Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-15
HISTORY Of FLAG
IS TOLD To ELKS
Members of No. SO Take Part in
Impressive Ceremonies Com
memorating Old Glory
EMERSON PRINCIPAL SPEAKER
Stars and Stripes Owning Rod of
Bravery, Says Orator in
Eloquent Speech

Los Angeles Elks held flag day ex-
ercises in their lodge rooms last even
ing, 500 members of the order and
women being present. The Introductory
exercises We're conducted by Exalted
Ruler Edmund B. Drake, assisted by
the other lodge officers. The officers
constructed a large red, white and blue
floral bell of roses, lilies and Violets.
The room was then darkened and an
electric star shone out above the bell.
A prayer was said by Chaplain w. a.
Woods, following which Henri La
Bonte sang Annie Laurie" The lodge
officers then performed the altar serv-
ice, following which the flag record
was read by the exalted ruler 1t is
law with the b. P. O. e. that the flag
history must be read instead of men,
orized and recited. This rule is fol-
lowed to insure every word of the
history being spoken.
After the singing of "Auld Lang
Syne" by the audience, Willis George
Emerson eulogized "Old Glory" and
spoke in part as follows:
Exalted Ruler and Brother Elks:
You invite me to pronounce eulogy on
the Stars and stripes.
What a wondrous flag it is-what a "di-
vining rod" of bravery. 1t is the bugle call
of daybreak, the purple forecast of the
morning, the angel of peace following the
long chaotic night of fear and bondage, the
incarnation of the dreams and songs. the
poems and prophecies of all the ages past
and is an inspiration without comparison
among the nations of the earth.
Ii is the banner of both the calm" and
"the Storm" and for the downtrodden and
oppressed. All the world halls 1t as friend
for it is the rainbow of peace. the olive
branch to humanity the symbol of human
progress declaring that all men are born
free and equal before the law. and have q
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness.
Above it Washington rode before 1t Corn
wallis surrendered, and under it Bourgoyne
laid down his arms.
other days may tower in history like
golden shields rejecting the unsheathec
swords OF conquering knights, the splendol
of courts. the conquest Of kings and the
march OF monarchs. but this day rises OF
the pedestal of the centuries-for 1t is the
birthday of our immaculate ensign, Ole
Glory, the Stars and Stripes.
Our forefathers, strong in courage anc
fortified with right, hurled themselves
against the bulwarks of English tyranny
and her strongest citadels were palsted anc
crumbled into nothingness before the
radiant sword of justice and the Haunting
folds of this old flag that kissed the riotou'
winds of victory amid the powder smoke o.
fercest battle. Today England is our friend
1t was our flag. this royal signet, and the
great principals for which 1t stands. tha
challenged England's respect and admlra
tion. Indeed. my brother ElKs, destroy
belief in these mighty principles and yol
destroy the dynamcs of our national pro
gress and the genius Of our civilization.
This beautiful flag we love so well Is
gem of greatness the shibboleth of honol
and herosm, though battle stained with th'
sacred blood of our slain.
Its crimson stripes are suggestive OF th'
blood that has been freely spilled for liberty
but is more radiant and more beautiful FOL
it's baptism. Begrimed and inVncibie II
war but beautiful and imperishable II
peace. 1t stands for conscience, justice
and mans humanity to man; it salutes th'
centive of highest patriotism to every loya
centive of highest patriotism TO every loya
heart who claims protection under our I'D
erty-loving government, and is the goidet
promise of universal brotherhood, one aho
inseparable, forever and forever.
In all the earth there is not another IN
sigma that carries such an unlllthg IN
huence for good. that embodies such prihcl
pies of justice, that inspires such sentiments
of chivalry tells such marvellous stoTS
of national power. progress and prosperity
as this wonderful flag of ours
It guarantees the sacredness OF the ballot
that scepter OF American sovereignty. II Il
the lighted torch" of our history, the glory
of our civilization and protection to the
humblest home beneath its folds.
All hail to this glorious nag; TINS voucher
of victory, the flag OF washington, OF Jef'
ferson of Hamilton, the flag of the immor'
tai Lincoln, of the silent victorious Grant
of the martyred Mckinley; the flag which
order and constitutional authority, north
south east and west; and likewise Is
solemn protest against all wrong, whether
social, political, fraternal or reiglous' tne
nag which gathers into its ample folds tne
illustrious glory of vanished years and alsc
is radiant with prophecies OF still greater
glories that are yet to be woven in the loom
Of n mighty future. strong and valiant
hands will ever rally to it's support. Arms
of iron and noble hearts. tender as a south
wind yet flled with the hre OF pussiine
patriotism will ever protect it from trailing
in the dust. -
what we need, my brother Elks, to in
sure the future of our national supremacy
and to forever keep this grand old has
kissing heavens pure air OF freedoin' ls
courage and determination to protect and
keep unsullied this beautiful escutcheon OF
bonor-men whose waking moments are
flled with hercest struggle for the right
men whose hearts are attuned 70 the su,
biime symphony of God of country and oi
home.
Give Us Men!
Strong and stalwart ones
Men whom highest hope inspires,
Men whom purest honor fires
Men who trample self beneath them
Men who make their country wreathe
them,
Worthy of their siresl
Men who never shame their mothers
Flks who never fail their brothers,
True however false are others
Give us men--I say again
And yet again.
Give Us Men!
The exercises were brought to close
nv all singing america"
Each person was presented with
small silk flag and during the singing
90 tho national anthem all present