The National tribune., 1903-06-25

Gov. Hunt reports the greatest change
In Porto Rico, much greater, he says, than
could possibly have been anticipated. I'm
migration to the Island is growing, and the
great wildernesses of few years ago are
now becoming fine plantations. He thinks
that the Island will some day become one
of the most valuable portions of the Unit
ed States.
Just at this time, when the birthday of
the Flag, which is brighter than ever, for
all its 126 years, is being celebrated. this
about Porto Rico is a good thing to hear.
But-"Thus be it ever" Where the Flag
goes is bound to go justice and righteous
ness; and these make for good citizenship.
The American Flag is the greatest civilizer
in the world, because it is backed up by
correct thinking and right living.
President Roosevelt has new title. He
attended the meeting of the great German
singing societies called the Sangerfest, at
Baltimore, the other night, and was intro.
duced to the audience by the President OF
the Sangerfest as THE Father OF His
Country" The President laughed heartily.
In one way he has more right to the title
IMAM NaSnlUSIOu, lOT w dSiiiliSUoh nav
never 4 chick nor child, and Roosevelt mas
six pretty sturdy youngsters.
George Gather Bradley, of Rockville,
Md, died last week. He was member
of the Rough Riders, and the President
sent a beautiful wreath of white roses by
special messenger, to be laid on the Rough
Riders grave.
Chaplain Chadwick of the United States
Navy, has rendered his resignation to the
President. Father Chadwick was one of the
first to be appointed in the Navy, and was
Chaplain of the Maine at the time she was
blown up in Havana harbor. 1t IS said
that his reason for resigning is that he IS
to be appointed to one of the important
parishes in New York City.
Elizabeth Coombs Adams, granddaugh-
ter of John Adams, second President OF
the United States and niece of John
Quincy Adams, sixth President of the
United States, died last week in Boston,
aged 93 She was the daughter of the eld-
est son of President John Adams. As a
guest at the White House during the term
of her uncle. she became known as the
belle of the National Capital.
Flag Day was splendidly observed in
Washington. The commemoration OF Flag
Day was instituted in this section OF the
country by the Woman's Relief Corps,
and the newspapers of Washington are
unanimous in giving Mrs. Isabel Worrell
Ball, of Lincoln Relief Corps of this city,
the credit for inaugurating the observance
of the day in the District of Columbia. the
first program having been prepared by
Mrs Ball on June IA, 1895, when she was
Secretary of the Department of Potomac,
w. Il. G. Mrs. Ball is now w. X. q. MEM
ber of the Press Committee of the Ma
tional Council of Women, and National
Aid.
June IA, 1895, there were but three
school houses in the District Of Columbia
which had Flags flying over them, and
these had been purchased by the children,
who had brought pennies for the purpose.
Mrs. Ball vigorously prosecuted the pa
Flag Day, and was for several terms Pa
triotic Instructor of the Department.
Through the efforts of the Womap's Relief
Corps a bill was pushed through Congress
making an appropriation of 81 600 for flags
for the then 120 school houses. On Flag
Day of this year Mrs. Ball was able to
report that there were flags over each of
the 126 school houses of the District, and
that in each school house Flag Day exer-
programs Of music and recitations, with a
member of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie on each program, and member of the
Woman's Relief Corps on many of them
also.
Each of the nine Corps of the Depart
ment of Potomac. w. X. c., held public
exercises with fine programs, and the
Daughters of the American Revolution, for
the first time in the District. observed the
day by al fresco exercises. The officers of
the Department of Potomac, w. r. c.,
Joined with the Spanish War Veterans, by
their request, in presenting a fine program
in the afternoon of June 16, in park in
the suburbs. The program contained the
names of many Grand Army men as
speakers, among them being Past Senior
Vice Commander-in-C Chief John McElroy;
Col. Eugene Ware Commissioner of Pen
sions; Col Emmett Urell, COmmander-in-
Chief of the Spanish War Veterans; Maj.
Frederick HOdgson, Commander of the
District Mrs. Rosamond Il. Meacham,
President of the Department of Potomac
and Mrs. Isabel Worrell Bail, both spoke,
Mrs. Meacham for the part of the Wom-
ans Relief Corps had taken in establishing
the observance of the day throughout the
country, and Mrs. Ball telling ..The Story
of the Flag" illustrating its history and
growth by displaying number of the
earlier flags of the country, and then cut
ting the five-pointed star with one snip of
the scissors.
Even the churches in many instances
had Flag Day sermons, the Commander
of the Department, Col. Ivory &. Kim
ball, speaking of the significance of the
day at the Episcopal church. Flags were
= generally displayed, Mrs. Emma S. Ellis
Patriotic Instructor of the Department
and Mrs. Ball, Assistant, having made q
great point of urging this. District Com
missioner Harry l.. West presided oveI
the Flag Day exercises of the Relief
Corps and Spanish War Veterans, and ex
pressed the hope that the observance Of
the day viii become universal.
Many organizations are now steppint
forward to claim the honor of establishin,
the custom of observing the day, but i
remains fact that Col. George Balch, o.
New York City, q veteran of the war of til,
rebellion, began to teach the observanc.
of the day as far back as 1870, years be
fore anybody else had thought of it. HI
established free kindergartens in the cit.
of New York, for little foreign waits, an,
himself taught them to love the flag ant
observe with song and recitations its birth
days. When he died, he bcqueathed hi
labors of love TO the Woman's Relief
Corps. This organization of patriot
women took up the work in 1891, an
formally adopted it in 1893 at Indianapolis
Since then the Grand Army of the Reput
lie has joined hands with them, and tina