The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-23
GIFT OF A BEAUTIFUL FLAG
.THE STAR sPANGLED BANNER
SUNG By THE VAST AUDIENCE.
srs. Mckinley Improving So Rapidly
She May Start for wash
ington on Saturday.

pars at the Mechanics Pavilion this after
noon. The President arrived at the pavil-
ion about o'clock, having been driven di-
rect from the Scott residence. The Presl-
dent was met at the pavilion by a process
sion OF 1900 Sir knights from this city and
other cities of the State in full regalia and
escorted inside the building, where 1900
people had already assembled. The ap
pearance Of the President on the platform
caused a demonstration that shook the
large building Gen. w. II. Barnes opened
the programme with a graceful speech in
Producing President Mckinley Following
the Introductory address of General Barnes
a choir of $50 voices sang 1.-The Templars'
Prayer" with the accompaniment or a
band of sixty pieces, and the effect was
most impressive. Then President McKin-
ley responded TO the address of welcome
He said:
General Barnes, Sir Knights. Ladies
and Gentlemen-I thank you for this fra
ternal welcome. / had no conception that
/ was to be treated TO such scene as Is
presented here to-day, and l want to
thank my brother Masons and their farni-
lies and their friends for this more than
gracious meeting, which is quite unique,
differing from any of our receptions in the
long journey which we have made from the
capital city OF the Nation to this city by
I'VE have every variety of association
In the United States. In this land of lib
erty We enjoy the freedom of association
tOgether Tor worthy and noble purposes.
We have our fraternal societies: we have
our church associations; we have our DO
litical connections. but We all belong to a
brotherhood to which are strongly at
tached, which commands our love and de-
votion-the brotherhood of American citi-
zensEip under common Constitution en-
gagged In securing the highest rewards for
free people by pursuing the paths of duty
and honor. lGreat appause.l A brother
hood that represents the highest hopes,
not OF the people OF the United States
alone. but We believe the best hopes of
humanity. A brotherhood that can never
be broken. 1t stood a great trial thirty
nine years ago. 1t was tried in that awful
crucible OF war, and the fraternity dedi-
Gated TO freedom gloriously triumphed
So now il Is closer, dearer, more sacred
than Ii has ever been before in all our his
tory. lGreat applause.l 1T is a brother
hood devoted TO human rights and the de-
velopment of the best that is in man.
American liberty does not change its quail
ity, and American freemen do not change
their character wherever they go or wher-
ever they may reside, whether on the sea
or on the land. 1t is that quality and char
acter that scatterS its benefits wherever
IL goes. Liberty. freedom of conscience
equality and opportunity are its pass
words. IGreat applause.l
What noble conception IL was Of the
fathers. The founding of this government,
not upon the will and judgment of the few
but upon the will and Judgment and con-
science of the many, government in which
all the people of every State participate in
citizenship that is equal everywhere,
equal citizenship I'm equal States in union
that has never been equaled. IGreat ap-
plausel
And. whether American manhood and
American liberty go 70 Cuba or to Porto
Rico, or 10 Hawaii or TO the Philippines, it
raises the same standard lgreat applausel,
proclaimS the same principles that for Il
century and a quarter this self-governing
people have enjoyed And it is this govern
ment, my fellow-citizens. this government
or the people and by the people, that is
committed TO the safe and sacred keeping
of the men of this generation and the
women or this generation Igreat applausel;
plausel, and good citizens everywhere,
Masons or no Masons, will forever pre-
serve this jewel OF liberty in the family of
nations. IGreat applause.l
Il thank you more than l can tell You
Tor this warm welcome. i shall carry away
with me the incidents of this nemora ble
reception and the sympathy which you have
been kind enough 10 show me here to-day.
lGreat applause.
presented no gift that could have been as
greatly priced as the beautiful flag and /
assure General Barnes that l will not lose
H. tlaughterl, and pray that while ii is in
my hands. with the aid of the people of the
United States, II will never lose any of It's
glory" IGreat applause
Every Knight and Mason was provided
with a small American flag. They were
waved incessantly all through the eXer-
oises. The feature of the programme was
the presentation Of a beautiful silk Amer
lean flag TO President Mckinley The flag
H. mounted on a AIanzanillo staff at the
head OF which is a spearhead OF gold. Fol-
lowing the presentation of the flag 1.-The
Star-spangled Banner was sung by the
audience and there was a patriotic demon
stration which will be long remembered
by all who witnessed it. This closed the
exercises for the afternoon and the Pres
ident returned TO the Scott residence.
The Mechanics Pavilion. which can ac-
commodate l5oo0 persons, was filed 10
overfiowing tonight when President Nc
Kinley arrived TO review the Uniformed
Legions Of the League of the Cross an or
ganization Of boys and young men who are
pledged 10 temperance and morality There
was a competition drin between several
companies OF the league for a valuable
trophy. and the judges OF the proficiency
OF the cadets were officers OF The regular
army. President Mckinley was received
with great enthusiasm. His brief cnmmen-
dstion of the work of the league was ear
nestly expressed and enthusiastically re-
ceived.
Mrs. McI<inIey's Condition.