The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-06-14
FLAG DAY TODAY.

On this day the American flag is
l95 years old. On its first adoption
the flag floated over n loyal population
numbering altogether less than the
population of what is now about sec.
ond-class State in the American Union
Under its shadow 100000 of free
souls made good their declaration of in.
dependence. Under it's broadened
shadow 100 .000, 900 Of frcemon gladly
gather this day to celebrate the glories
of the flag. the eminence of the
Union OF which it is the symbol. and
the mighty achievements that have
been wrought since the flag was first
designed, adopted, and unfurled.
The flag has been borne full high
advanced among many perlls. none
greater, however, than that which I'M
mediately followed its establishments
as the National standard. when lew
great spirits threw off the yoke OF
mighty empire. Again. it was on ir'a'
in the war of 1872; again IT WAS threat
ened in the secession movement IN
South Carolina in 1852, and it received
its real baptism Of blood in the War oil
the Rebellion of 1861 to 1863. Fuil
hiph above the blood and carnage OF
battle it has waved as the standard OF
free men, a glory to all the world,
and the guarantee of individual hb-
erty, prosperity, and Justice to all the
people under the shadow of its folds
Never did the American flag wave
more proudly in the vanguard of the
nations than it does today Never
were the American people so free, so
prosperous. and in every way so much
the leaders Of the world as they are
today.
Those among us, as the criminal an
archist wing. The Industrial Workers of
the World, and other organizations
which plot to destroy the flag, are pit
eously eager to claim its protection
when they get into trouble. No mat
ter how much they may feel disposed
TO trample upon the flag to spit upon
it, to rail at it, the moment they get
into trouble of any kind they appeal
TO the flag for protection; and the flag
protects them The American Republic
is so great, so unassailablc, that it pro-
tects even its enemies and those who
would point their bodkins at its throat.
II can afford TO ignore and contemn
all assaults, and TO view with COM
plaisance every effort of the weak and
foolish who would fain make pretense
Of blotting out the starry banner from
among the national standards Of the
world
IT is the great flag Of the free, now
as from the first, and so may 1T ever
be, the shelter of the defenseless; the
comfort of the disconsolate, and the
strong reliance even of the wicked. as
suring them that justice will be done,
and that their rights will be protected,
even though they do wrong.
1t is the flag Of Justice, Of fairness,
OF humanity. Under its benign protec
tion the people Of this Nation have
prospered as no people ever prospered
before and while we are a practical
people, much given to money making,
and while the selfish have unequaled
to grasp immense for
tunes, the significance Of the flag has
been such in the hearts and lives of the
people that there has sprung up
among us a spirit Of philanthropy that
induces benevolence and benefactions
on a scale surprising all ever known
heretofore among mankind.
Such is the geat work. the great les
son Of the flag. May It's shadow ever
broaden, and its services to humanity
constantly increase. and the effects of
its splendid strength spread benefi-
cially among mankind until all the
world is converted to liberty, to justice,
and to the full recognition of human
rights.
With small beginning, as Of a
cloud no bigger than a man S hand, the
shadow Of the American flag is now
looked to with hope throughout the
world. May that shadow deepen for
human good, and its beneficences be
come broader and more helpful among
humanity until the utmost need Of its
helpfulnes may have been fulfilled!