The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-17

Veterans OF the Civil war-From you
by whose self sacrifice the boundaries
or our country were kept intact, the state
receives most reverently these symbols
OF your courage.
For nearly a century after the founding
OF our nation there remained upon its
flag one stain, the blot of slavery That
blot 40 years ago you sponged out with
your blood. yhe duty you then perform
ed was sad and cruel one, but unavofd-
able.
To you and TO your SUCCESSORS. in time
OF peace as wen as In war. is entrusted
the future OF our beloved country; that,
In the words OF that great Republican
and true Democrat, Abraham Lincoln.
government OF the people. by the people
and for the people. shall not perish from
tho earth"
Comrades, your ranks are thinning
fast, soon all will have passed away, but
the memory OF your deeds will never die.
Soldiers OF the Spanish war-The flags
you bring Will be placed side by side
with those OF former wars. They will
stand there as reminder that patriot
ism and duty are virtues which belong
not to the past alone, but have been
transmitted to this generation.
ON behalf Of the state / accept all OF
these precious relics and promise that
they shall be guarded and cherished with
the utmost care
May that kind Providence which has
watched over our country's destiny for
the past century and n quarter stay with
us unto the end.
GEN. ROGERS GRAFTON.
Patriotism is the soul OF the nation.
Men suffer. ana die II need be, for the
common veal Children are taught from
infancy to love their country and TO rev.
erence Its flag. Old and young, alike,
may be unable TO define In words exactly
what constitutes the patriotic ardor that
, exctes their admiration and kindles their
| fervor but, nevertheless. the sight OF the
symbol OF their countrys nationality al
ways fills them with enthusiasm
| Emblem OF the pride and glory and hon
| or OF the nation we delight 10 fling our
national ensign TO the breeze and trust
| fully look up to II with love and rever-
ence. ne children look up to their parents
| for safety and protection. There Is no
| measure or respect too great for us 20
show ~; there is no peril too dangerous
| 10 incur In It's defence. II repres ~nts what
| we hold dearest in life. IL stands In our
minds for liberty and the pursuit OF hap
| piness: for the safety and well being OF
wife. and children. and home. and all
that is precious to us: for the memory
and traditions OF our ancestors; for the
greatness OF our nation. our pride in It's
past. our hope I'm its future. Its glory is
our glory, and no sacrifice In it's behalf Is
too great for us 10 make.
FLAGS THAT MOVE SOULS
While the nag OF our country I'm the alb
stract thus stirs our feelings. there are
special flags that move our souls 10 their
inmost depths with the most ardent and
enthusiastic devotion. Round them cluster
the tenderest associations. They were car
ried on critical occasions mid dangers
and sufYerings that tried mems souls
refer to the old battle flags OF our own
beloved state which we see before us We
have borne them hither this day 10 de-
posit In the most prominent place in this
most stately structure In our whole COM
monwealth, where they will ever remain
TO bear witness TO the honor and heroism
OF the people OF Rhode Island.
The silent folds OF these cherished
standards rent and tattered though they
be, are full OF eloquence As we stand I'm
their presence we are thrilled with the
most sacred and patriotic emotions They
speak 90 US of the struggles and suffer
ings OF other days, and they will endure
as rich leeacy OF inspiration when the
exigencies of the future shall summon
coming generations TO initiate the exam
pie OF their ancestors
Time will not permit us on this occa-
sion 10 attempt 20 depict the stirring
scenes IN which they have participated.
OF 70 recount the gallant acts that have
been performed I'm their defence Even |
n fuu enumeration OF all the battles they
nave passed through would weary YOU |
heterence to but few must suffice
on FIELDS OF GLORY.
Those two white standards. Wonder IN
me night. belonged TO the Rhode Island /
iine' and were carried by our revolution |
airy ancestors ~ Yorktown, and on ths /
y,ner hard Fought fields OF glory Though /
me heroes who bravely followed them
,nroush blood and battle. and triumph- /
antly brought them home On safety nav.
long since passed from earth, vet their /
Naior has eonrecrated these venerable