The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1905-06-30
HALF MAST DON'T co
CITIZENS OF WELEETkA MUST
RESPECT OLD GLORY.
Judge Raymond Makes Grand Stand
play and Much Ado About Moth
ina"-Persons Flying Flag at
Half Mast TO Be Arrested.

Tho town of Wcleetka, in the
creek Nation, is especially sore be
cause of the enforcement Of collec-
ton of the tribal tax and some days
apo announcement was made that
there would be a Fourth Of July ccle-
bration In that town and that because
of the action of Secretary Hitchcock
the flag would be at half mast The
news spread like wild fire, and there
has been no word of contradiction.
An order was issued by Judge Ray
uond chief Justice OF the Indian Ter
ritory. 20 United States commission
crs that in case such action was TAX.
un in any town in Indian Territory,
the men responsible should be arrest
cd
In speaking OF the matter Judge
Thurmond said: Il have watched this
matt r closely and believe that It is
dangerous. Every newspaper In In
dian Territory has published this
story and only one has vigorously op
posed II and there was no answering
Sentiment to its opposition. II seems
the very air in Indian Territory Is
surcharged with this feeling of dis
like, and no man knows To what end
H. will carry the uuthlnklng and IRE.
sponsibla persons who seem TO be
agimting IT, | am also sure that
there is a good deal Of patriotism In
this country and If anyone tries To
nolt a flag at half mast there Will be
fighting and blOOdshed There would
be riot and no one could forecast
Ms dimensions. have consulted
many men of good judgment and after
listening to their advice have issued
this order / know that should there
be "A flag iioated pt half mast and riot
follow it would be the talk Of the
whole United States and nothing
could so greatly injure the chanc =
for statehood for Indian Territory,
and that is a thing we are all anxious
for and just as soon as possible
The order follows.
III any citizen attempts to fly the
nag of this Union at half mast any
where in Indian Territory on July &
because he was compelled to pay his
tribal tax upon the order of tha sccre
tary of the interior, which tax the
Federal courts have held to be legal
H. should be a. rested on the spot
Because "A citizel may not agree with
the action of any branch of this gov
einment 1t Is no reason why h. should
insult the flag of our common country
Ia which every citizen owes profound
loyalty and respect, and furnishes nl
excuse for hanging at half mast th'
stars and stripes, representing IN.
power and glory of the republic
"lf every citizen should be permit
Ned to hang tn flag at half mas
every time he failed to agree with tn
chief executive of the nation. the rul
ing of some cabinet Office. some ac
of the congress of the United States
or some ruling of the courts and thui
insult the emblem of our sovereignty
the man whose patriotism is aliy'
would resent il; riot would ensuc-
bitter feuds ariSe-friendly relation.
between different sections Of tn,
country be disturbed and universe
unrest be the brood of su h "a vicious
practice To adopt such cours
would lead to anarchy and violat'
the peace of this country 50 much dc
sired by all good citizens"
copy Of the above order was sen
90 every commissioner. every CierI
and every recorder in the district.