The Washington herald., 1916-06-15

which the American nation will turn with
a might and triumph of sentiment which
will teach these gentlemen once for all
that loyalty to this flag is the first test
of tolerance in the United States.
II have not come here this afternoon
with the purpose of delivering to you an
elaborate address. 1t seems to me that
the day is sufficiently eloquent already
with the meaning which it should con-
vey to us.
But this is not a day of sentiment
Sentiment is a propulsive power. but it
does not propel in the way that is service
able to the nation, unless it have a def
mite purpose before it. This is not merely
a day OF sentiment. 1t is a day Of pur-
pose. 1t is an eloquent symbol OF the
unity of our history that upon this monu-
ment which commentaries the man who
did most to establish the American Union.
we should have hoisted those stars that
have multiplied since his time.
Apparently this nation Is. again and
again. and again, to be tested, and al
ways tested in the same way. The last
supreme test that this nation went
through was the test of the civil war.
You know how deep that cut. And you
know how that ended. While It seemed
a time OF terror, it has turned out a
proof of the validity of our hope.
Test Is Applied Again.
And yet again the test is applied. my
fellow-countrymen. A new sort of divi-
sion Of feeling has sprung up amongst
us. You know that we are derived in our
citizenship from every nation in the
world. 1t is not singular that sentiment
should be disturbed by what is going on
on the other side of the water, but while
sentiment may be disturbed, loyalty
OnRhf mot TO 10 he ScrnntIln1S.
ly just. in assessing the circumstances of
this day, and am sure that you wish
with me to deal out with an even hand
the praise and the blame of this day Of
test.
That is the lesson that I have come
to remind you of on this day-no mere
sentiment. 1t runs into your daily life
and conversation. Are you going your
selves individually and collectively to
see to 1t that no man is tolerated who
does not do honor to that flag? 1t is not
matter of force. 1t is not a matter.
that to say, of physical force. 1t is a
matter Of greater force than that which
is physical. 1t is a matter of spiritual
force. 1t is to be achieved as we think,
as we purpose, as We believe, and when
the world finally learns that America is
indivfsible. then the world will learn how
truly and profoundly great and powerful
R1nerlCd Is.
'1f you could have gone with me
through the space of the last two years,
and could have felt the subtle impact of
intrigue and sedition, and have realized
with me that those to whom you have
entrusted authority are trustees not only
of the power, but of the very spirit and
purpose Of the United States, you would
realize with me the solennity with which
look upon that sublime symbol Of our
unity and power.
'I took the liberty few weeks ago to
ask our fellow-citizens all over the United
States to gather together in celebration
of this day. the anniversary of the adop-
ton Of our present flag as the emblem of
the nation. had no legal right to de-
clare it holiday, I had no legal right to
ask for the cessation of business. but
when you read the papers tomorrow
morning. I think you will see that du-
thority was not necessary; that the peo-
pie of the country were waiting for an
opportunity to cease their ordinary busi-
ness and gather together in united DEM
onstration Of their feeling as . nation"