The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-06-10
Colonel Walker, of the @.
A. R., Orator of Day
at Central.
T. H. MCKEE LAUDS'
FREE EDUCATION
Col. Charles G. Long Tells What
Stars and Stripes Mean
Abroad.

Two local high schools. Central and
Business, this morning did honor 70
the day set apart by law as Flag Day
Music and apeeChes constituted the
larger part OF the exercises in both
schools. the addresses being principal
" on the ideals OF patriotism and the
inspiration OF the American national
emblem.
The exercises at the Central High
School began shortly after o'clock.
The pupils formed before their regular
class rooms and marched In a body TO
the assembly hail.
The han was decorated with huge
American flags and streamers and the
speakers table was draped In red.
white and blue.
Colonel Walker the Orator.
Principal Wilson. who presided,
opened the exercises with prayer. Col
onel Walker, commander of the Depart
men of the Potomac, G. A. T., was
introduced as the speaker Of the day.
He spoke of the value Of the American
rag, and the price that had been paid
for fl on the battlefield. It was we'll
selected emblem, he said, and its col
ors were possessed Of a meaning so elo-
ouent that no man could look upon II
unmoved.
''The price We paid for the flag" said
he els dear Millions of dollars and
thousands of men have been sacrificed
that the fag may wave on high today,
its stripes unsullied and its stars an
dimmed-
''Rut though the price We paid was
high. it was not one cent more man l.
the value Of the flag To nave our
united and independent nation today
passing on its triumphal march, undl-
vided. powerful and rich, Is a reward
worth any price
The next speaker was Col Thomas II
Mckee. He Landed the work or the
public schools in instilling into the
hearts Of the school children love OF
their native country and their nag.
Business High Exercises.
At the Business High School similar
exercises were held. The exercises were
opened with "Our Fatherland," sung by
the students. As. Perham. who pre-
sided. delivered q few short remarks
leading up TO the Introduction OF the
first speaker. Col Charles c. Long, an
American consul IN Egypt.
Colonel Long spoke OF the patriotism
American flag, and gave several person
al anecdotes as illustrating his meaning
He told Of the time he saved the Ameri-
can consulate at Alexandria from be-
ing burned TO the ground by standing
by It as the official representative OF
the American Republic. He also related
his experiences in exploring the Nile and
the almost unknown lakes IN Central
Africa.
He was followed by DR.. c. W. Gal
lagher. v.ho spoke on Patriotism" urg
ing a rational and intelligent love Of
country rather than a blind alteration
THE Nihilist,'' said he may be q
better patriot than the Russian Gar
though his aim be TO destroy. His un
derstanding of what he considers the
faults Of his country may be a truel
love than the blind love of the auto
acrat who rules IT,
I'VE should not be carried away By
a blind love OF country We should al
ways be alive TO dangers and be pre-
uared to meet and conquer them This
is the true patriotism"
The exercises were closed IN boti
schools with the singing of MY Coun
try, It's OF Thee