The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-06-23
FLAG DAY ADDRESS
Delivered by Willis George Emerson at the B. P O a.
Hall No 80 Los Angles California, Evening
of June ID 1910

out of its fiery heart, liberty was born
and upon the rugged anvil of suffer-
ing and hardship. was forged and ham
mered into shape, our young destiny
I while above the stiffling clouds of
1 smoke arising from battlefields OF
carnage and death, a new nation ap-
peared and placed new flag on the
map OF the world-"Old Glory Irwin
chile and imperishable
In all the earth, there is not another
insignia that carries such an uplifting
influence for good, that embodies such
principals of justice. that inspires
such a marvellous story of national
power, progress and prosperity as this
wonderful flag of ours. II guarantees
the sacredness OF the ballot, that
sceptre of American sovereignty. 1t
is the lighted torch of our history,
the glory of our civilization and pro-
lection to the humblest home beneath
its folds.
Ny brothers, l cannot speak the
word Home" without pausing for
brief moment TO emphasize its signi-
lficance Home. What sublimity is in
the word. 1t is the hearthstone of the
heart. Destroy it, and locality, coun-
try and the world becomes a void
and without form. Home is sacred
place; Home is where loved ones
gather around the hearthstone, where
Christian graces abound. where the
handmaidens Of happiness, love and
sympathy are ever present. 1t is the
Holy of Holes and the sanctuary
where man is safe from the worlds
temptations, perils and alarms
where spiritual charms are developed.
Home! Be it ever so humble" is the
anchor of good citizenship and nation
al life 1t is the strength of our be
loved country, the bulwark of our in
stitutions, the pride of our civilization
and withal is protected and guaran-
teed by this patriotic symbol of liber-
ty because no human being can stand
beneath its folds and not be free.
| All hail to this glorious flag; this
voucher of victory, the flag of Wash
/ ing, of Jefferson, of Hamilton,
1 the flag of the immortal Lincoln, of
| the silent, victorious Grant, of the
martyred Mckinley, the flag which
floats on Freedoms breeze for law,
and order, and constitutional authori-
| ty, north, south, east and west, and
! likewise is a solemn protest against
all wrong, whether social, political,
| fraternal or religious. the flag which
1 gathers into its ample folds, the illus
trious glory Of vanished years and
also is radiant with prophecies of
still greater glories that are yet to be
woven In the loom of mighty future.
Strong and valiant hands will ever
/ rally to its support Arms of iron and
! noble hearts, tender as south wind
/ yet filled with the fire of pulsing
| patriotism. will ever protect it from
trailing in the dust.
/ What we need, my brother Elks to
insure the future of our National
i Supremacy and to forever keep this
grand old flag kissing Heavens pure
dIf OF Freedom, Is meH-mdnly men,
purposeful men. Men of courage and
determination, to protect and keep
unsullied this beautiful escutcf con OF
honor-men whose waking moments
are filled with fiercest struggle for
the right, men whose hearts are atun-
ed to the sublime symphony of God,
of country and of home.
.