Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-08-06

7
Fort McHenry by the British. Just
think what it meant to him. He knew
not whether the red coats were victor
ious or not-but by a single token, the
stars and stripes which floated above the
Fort. So he watched them, he made
them represent the fate of the Fort.
Twilight came, and slowly, even they
were blotted from sight what was
happening? And then
"And the rockets red glare, the bomb
bursting in the air,
Gave proof through the night that our
flag was still there
Think of the agony of suspense bet ween
those loud reports, and the consequent
glare, when, for single instant, per-
haps, the banner of his land stood out
against the inky sky And the morning
came,
"On the shore, dimly seen through the
msts of the deep.
What is that which the bre re DER the
towering steep -.
As it ftfully blows, half conceals, half
discloses?
Now it catches the CLEAN of the morn
ing's first BEAM
1t was the flag, hstlag- triumphant;
McHenry still stood Can any American
today stand before this flag without feel
ing something of the suspense, the agony
of hope, which was Keys? Can anyone
looking at this priceless piece of bunting
fail to realize what it represents; fail to
feel thrill of deep, sincere love for this,
the emblem of his, or her country. |
think not; hope not.
Just word in closing, of our respon-
ability to the past and future of our own
u. S. 1t is said that civilization follows
the flag, but unfortunately the faults of
civilization trail like venemous serpents
along its path.
The heroic missionaries of the cross
who have ever blazened the way, COM
plain with some justice that the pander-
ers to the baser appetites of their con-
verts, eradicate much of the good they
are able to accomplish, for suffering
humanity.
The Roman Centurian speaking to st.
Paul, says of his rights as Roman citi-
zen with great sum obtained TINS
freedom, as a nation we can truthfu!ly
adopt these words. Bat what is this
freedom of which we boast There is
danger of conf oundlng freedom with
license. There is vast difference, Amer
lean liberty, by no means signifies license,
as enthusiastically inclined foreigner and
the too progressive American soon learn,
when they conflict with American laws.
Our freedom is the freedom to do right,
and not as We please. So long as we adj
here to the right, we have civil protec-
ton. The moment we take the license
to do wrong halt is called upon our ac-
tons, irrespective of our place in the
social, intellectual, or politlcal scale 1t
is this freedom of which we boast.
1t cost our fathers much, but the price
was freely paid In our national rcJoi"-
ing, we cannot be too mindful of their
sacrifice and heroism, nor can we praise
them too much for the spirit OF patriot
ism that inspired them to such actions
and although we hope and believe that
the time will come when the nations shall
not learn war any more, and the man
who instigates thereto, or engages there
IN, will be strongly condemned by the
composite intelligence of the future, for
the present we owe an enormous debt of
gratitude to the noble spirits who obtain
ed our freedom with their lives, and our
ebullitons of patriotism cannot be too
fervent so long as we keep within safe
and sane bounds.
So let US as individuals comprising this
great nation endeavor to sustain those
high ideals, those lofty purposes which
led our forefathers across the sea to
found new republic, where government
for the people, of the people, and by the
people should not perish from the earth.
New occasions teach new duties; time
makes ancient good upcouth;
They must upward still, and onward, who
keep abreast of truth;
Lo before as CLEAN her camp fires, we
ourselves must Pilgrims be,
Launch our MayfoWer, and steer bodily
through the desperate winter sea,
Nor attempt the futures portal with the
past's blood-rusted key.