The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-01

was about to put the question. when a
delegate from virginia claimed the door
and pcrsevered iE holding It.
Professor Minor said In part:
thought Of making a few remarks
about the Flag called forth by the rus
port OF Colonel Prime; / was Eestltating
about It when New Jersey spoke; I
thought II was more important than that
j should say what was In my mind l
would like to say II now with Inc per-
mission OF my compatriots. 1t Is about
the Dissertation OF the Flag; Mr.. Prime
said he would like 10 have few more
Legislatures OF the Southern States pass
Ing legislation against Its dissertation.
1 He named New Jersey; did not name
Virginia. but said he wanted some moro
Of the Southern States. / have had cores
pondence with Mr.. Prime on this sub
icct and though I do not claim airy legis-
lation. nor any credit for what / did,
have stood before two committees OF the
Legislature of Virginia and urged the
passage of a law. the law sent TO mo, to
prevent the Dissertation OF the Flag.
What do my legislators think they think
and say. I'VE horror the Flag; we do not
dcsecrnte the Flag; we need no leglsla-
ton 10 protect It; It would be supernu-
ous''
l then said, well gentlemen 1t will do
no harm; pass the law for the sake OF
comfy and OF avoiding miscorstruction
OF their feeling towards the Flag. And
they declined It, and our legislature has
been too busy with what were considered
moro important matters to give you a
law to prevent the Dissertation OF the
Flag.
Moreover, Mr.. President whatever my
people may thirk Of consolidating this
government. however much may from
the bottom OF a warm heart concur with
them against the consolidation OF the
federal government, they say that the
federal government ought TO take this
matter In hand ard as long as they de-
cline the States have nothing to do with
IT.
Your Flag Committee have for several
sessions appealed TO Congress In vain,
and the late Speaker of the House of Re-
representatives. was opposed to your pro-
posed legislation.
One of the worst abuses of the Flag.
mentioned in the printed matter that has
been sent to me. was the employing of
1t by a bowdy house In Manila. for the
purpose of drawing the patronage OF
Americans What State legislature could
reach case like that?
My people use the Flag for decoration
and not for dissertations; but do not hesl-
tate to mix other Flags with it. ON what
they regard as proper occasions.
Now. sir. | have some things to pro-
pound TO this gentleman from Washing
ton: this gentleman gave us splendid
display OF the progress ard the present
state OF our country. How did you get
that supremacy? Why, without this leg
islation. If the Flag was desecrated, 1t
still defended itself, 1t Justified itself; and
we have had this growing country with
ali its magnificent displays In every de-
partment of industry, beautifully set
forth ir percentages by the gentleman
from Washington City. We obtained all
that grand height without these laws; let
us 20 on; let us 90 on; we need not fear
whether the State passes a law or not;
we are bound to go on under that Flag:
and assure you that my people accept
II, ard my people do nothing but honor
IT, (Appause) ! am now one of the
octogenarans OF this society. and my
friends in Virginia do sometimes pay
little attention to the old school; but
cannot prevail upon them ir their pre-
sent state of mind to pass this law: and
I say there Is no use in 1t. not one par
t!cle. because we have honored the Flag;
we do revere the Flag and we will con-
arue to do 1t, legislation or not"
4 Prof Minor concluded with a pathetic
with Francis Scott Key and his speech
was roundly applauded.
New Haven is fine city, and the Con-
gress were taken to many interesting
places besides Yale University.