Evening journal., 1911-05-29
Flag, Gift of G. c. Morfon for Mt Pleasant School

~
Members of the Grand Army Of the
Republic, together with delegation
from Diamond Council, J. o. u. A. NJ,
on Saturday afternoon visited Mount
Pleasant school. in Mill Creek hun
dred, and raised the Stars and Stripes
the flag having been presented by
General George c. Morton of this
city.
The exercises at the school consist
ed Of singing while the Grand Army
Assemblies" and the "Star Spangled
Banner" and two recitations by the
scholars.
The speakers were introduced by
William n. Highfeld. The flag was
presented on. behalf of Mr. Morton by
Department Commander William NJ.
Mendenhall and was accepted on be-
half of the school by Julian G. Walk
er, an attorney OF Wilmington Rep
reseptative Richard G. Buckingham
gave a short talk on "Old Glory" and
Mr.. Morton spoke on the pleasure he
felt in being given the privilege of
presenting the flag
Mr.. Mendenhall Speaks.
In presenting the flag Commander
Mendenhall in part said:
Mr. Chairman, Children and Pa
triots OF this District No. "a. OF Mill
Creek hundred, and my comrades Of
the Grand Army of the Republic:
Being placed here under the peculiar
circumstances TO make an address 10
you, hope that the critics will handle
me carefully. As | have not been
educated as an orator, I do not eX-
pect to give you a very fiowery talk.
But am certainly pleased to be here
this beautiful day, and in addressing
you in the manner that I will, 7 will
feel that he are here more for the
benefit Of the younger generation than
We older ones.
"Now boys and girls. the destiny Of
your country will soon be handed
down to you, and I ask you TO edu-
cate yourself to handle the great
undertaking that Il is in the present
day and in your hands to control.
"Mr. Chairman, we have come here
to present a flag to you. You have a
beautiful building here for education,
and we noticed that all that was
wanted was Old Glory, and as the com
mander Of the Department Of Della
ware, in the name of the g. A. r.,
and our general, and my predecessor,
George c. Morton, I present you with
this beautiful flag. IL Is your nag
and our flag II floats today over your
land and our land. and lands far
T. 1nrgnfa nf nnfFinf-
ism and love, and II you will allow
me to use the words of another and
read, 7 will thank you. Here followed
a short reading on the American nag.
Meaning of the Flag.
"The flag represents patriotism and
love. Do you young people know
what the attainment of this flag has
cost the Nation? If you do not, we
older ones do. It cost thousands upon
thousands of lives OF the young men
of this country, and it cost tears and
tears from the patriotic women of this
Nation. and It is the ladies of our age
who are the ones that suffered, and
if YOU will allow me ! can. better eX-
plain Il by reading a short letter from
Abraham Lincoln. and l am certain
that YOU can realize the suffering o
the ladies of this Nation" Here fol
lowed the letter written by Presiden
Lincoln to Mrs. Rixby during the wa
of 81.
Il had no idea that they we're 60
I ing TO put me at the head OF the hea
TO talk. I thought / would have tn
pleasure Of hearing some one else.
might say more. but / did not com
here to eulogize the members Of tn
organization of which I am a mem
ber. while I consider it one of tn
most patriotic and loving organiza
tions that / am connected with.
"I might say in connection Wit
what / have said Of the suffering q
the women of this country that tn
army on either side was principal
J composed of boys. It was said to b
the army Of boys.
"Mr. Chairman, the flag is your
and General Morton, my predecesso
in the name of the Grandy Army {
the Republic, as its commander. / r.
ceive that flag. hoping that the boy
and girls of the district will be g
patriotic and loyal as you have a
ways been. And I also thank yc
for the confidence you had in selec
ing me to make such a gift to n
fellow citizens in Mill Greek hui
dred"
Mr.. Walker Accepts.
Mr.. Walker, in accepting the fla
said:
"Mr. Chairman. Members of Il
G. A. R., Boys and Girls Of Mt Plea
. ant School, Ladies and Gentlemen
The chairman has requested me
make a little apology in the way
an explanation in reference to the i
vitations. I understand that in Il
: invitations the flag was spoken of
! given by the DUPONT Post. but It W
presented by General George c. Nc
? ton, although IL is presented in 4
p name of the G. A. R., but as far as '
are concerned, this does not make al
4 difference.
q Now, my friends. It seems to T
thai nothing can be more appropria
= than the presentation Of the Ame
o can Flag to the public school. T
: future of this country will depei
4 upon the patriotism Of the comii