Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-09-03

so the fac which stood at first for
unity, fer liberty and fer independence
among cur veneTated forefatbers, nov
stands for progress. for civil and re-
lgiOus freedom, for the dearest hopes
and aspirations of every State and OF
al mankind. II stood then, and II
stands now for equal rights and for |
honest and impartial government. I'll
knows no race or color in citizenship. |
~ knows no North, no South, no East,
no West. Thank God II is at last the
flag OF all sections, and all classes on
land and sea. and floats in unapproach
able majesty over AL the States and
Territories alike.
Above ALL il stands for the might
and majesty of the great republic, and
for the continents, policy-the Monroe
Doctrine-which It has been well said
is the public law of the Western Hem
isphere, AS the last resort 1t stands
tor justice bstween citizen and citi-
zen. between the States and Territories.
and between the government at large
and its dependencies of every name and
nature. and wherever found.
And whether the flag follows the
Constitution. or the Constitution fol-
lows the flag as has been so much dis
clssed of late. one thing at least is
certain, it is the aegis and palladium
iof all who owe allegiance to il, or Gain
its protection, wherever they may be.
Whether at home, among the sovereign
States, or abroad in the islands and de-
pendepcies beyond the seas, it is the
blessed emblem, and should always be
the emblem and guaranty OF equal
civil rights and equal trade privileges,
because these are essential TO an i'm
proving citizenship and an increasing
prosperity, without which there can be
neither an advancing civilization, nor a
reassuring belief in the essential unity
and brotherhood or man.
These are not mere distractions
They are the fundamental aid eternal
principles ofAmerican government the
very essence and life-blood of American
liberty and American progress. And
we need have no fear. that they will
ever lose their force among the people.
or that the people will allow their
chosen servants to depart far from
them In the management of their per-
manent and paramount interests. You
may reply upon it, so much is safe But
the warning that eterna9 vigilance is
the price OF liberty, is older than
either the flag or the Con-
stitution 1t comes to us ha.lowed by
the sacrifices and sufferings OF those
who fought on this historic field, and II
lenjoins us ever to see to it that the lib
critics they achieved and transmitted to
MS. shall suffer no diminution, either
at our own hands or at the hands of the
public servants, or OF the public en-
cmy.
THE monument we dedicate here to-
day derives its chief value because IL
Is token and a pledge that the princi-
pies for which our fathers laid down
their lives are as dear to us as they
We're to them; that the spirit of liberty
and Justice, and OF eternal right, Is the
spirit which stil inspires our public
acts II is that spirit dwelling deep in
our hearts which viii keep us always
worthy OF our great inheritance. our
4 free Institutions. our Incompatible
! constitution of government. and
above all. our radiant flag, the Star
spangled Banner. which prehgures and
stands for the manifold and priceless
blessings we enjoy. and. IL we are trns,
to ourselves. shall enjoy forever. Flag
of my country. l salute thee! Thou art,
indeed. the
Flag Of the free hearts home and
hope
BY angels hands to valor given,
Thy stars have ,it the welkin dome.
And all thy hues were born in
! heaven.
Forever float that standard sheet,
Where breathes the foe but falls be-
fore us?
With freedoms soil beneath our feet,
And freedoms banner streaming o'el
I us"