Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-26
THE AMERICAN FLAG.


"Never haul down the flag of the Ma
toni" to consider what it has been
raised and unfurled for. If for an I'M
worthy cause. or purpose, to haul it
down is duty that will honor it more
than to allow it to wave in dshonor
over glorious record in behalf of
human liberty. Better furl it than
desecrate it. Senator wellington, Of
Maryland Republican), addressing the
u. S. Senate in behalf of Philippine
freedom, said:
"And, sir, if the propositions adj
vanced III 1776 were true then and ap-
plicable to the American people strug-
Cling for freedom, have they grown less
forceful by the passage of IL century
and q quarter of time? And are they
less applicable now to Il struggling peo-
pie in the year 1900, even though they
dwell in the distance and are weak be-
ginners in the contention for national
life and the establishment of Il govern
ment by their own consent, SO long
denied them by the tyranny of Spain?
If 1T was truth then it is Il truth now.
1t has never until now been contro-
verted by Americans. The whole course
of their national life has been favorable
10 the practical application of the prin-
ciple thus asserted by the founders of
the Union. The aspiration OF our peo-
pie has been to have tho leavcn of
liberty rise and spread to the 'uttermost
ends of the earth. The flag of our
country has to the present never waved
but as the ensign OF freedom. Three
things there are that appeal with
greatest force to the heart and spirit of
Americans: The holy altar of our re-
igion, the sacred circle of our home,
the silent language of our flag. The
latter is the most powerful, for the
altar of religion is deserted, the circle
OF home is broken that Americans.
needing the appeal of their flag, might
march to battle and to death for the
preservation OF the liberties and fran
chises of their native land
Our banner was the ensign OF Wash
ington when he achieved independence
1t was borne by jackson when he pre-
served the liberty of the Union. 1t
noated over the volunteers who fought
for Texan freedom upon Mexican soil
1t survived In the civil strife from
which Lincoln emerged. bearing in the
one hand the renewed charter OF Fede-
raj government for Il reunited people;
in the other, the emancipation and en-
franchisement of n race. 1t was car
ried by our army rs it stormed San
Juan's Fill for Cuban rights. 1t waves
now in silent majesty over our great
Republic. It's very existence is dedi-
Gated To liberty. Its history proclaims
self-government and speaks of q con
tinuous policy OF encouragement and
support of libertyloving and aspiring
peoples. In the language of President
Mckinley himself From Plymouth
Rock to the Philippines the grand
triumphant march OF human liberty
has never paused
Shall it pause now? Shall the adj
vancing columns of freedom seeking
men be retarded and obstructed? Shall
we who have led the vanguard of the
march turn upon our fcllow-soldiers in
the cause and bar the way when they
would reach tho same vantage ground
we occupy and turn them back? Shall
there be n reversal OF that policy now.
and shall VIC in the future, demanding
Tor ourselves freedom, deprive others OF
that great boon because we stand n
giant OF strength and they arc weak
lings before US? If it Is our purpose to
discard the doctrines OF government
under which we have prospcrcd and
grown great, would it not be we'll to
ponder and carefully consider by tho
light OF the past is 1t illumincs the
marrow strip of the present and gives
q iitlul CLEAN into the futurc?"
If the Stars and Stripes of freedom
are to be prostituted 10 forciblc nnneya-
ton, criminal aggression. conquest. sub
1ugation and oppression for greed or
empire. rather let 1t be destroyed, or
buried with the patriots who fell be-
meath it In 'thc contest for freedom and
the struggle for independence"