege Of criticising your Mayor, but OF
one thing rest assured, and that is that
every action of his official life has mad
for motive the best interests OF the
city, and no man appreciates more tnan
he any undertaking which tends to en-
nance or beautify this city or TESTIFY 10
the progressive sSirit of her citizens. !
Ex-Judge Robert Hudspeth was next in
troduced. He said in part:-"It -
peculiarly appropriate that the ceremonies
we are engaged in should occur on this
day-the day consecrated throughout the
length and breadth of the land TO honor
ing our patriot dead, that glorious and
knightly host who saved the nation from
destruction and by their blood and self
sacrifice aided in perpetuating this great
republic. It is fitting thstt the flag, which
they loved so well and for which they
gave their hearts blood, should on this
day of all days be unfurled on high, 10 be
seen by all men, the symbol Of our
sovereignty. the emblem of our nation
ality.
9 Old Glory how beautiful thou art,
rana ..a rurs11 rrriad Ra,., efiu-