New-York tribune., 1913-05-25
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COfHfhed pom page
And then as it lifted its ragged folds into
the air the voice commanded, Salute.
Painting, but rigid, the men Of Sheridan
Post brought their heels together and stood
at salute as the bunting whipped up ITS low
height. caught a wandering breeze, and flap
ped out over its last field. Alaloney made
a last desperate effort but the buglc trem-
bled in his hands and was mute. Twice he
bravelv tried. then leaned heavily against
the nearest man, white suffering, and spent.
Around them we're shouts, curses. denuncia-
tions. At their feet the man who had been
preaching anarchy sat up in a daze, ana
wiped from his forehead tiny, trckling'
sanguinarv stream. The weak voice OF the
commander attempted to make itself heard.
Il could not. Only the thin line OF blue
standing guard beside the flag heard the
Coloncls next words.
"Alajor. Major Sherwood ne imploredi;;
"You can make them hear. can I: ell
them. old comrade, for Gods sake, tell them
how mistaken they are.'
A S if this too were bugle call, the little
n man sprang forward, and leaned across
the fimsy railing and held up his hand.
There was that in his attitude, his age, ms
appearance, that made the mob pause and
listen when the deep voice doomed out, as Il
it were a great bell Of destiny.
"Listen" he said. "Give me but a teW
words You ask for fair play. That IS all
we ask-fair play"
Slowly the great crowd hushed, and those
on the edges strained themselves to hear
surcd that his voice would carry.
"In every cause that the world has known
there have been two sides Sometimes 1t
took blood and tears TO decide the Just; but
always through the immutable wisdom OF
God Almighty the just side won We, my
comrades and /, are not here TO adJudicale
the cause you represent We, Ike YOU 90
not know. You see the rich man, pllierer
or prodigy, perhaps. driving past you IN MS
automobile, and are cmbttered Nhcther
he is a piltcrcr, or prodigy, | cannot say;
vet appreciate the hopelcssncss ot the man
whose family suffers. and starvcs, and dies
the misery Of the man who sees his little
girls. childish, un'cmpcrcl, uniformed, driven
10 work lest soul and body part for want OF
wages and food. And too know the anguish
Of the voice that cries aloud 70 God, Why
Why can such things be-
But. Men, back of It all, almost as big,
it seems TO me. as God Himself, is that thing
which has become the earthly god OF my
comrades and me, the emblem that stands
for us as the emblem Of justice, and right,
the flag the flag ot our country. Other men,
believing it a banner Of injustice, have 'ucd
10 tear il down today. You can tear II
down: but YOU can't tear down what It
stands fora nation founded on the prln-
ciple Of freedom. AMI the right % advance
bv Individual worth. that men are equal;
that men shall profit IN keeping with their
intelligence, their humanity, their kndine5s.
II stands for us Under i We cling 20 the
idcall Unicritw wc striyc anlhopc. anincvcr
set has righteous army fought beneath o.
and failed % wnl More than a million men
fought for or against Il. before most oi YOU
were born and yc' II flies. AMI those who
fought against n are as proud OF D. a- those
who fought for H. What are Nour pal'ry
struggle AMI puny dspu'c- compared to
the lie ~ the Nag. the flag some Of YOU have
today dishonorcl? What Of your iam'hcs
YOU ask;
D. q e. 7.