Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-03

the second war for humanity it means
more to us than it ever did. 1t is a
sacred thing. A halo of glory sur.
rounds it. Glorious old flag. Emblem
OF truth. Pride of my youth. Old
glory. Long may it wave over the
land of the free and the home of the
brave. Ger the isles of the sea and
the ocean wave. Long as endures the
sun. Long as the rivers run. Wave
old glory, wave"
A FLAG PRESENTATION.
Beautiful Token Received at Adams
School.
surrounded with the influence of
patriotism, breathing the air of free
dom and enthused by the patriotic
thoughts that come sweeping over the
mind OF every loyal American, young
and old. on such days as the one to-
day celebrated, the scholars of the Adj
ans and high schools held very i'm
pressiye exercises this morning at
their respective schools in commemo-
ration of the day on which the defend
ers and builders of this grand nation
are remembered by the simple, though
beautiful tribute of the flower.
At the Adams school the exercises
We're made doubly interesting from
the fact that it was the occasion of the
presentation of flag to the school
the gift of Thomas Eaton, formerly OF
Ottumwa, in memory of the late Col
Bannister. The flag is of bunting and
ADAPTED especially for use as the off
ctal flag Of the school
At the high school the exercises par
took of the memorial character and
aside from the patriotic music furnish
ed by the high school orchestra and
members of the school, there were sew
eral excellent addresses delivered. Ma
jor A. H. Hamilton made the principal
speech of the occasion and in his re.
marks spoke of the lessons of love for
country and true patriotism, which all
s.ould learn with the greatest dill
gence.
The Adams School.
las long as our public schools are
maintained just SO long will our coun-
try live and be one of the world pow
ers,s said Captain S. H. Harper, in his
address delivered this morning at the
exercises at the Adams school at the
raising of the flag, which was present
ed to the school by Thomas Eaton,
formerly of this city in memory of the
late Col. Bannister
The exercises for the morning were
held in the omen air just in front of
the school building. Over 500 chill
dren members of the school were pres
ent and the exercises were held under
the direction of Miss Emma Fielder,
principal of the school The program
though short was most impressive and
we'll characterized to instill in the
minds of both old and young the ideas
and principles of patriotism.
The Program.
Under the direction of Mrs. Frances
Clark the program was opened with
the singing of the song by the school
Columbia the Gem of the Ocean" AT
the close of the song the flag was rails.
ed and as it spread out upon the breeze
in beautiful folds, over 500 hands were
raised in salute and from 500 voices
rang forth the pledge of allegiance to
the flag and the nation.
Capt. Harper Speaks.
After singing of the "Star Spangled
Banner by the school Captain S. H.
Harper was introduced and said in
brief as follows:
This is indeed a most inspiring
scene and am more convinced than
ever that the public schools of this
country are the bulwark of our free
dom. And believe that so long as
we maintain the public schools of our
country, just so long our nation will
be one of the world powers. feared and
respected by the other nations of the
earth. 1t does me good to look upon
that flag for it is the emblem of free
dom and of this nation for over 100
years. 1t is the emblem of right and
Justice.
To Col. Bannister's Memory.
s..Tnis flag is the especial gift to you
from Thomas Eaton, formerly resi-
dent of Ottumwa and has been pre-
scented to you in memory of the late
Col. Bannister, who for SO many years
was a member or president of the
school board. am proud that 1 may
claim to be one OF his friends for he
was one of Gods nobleman, patriot
ic soldier and know that you will
cherish and protect this flag in the
memory of whom it is presented.
Patriotic Lessons.
Ton this day it is well that we
should endeavor to learn some of the
lessons of patriotism, with which the
lives of our leaders should inspire us.
Where can we go to be instructed in
the duties of patriotism, better than
to the life of Washington. 1t was my
privilege a few years ago to visit Mt.
Vernon, the home of the Father of
Our Country stood for time in
the room in which he passed away.
stood beside his tomb. While there
thought Of his many deeds of noble
sacrifice and patriotism. saw him as
q young man enduring the hardships
of the life of frontiersman, at the
age of 20 commanding regiment of
Virginia militia, at Braddock's defeat,
placing his little command between the
terrified British and the Indians and
with the utmost bravery and fortitude
covering the retreat of the English.
i saw him a few years later assuming
command of the continental army at
Cambridge. in his retreat across New
jersey, While his generals We're dis