Omaha daily bee., 1909-06-16
ELES OBSERVE FLAG DAY
Soldiers and Ex.Soldisrs Are Guests
Of Order at orpheum Thester.
ADDRESS BY A. W. JEFFERIs
BRttle-scarred Flag Carried by GEN
ersl Manderson's Regiment
Through civil war Center
piece of Decorations.

Participated In by veterans OF the civil
and the Spanish-American wars, officers
Of the Department Of the Missouri and Of
Forts Crook and Omaha, and by patriotic
citizens generally, Flag day anniversary
exercises, commemoraung the birth Of the
nations emblem l32 years ago. were neld
Monday evening in the orpheum theater un-
der the auspices Of Omaha lodge No. ~,
Benevolent and Protective order Of Elks.
The theRter was beautifully decorated
with the national colors, a large floral
flag being the centerplece until General
Charles F. Henderson, amid the cheers Of
the people who crowded the play house,
marched down the isle and up on the
stage with the tattered and torn emblem
which was carried through the civil war
by his regiment, the Nineteenth Ohio Vol
unteers. Scared by many battles, the flag
bore little semblance to the bright colors
used in decoration. but II Is the flag that
led the boys Of 81 to victory on many a
bloody battle field, and. a tear trickIed
down the cheek of the general as he told
OF it's service and Of the lives given up In
its defense.
A patriotic program composed OF band
music, vocal selections and addresses was
given under the Dlks' auspices, closing
| with the singing OF America by the en-
tire audience.
Address of A. w. Jefferis.
A. w. Jefferis made the principal address
and told of the birth and the early days
OF the flag, OF the battles II had seen in
the war of the revolution and the war OF
the rebellion, but" he said, Through It
all the old flag floated in the breeze as
II conscious that It's symbolic power would
once again r~einviKorate and peTpetuate In
the hearts and minds OF all the people the
elements Of love for its national character,
and for the common liberties and personal
rights OF men, their brotherhood and COM
mon destiny.
The future glory Of our flag rests with
our people, said Mr.. J%efferis. 1t is Tor
us and those who come after US to say
what halos shall cluster about the folds
of the starry ensign OF our nationality
Tonight It inks together by indissoluble
ties through the nations past and future
the whole mighty family OF its living sons
and daughters. II speaks at once of
achievement and aspiration. 1t stands for
memory and for home. 1t is a pledge, a
symbol Of our common liberties. God for
bid that in this land Of the free and the
home Of the brave there shall be a little
lowering Of patriotic virtue a little blunt
ing OF national conscience, a little falling
off in collective honor OF the people, or
a little denial OF the rights and liberties
of mankind. Our land must be the coun-
try of human dignity and human liberty.
Real of Liberty.
Liberty is the sweetness of mans life
wherein lies the power of his growth and
development. The loss of 1t Is the loss
of light and sunshine, the loss of LIES
best PORTION. Not until the star spangled
banner rose in the sky Of this republic OF
the west was liberty caught up in human
ity's embrace and embodied in a greal
and abiding nation"
Mr.. Jefferis closed by quoting from J. G
Holland:
God give us men! A time like this de.
mands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and
Men whom the lust of office does not Kill,
Men whom the spoils of office cannot
Men Who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor, men who will moi
Men who can stand before a. demagogue
And damn his treacherous batteries
Tall men, sun Drowned, who live above
the fog
In public duty and in private thinking
George p. Crenk, past grand exalted
ruler OF the Elks, gave a beautiful tribute
to the flag; Judge Leo S, Estelle recited
"Old Glory; Past Exalted Ruler Lysle /
Abbott gave a history Of the flag; off.
GERS OF the lodge gave the altar service
and music wAs = furnished by Firms
Greater Omaha band, a mixed quartet
Master Russell Tetard and Miss Riggs