The National tribune., 1910-07-07
MRS. JENNIE IOWA BERRY,
National President of the Woman's Re-
lief Corps, on Her Travels, Visits
Many Department Conventions-Ele
pant Social Functions.

Mrs. Jennie Iowa Berry. National
President of the w. r. c., has been alb
solutely indefatigable in her attendance
upon Department Conventions and in
functions in connection with the w. r.
C. It is quite time that the National
Presidents of the W. r. C. shall recog-
nize, as Mrs. Berry has, that IL it is
desired to continue our splendid organ
ization ii must enter very largely into
the social life of the communities where
the various Corps are located.
The National Presidents visit to the
Wisconsin Convention was most enjoy
able. 1t was held at Fond du Lac. with
more than 800 present. A big recep-
ton was given the night before the
Convention opened, the ARRANGEMENTS
for which were made by the local Corps
of Fond du Lac. All the prominent
town people were there, and 1t was an
elegantly decorated and handsomely
| gowned reception. AS is the custom of
the Department of Wisconsin, q Flag
was presented to the Fond du Lac High
School. The pleasant duty of making
the presentation was given to National
President Mrs. Berry. The National
President, who spoke in part as follows
was cheered to the echo by the students.
who sent up shout of pleasure and
admiration when the Flag, which is
large. handsome silk one with cord and
to the front. Mrs. Berry said:
Presents Flag.
"The Woman's Relief Corps. the larg-
est patriotic organization of women in
the world, an organization which stands
only for the best and most practical
form of patriotism, has as recognized
branch of its work the placing of flags
in the public schools and other institu-
/ tionS of learning
of
mans Relief Corps, comprising more
| than 1000 of Wisconsin's loyal women.
desires, in cOmmemoration of their visit
to this city and of the citys hospitality
| to them, to present to the High School
| of Fond du Lac a flag.
| The history of our National ensign,
the Stars and Stripes, is too well known
| to students to need reviewing here and
now.
Since Betsey Ross in her little brick
cottage set her shining needle in the
first scam of the first flag to this, the
morning of the Goth century, when it
flies over what we believe to be the
worlds greatest Republic, that flag has
been signal of relief to the oppressed.
a sign of freedom to the bound, a prom
1Se of peace and plenty to the unfor-
tunate of every land.
Its 13 stripes are there, as in that
| flag of the brick cottage, but it's 13
SttfS are grown 10 40, each brilliant
| bearing eloquent tho silent witness of
our country's wonderful growth. To
the casual observer, the miscellaneous
user of the flag, the adding of another
| star to its field seems a simple matter:
| but practically the addition of that star
means to the Government an entire
change of equipment, costing many
thousands of dollars in labor and ma
ter1al. The moral significance of the
added stat cannot be well computed.
for 1t means to the world one more
point of light in our constellation of
States, another star in the crown of a
matchless Republic,l one more proof of
that principle which the Union soldier
fought, suffered and died to demon
strate-that only in perfect union is
there perfect and unassaiIable strength.
In presenting this flag to- the Fond
du Lac High School the Woman's Re-
lief Corps would also give to the stu
dents these thoughts: That no tinge
of commercialism should be associated
with the Stars and Stripes; that the
lndiscriminate use of our National COL
ors is not the best form of patriotism;
that the best and most logical place for
our flag Is high up and afloat.
And we would have this flag teach
the younger citizens to whom we owe
the preservation of this Nation, that has
become pre-eminent in all that goes to
make Nation truly great. We would
have them know to whom we owe the
fact that our flag now floats over an un-
divided country. We would have them
think upon their power of recompense,
and, thinking, make of themselves clean
cltlzens, worthy to direct and sustain
Government that was saved at such
Infinite cost. We would have the flag
teach them that once the Union vet
eran was, like them, his country's hope.
IN troubled times was its defense. and
now should be the object of its pride.
And as with every setting sun he pitches
his tent one days march nearer home
we would have them put forth helping
hand to make smooth the remaining
marches of this journey.
Its Place High Up.
Il have said the best place for the
flag Is high up. / add that no object
lesson in patriotism is so effective as
the sight of the flag ahoat. AS the en-
blem of our country high significance is
in its every fold. holy symbolism in its
every line and tint. Let us admire it
for the bravery of its red, revere it for
the eternal truth of its blue. love it for
the blamelessness of it's white, honor it
for Its stripes, symbols of that rugged
nucleus from which sprang the stars.
Did anyone make our Flag? Ah,
no! With colors that will not fade,
BY sinuous sweep and by deathless glow
1T is us that the Flag has made
And it whispers to-day to each star
told State.
You must hold me high; you must
keep me great"'
"Mr. Superintendent, in the name of
the Relief Corps OF Wisconsin, / present
thru you to the High School of Fond du
Lac this flag. It Is our dearest wish
that all who behold it may be given the
larger vision whereby they may per-
ceive the fullness of its meaning, and
tnat all who pass beneath it may pass
also into deeper sense of their re-
sponsibllity for the well-being Of this
great Republic"
The Superintendent of Schools re-
ceived the flag in patriotic speech in
behalf of the school.
Iowa Convention.
The Iowa Department Convention
was the largest in the history of the
department, with 424 Delegates pres
ent. The Convention was held in Des
Moines, and the crowds were enormous
that came to spend the week. It being
the home State of the National Presi-
dent. she was crowded with social func-
tions and high honors all week. Com
Chief and Mrs. Van SAINT and
Gen. Grenville M. Dodge and his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Montgomery, were among the
distinguished guests. Mrs. Marie Bash
am, Department President, shared her
honors nobly with the Department
commander at the campfire, where
many hne speeches were made, that of