The National tribune., 1904-06-09
FLAG DAY AND ITS SENTIMENT.
The Oldest the Proudes the ghest National Banner the
World

/ June II ~ rag LAY. - or1nS out your
banners, your flowers, your best speakers,
and let the whole world know that you
and Stars" - =
Adults get lazy and take too much for
granted on the subject Of patriotism, and
monest principles, because it would take
more than an average inluiring mind to
imbibe patriotism from the books in the
schools of the present day. Children
should be taught from the instant they
take joy in the bright colOrs Of our Flag
means more to the people of the Nation
it protects than does any other flag in the
world. More men have fought for 1t, more
men have died for it, than for any other
Flag that ever kissed the breezes of
heaven. Not for the cotton or silk or hunt
ing, but for the principles they represent
in the American Flag. 1t never pro-
tected a traitor; it never WAS struck in
defeat.
The child who learns these things will
remember the glorious truths In the hour
of the Nations needs, but with the adult,
late planted patriotism is a seed Of sloth-
full growth. The aliens who swarm upon
our shores have taught us bitter lessons
in their lack of patriotism and disregard
aye, even contempt, for the Flag and
the free institutions which it fosters and
| protects.
Realizing this ever-increasing danger An
old soldier. Col George Balch, began to
teach patriotism-the Constitution and
love Of the Flag-in the free kindergartens
of New York City, where the children Of
aliens and all tongues were gathered, to
instruct them in the ethics Of good citi-
Zenship. His labOrs were those of love
for the Flag which he had defended in two
wars but his fortune gave out
J Just abont this time, in 1883. the Wom-
ans Relief Corps was organized in Den
yer. in 1888. with 40 members. 1t took
up the work that Col. Balch laid down
the other shore.
The Woman's Relief Corps now num-
bers $4,000 women. and is the largest
compact organization of women in the
world, and by 100. 0.O00 the largest patr-
otic organization Of women in the world
The Woman's Relief Corps has expend-
ed since 1888, S., 900 900 in relief work
alone. 1t has turned AndersOnyilIe Prison
grounds into a beautiful park, and is con-
stantly improving and embeliishing the
grounds. 1t has founded fine National
Home for Army Nurses in Ohio.
Through its efforts and those of the
Grand Army most Of the Northern States
have made the flying Of the Flag above
the sehoolhouses compulsory.
The Woman's Relief Corps of the De-
partment of the Potomac in 1896 got
through Congress bill making it com
pulsory to fly the Flag above the school
houses of the District Of Columbia. and
also an appropriation of $1 ,OOO TO pnr-
chase Flags for the schooffouses. The
Committee on the Teaching: df Patriotism
then visited the schools, and saw. to it
that the Flags were unfuried. and that
no teacher lodged. 1t was very difficult
| to get the Flags put upaat FIRST. Many
| were the excuses. hut by, persistent effort
it has been accomplished. IN
| We have been instrumental in having
~ - - -
Sates, where dependent veterans and
their wives may spend their declining
years in peace.
OF course in all this work we have had
the aid and assistance oftthe Grand Army
Of the Republic. -ra.g
organiza tons of the Grand Army in the
United States. and about a.O00 local Re-
lief Corps. Each one of .kAese local or
CARNATIONS has n Committee on Patriotic
instruction. go it will he seen that with
the National and the Department Patri-
otic Instructor gnite an army Of men and
women are working to ,perpetnate the
principles for which our fathers fought.
Here are some loyal Flag Day senti-
| our Stainless Banner.
AN INVOCATION.
i BY ROBERT BURNS WILSON.
Great God, the stately ships that ride
Beneath our banner, on the sea
| The Nations heart-the Nations pride
These we commend to Thee.
These-with the brave devoted souls
! Whose dantiess courage. now must bide
The shock of battle where it rolls
And storms across the darkening tide;
| These We commend to Thee.
IL wars red wine must fill the cup
Which may not pass from us, then send
Thy strength to bend each spirit up;
Our stainless Flag defend!
i When wars red tempest sets the glare
Of flaming madness round us when
Death--clamoring in the circiing air
/ Whirls, threatening our defenders, then
Our stainless Flag defend.
Our stainless Flag, that never yet
/ DishOuor nor defeat hath lowered
Untouched. unclouded by regret
Keep, with Thy flaming sword!
Undimmed her stars, that never yet
Their iuster to shame's cause have
lent
Bright, like the stars which Thou hast
TO shine in Thy blue armament
I Keep, with Thy flaming sword!
Comrades. Join the Flag Of Glory.
Comrades, join the nag OF glory!
Cheeriiy tread the deck of fame,
Earn q place In future story,
/ Seek and win warriors name.
Yankee tars can laugh at dangers.
| While the roaring mountain wave
Teens with carnage-they are strangers
To q deed that is not brave.
May our hammered stars as ever
4 Splendidly Ger freemen burn, go,
Till the night Of war is over,
n Till the dawn Of peace return.
Song of 1918, Author Unknown.
The Old PlAgs.
BY EDNAH f. B. PARKHURsT.
Chelmsford, Masp
They stand like veterans IN their ranks
And they are veterans tod 49,
For fsrty years and more, ,lawe fed
Since these old flags were 4ew.
All, backward look across those years
And see the morn when. f6ey
, All fresh and waving in the Bfecze
Were borne to music gay, -