The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-06-01

| of the Military Order of the Spanish
American Veterans. The attendance al
the session was the largest ever known
| and enthusiasm and patriotism were
| manifested on all sides. The costly silk
| flag which has been the subject of much
| attention and mystification as far as
| its donor was concerned, was presented
| to the members of the order by well
| known local gentlemen who have foren-
sic ability Many questions were asked
| by the boys and they were anxious to
| learn who donated the flag, and their
anxiety was relieved Tuesday night.
The flag is a beautiful present from
| Commander Charles r. Miller to the
order which has been organized through
| his efforts and to which he has paid
considerable attention in order to
| spread its membership and create a
| feeling of comradeship and closer ties
of friendship between the veterans of
| the late conflict. The flag evidently
| cost a large sum of money and 1t GER
| tainly is a most handsome emblem for
the use of the order.
Senior Vice-Commander NJ. A. Fisher
called the meeting to order shortly be-
fore o'clock with brief remarks. He
the presentation address. Mr.. Bow
spoke as follows:
Captain Fisher, members of the or
ganization known as the Spanish
American Veterans: II / had had the
naming of it, l would have said the
American-Spanish war veterans; I
would have transposed the terms. / do
not like the idea Of anything Spanish
coming after the word American, or
before it. I want to remind you, my
friends, that on tomorrow, from the ris-
ing of the sun to its setting, that
thoughtful hearts and willing hands
will do honor to the countless heroes for
deeds nobly done. Tomrrow night thou
sands of soldiers will sleep beneath bow
ers of blossoms, fitting emblems for
their love of country, their loyalty and
their bravery.
The peace which they secured nearly
forty years ago remained unbroken un-
til within the last three years, when this
country was again called upon to take
up arms in the name of humanity. And
we are reminded of the great truth Of
that old saying: History repeats ITSELF
For just as freely as they gave their
services nearly two score Of years ago,
you gave yourselves now. And when
the call went out for volunteers, from
every state in this great nation of
states, from the north, from the east,
from the west, and, thank God, from
the south, went up the cry: Take me,
take me" and right willing and anx-
ious there marched forth an army of the
north and south, the blue and the gray,
shoulder to shoulder, making as brave
and valiant an army as our flag ever
waved oveE.
And this city that we call our home
has had the distinction of having sent
to the war the largest number Of men
of any city in the United States in pro-
portion to it's population, a fact of
which every citizen may feel justly
proud. And I can attribute that fact to
no other cause except that it is due in
my humble judgement entirely to the
military spirit that was developed here
by the Ohio National Guards. (Ap-
plause.) An organization made up of
some very brave young men Of this
city, without reward Of hope thereof,
giving of their own personal time for
the purpose of acquiring the tactics Of
a trained soldier.
A person who has always taken a
great interest in military affairs and a
great interest in this organization, has
felt that you ought to walk and march
beneath the folds of silken flag, and
/ have the very truly pleasant duty to-
night to present to you in behalf of
Major Charles r. Miller, this flag, the
grandest emblem in Gods universe, a
counterpart Of which, by your manhood,
your bravery and your patriotism was
planted In the soil of despotism and
cruelty, and with the help Of a Supreme
Being on high, that flag shall never be
torn down. Great applause.)
Sir, now present to you this flag, and
as you gaze upon the broad stripes and
the bright stars, may 1t ever remind you
of the greatness of your nation, Of your
own loyalty and of the affection of the
donor, Major Miller. CHEERS and ap-
plause.)
At this juncture, Mr.. Fred II. Metz, a
comrade, stepped forward and received
the flag, saying:
"Mr. Bow: On behalf of the society of
the Spanish-American war veterans, /
desire to accept this beautiful flag, so
kindly donated by Major Miller. and
at the same time to extend to Major
Miller the sincere thanks of the society
for this most valued gift.
I'VE recognize this flag as the emblem
of great nation; a flag that is dear to
every American and every lover of a
free and popular government. 1t is
the flag of Washington and Jefferson, of
Harrison and Perry, of Scott and Tay-
lor, of Lincoln and Grant, of Schley,
Shafter and Dewey. For this flag mill
lions Of our countrymen have enlisted
In the service of our government and
fought the battles Of the republic.
Whenever and wherever that flag Is in
suited, the sons of the republic will
rise to defend 1t, no matter how weak
or strong the nation that causes Of
fense.
ut was in defense Of this flag that the
members Of this society rendered their
services to the country and have always
stood ready to protect 4 and ready to
serve their country In lines of peril.
We shall always bear toward the donor
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