Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-09-04
UNWILLING WAS
GREAT SUCCESS
Rain Failed to DampOn ArdOr
Of Patriots
WAS INSPIRING OCCASION
Spot Where the Flag Was First UR-
iHrled in Battle Appropriately
Marked
WAS INSPIRING OCCASION

Within a few feet of Cooch's Bridge
and in plain view of the old historic
Cooch's mansion, where Cornwailis
made his headquarters after he had
caused the Continental forces to
evacuate the place, the monument
marking the spot where the star
spangled banner was first unfurled in
battle, was unveiled amid patriotic
speeches and music. The weather was
unfayorable, but there were fully 1900
persons in attendance, and the patriot
ism OF men, women and children was
aroused TO such pitch that they stood
ankle deep in mud, and during slight
storm to witness the crowning of Del
a@are's third triumph. As General
James II. Wilson said "she was the
FIRST to sign the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence, first to sign the COnstitu-
tion of the United States and it was
only fitting that Delaware should have
the honor of being the first to carry
the National emblem into battle.
CROWDS ARRIVE EARLY
Long before it was time TO begin
the ceremonies there was a big crowd
on the ground. They arrived in single
and double teams and by the hack
load, from all parts of the State. There
were about 300 teams there. 1t was not
until the special train Of nine cars,
packed with people, that the ceremony
attendant theunveilingof themOn-
ument was begun. There had been a
heavy rain and the ground was very
muddy, but this did not seem to worry
many persons. The chief object was
TO see that the program was properly
carried out. and regardless of mud and
water it was carried out in a patriotic
and excellent manner. There were
persons present from Maryland. Penn
sylyania, New York and Virginia, who
assisted in making the event success
full
BEGINNING or INTERESTING CEREMONIES
II was about o'clock when the i'm
posing figure Of Chief Justice Charles
b. Lore appeared on the stand and
waved the great crowd to silence. and
after the hum and buzz had subsided
the Chief Justice made a brief address
asking for attention. He promised
them that the speakers would be as
brief as possible.
The Chief Justice, Governor Hum
and his staff, General James H. Wilson
the Hon Walter S. Logan, of New
York, President General Of the Nation
al Society, Sens OF the. American Rev
olution; E. w. Warfield. of Maryland
president of the Maryland Society
ION,
Robert G.. Houston, of Georgetown
Henry c. Conrad. former city solicito
of Wilmington: William T. Smithers
of Dover; ]. Wilkins Cooch and severa
others occupied seats in the speakers
stand. Immediately above where tn
speakers stood, was a shield, sur
mounted with a portrait of Genera
George Washington, loaned for the Oc
casion by Bishop Leighton Coleman
1t is a reproduction of the best au
thenticated portrait of the Father c
our country
BISHOP COLEMAN DELIVERS INVOCATION
After being introduced by the Chic
Justice, Bishop Coleman delivered th
following Invocation:
o, Almighty and everlasting Co
who art the Creator and Ruler OF a
men, who fashionest their hearts an
considerest all their works, who alOr
hast perfect wisdom, strength an
holiness, hear us, we humbly beseeC
Thee. as we pray for Thine especi
blessing this day upon our country al
nation.
Grant to us. and to all the people
his land, the spirit of ready obedien
to Thy holy will and commandment
that. walking devotedly in Thy fes
we may, under Thy gracious prote
tion, dwell continuously in righteou
ness and peace.
Bless the President of the Unit
States. the Governor of this State. a,
all others in uthOrity-endowi
them with wisdom and integrity, a
with a due sense OF their accountab
ity TO Thee.
AS we now commemorate the fl
unfurling in battle OF our nation
flag, so we implore Thee to grant Il
it may never be unfulred save in I
cause of truth and equity. When
look upon it may its blue remi
US of the truer blue of Thine own
alted sky. and we be led to seek
more earnestly that Heavenly Xii
dom in which they who have serV
Thee faithfully here shall shine as
stars in the hrmament for ever g
ever.
Save this Republic and Comm
wealth from evil and designing m
from selfshness and corruption in
social and political life, from all
and crime. and vice.
Prosper every good cause and p
pose. overturning every bad one TO
loncr CT Thy holy name. Give to tn
who labor. and to such as emp
them. the spirit Of fairness and g