Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-15
!: !: FAIRFIELD.
Flag Day Duly Observed
atlawrence High School
By Presentation Of Flag by
the Women's Relief Corps.
Accepted by Principal Pratt, With
M Eloquent Address.

Accepted by Principal Pratt, With
Wy Eloquent Address.
| Saturday, June 49, will be long re-
| mcmhered by those who were present
at the Lawrence High school building,
and by those who are brought in con-
tact with the interests and influence
of the school. The day was observed as
! Flag day, the central feature being the
| presentation of beautiful flag to the
Lawrence High school by the local
branch of the Womans Relief Corps.
The exercises We're carried out under
the most suspicious surroundings and
conditions. The spirit shown by the
citizens of the town and of the neigh
boring city, Waterville, was mitch in
evidence and greatly appreciated by
those in charge. The program:
Anvil Chorus, School Chorus
stars of the Summer Night" Chorus
| tecitatior-."rhe Flag Teri Begin
Recitation-'Our Flag" Aine NORM
stars aud Stripes Forever" Chorus
Recitation-"Old Glory Esther Drew
old Glory" Chorus
Address, supt. of Schools c. S. Sewell
Mrs. Mary f. Gilman, president of
the w. II. c.. in few well chosen
words presented the gift of the corps
to the school. saying in part: in be
nalf Of the Woman's Relief Corps, /
present to you this flag, hoping that
it will cause the coming generation to
respect and protect the same in such
a noble manner as those who have gone
before"
The flag was accepted by the school
through the principal of the school.
Harry f. Pratt who said: I'm behalf
of the Lawrence High school 1 thank
you for this splendid gift. 1t is most
appropriate in coming from you, who
are living representatives Of the spirit
which its presence and possession and
appreciation should give. Not alone for
its intrinsic value will we prize it, not
only as a thing of beauty and as gift
from our friends who have our inter-
osts at heart, but we will cherish it.
We would entertain those sentiments
were it a mere work of art an adorn-
ment to our magnificent building. |
What it is. its history, what 1t stands |
for, constitutes its real value. From it |
we should learn the lesson which you
hope we will learn. A lesson greater |
than any contained within the covers
of our text books, the lesson of pa
triotism. Patriotism! There is magic in !
that word. 1t is an inspiration only to
repeat it. Through ages the human
race has burned the incense of admira-
ton and reverence upon the affairs and
at the shrine of patriotism. The most |
beautiful pages of history are those
that recount its deeds. Fireside tales,
the outpourlngS of the memories of
people, borrow from it their warmest |
glow.
"Poets are sweetest when they re-
echo their whisperings. orators are
most potent when they thrill it's chords |
to music. Next to God is country, next |
to religion is patriotism. We are pa
triotic people, but in this age OF COM
mercialii;m and mad race for material |
gain, we are apt to drift away from |
the phrer sentiments. and loftier ideals |
possessed by those in the past Strug- |
gled to make this great nation what |
it is. Independence day in many places |
has become a day of vapid oratory, |
meaningless noise, and time of Ii |
cense, from the popularity of sports |
and the general tendency to enjoy the
holiday all to oft, the day we decorate |
becomes the day we desecrate." And |
SO it is peculiarly appropriate that we.
as q school, should receive this flag, the |
national emblem. the material object |
which symboliZes the patriotic senti- |
ments of the heart. We shall Cndeavor |
to incuTcate and stimulate and remem-
Der with gratitude this gift. Again in |
behalf of the school. l thank YOU"
All repaired to the beautiful lawn of
the Lawrence High, where the conclud- |
ing exercises were performed. |
The benedction was pronounced by |
Rev. j. II. Roberts of the Methodist !
church. Punch and cake We're served in
one of the reception rooms to the chill
dren. the members Of the corps, the |
teachers and invited guests. All re-
paired to the beautiful lawn, where the
concluding ceremonies were perform
ed. "1'he Star Spangled Banner was |
sung by the chorus and audience, and |
as the chorus was reached the flag |
was unfurled. The moment was impress |
sive. Several fire crackers We're touch |
ed off as salute to the colors.
The success of the day was in a large |
measure due to the hard work of the |
patriotic instructor of the corps, Mrs |
William S. Crawford, and Miss Grace |
Drummond and Miss Fannie Cate, |
teachers of the schools.
Louis Sebastian Walsh, bishop of the |
Roman Catholic church of this diocese,
visited the local church Sunday for the |
confirmation of the children. Thirty
five received the rites. In his address
to the people the bishop paid a tribute |
~, %1,o l;el, ND Ia,