Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-06-15
CITY OBSERVES FLAG DAY
Five Celebrations of Event in
Town Last Night.
Governor Pleads at Yacht Club for
Prepn Relief Corps,
Ladies' of q. a. II. and W. G. r.
4. Also Celebrate.

? There were enough Flag day celebra.
tons in Burlington yesterday to satisfy
every variety of taste The biggest event
was that at the Lake Champlain Yacht
club, where Governor Charles w. Gates
of Franklin, Mayor Albert S. Drew.
Adjt Gen. Lee ). Tillotson of st. Adams
and General Theodore S. Peck gave ap-
propriate and inspiring speeches The
trend of the Governors remarks might
have been taken from kiplings "Reces-
sional." He urged his hearers to remem-
Der the folly of leaning upon material
possessions only and made strong plea
for preparedness Mayor Drew expressed
his pleasure at greeting the enthusiastic
audience before him.
celebration scarcely second in Interest
was held at the club rooms Of burlington
Lodge, No. 9l6. benevolent and Protective
order of Elks Other exercises took place
under the auspices of James A. Garfield
Circle, No. 4, Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic Stannard Woman's Re-
lief Corps. No. So, and the flower mission
Of the Womans Christian Temperance
Union, assisted by the Loyal Temperance
Enion.
YACHT CLUB CELEBRATION.
large audience attended the exer-
cises at the Lake Champlain Yacht club
mouse, where interesting addresses were
delivered by Gov Charles w. Gates OF
FRANKLIN. Mayor Albert 5. Drew of Bur-
IinEton. Adit.-Ger. Lee S. Tillotson OF
st. Adams and Gen Theodore S Peck
OF Burlington. The vocal solos of Miss
Agnes NJ. Dooley and Thomas X.
Waterman were unusually pleasing. and
exceptionally fine recitations were given
by Miss OSullivln and George Agel.
The exercises were preceded by short
concert by Daley's orchestra which also
furnished music for the dancing, which
concluded the evenings entertainment
Arthur c. Mansur of the board of gov
errors of the Yacht CLUB presided dur
ing the evening and introduced the
speakers.
The exercises we're opened by The
singing of the Star Spangled Banner"
by the audience, after which Mr.. Man
sur introduced Mayor Drew In few
well chosen words. Mayor Drew ex-
pressed his pleasure at addressing the
gathering and spoke briefly concerning
the significance of the United States
flag and what it should mean to all
patriotic citizens. Following the mayor s
remarks, Thomas r. Waterman sang
columbia. the Gem Of the Ocean," the
piano accompaniment being played by
Miss Hazel Morgan. The presiding
officer next introduced Gen. Theodore S.
Peck of this city. who delivered an ex-
ccptionally interesting and eloquent adj
dress on THE History OF the Flag"
The first flag, said General Peck. was
made in Philadelphia by Miss Betsey
Ross. under the direction of General
Washington, and was adopted by Con-
gress as the national emblem on June
Il, III. 1t first foated over an Ameri-
can fortress on August 3, III, when it
was placed above Fort Schuyler near the
present site of the city OF Rome, n. y,
and was first carried by the American
troops in the battle at Brandywine'
September II. 1771. 1t hoated first above
captured possession on June %, 1'7S,
when Fort Nassau In the banana
islands was captured by Captain Rath-
bone General Peck then related a
number OF intensely interesting reminds
cences of his Civil War days. when he
served first in General STANDARDS in
fantry regiment and later in Major-Gen'
William Wells brigade of Vermont
cavalry and ended by making force
full plea for all American citizens to re-
member what the flag cost and what II
meant and to be prepared to defend II
at all times.
No state, said AdJutant-Genera! Lee S
Tillotson of St Adams. who spoke on
"Our National Guard and Preparedness
is more peaceful than Vermont yet none
is more ready to respond TO a call to DE-
fend our nations flag. lie paid glow
| ing tribute to the Vermont soldiers OF
earlier DAYS and said that his greatest
ambition was to defend the flag on the
| Ao,d of battle General Tillotson then
told briefly Of the work of the national
guard which is usually but scantily un'
derstood and still less appreciated. H'
told how the Vermont National Guart
means lots of hard work for officers and
men. that it has always had strength
greater than that called for by previous
laws. In speakng of the new law under
which the strength OF the national guart
may he increased to nearly four times ~
present number. General Tnlotson SAID
| that II SNCh an increase couiu pe setuie'
anywhere 1t would be in Vermont where
Young men have a background Of sucl
| glorious traditions to sustain them. II
closing, he asked his listeners to aid il
the work of preparedness by having thei
own children learn something of inilitar,
life
Following the singing of two verses o
America by Miss Agnes Dooley and thu
reading of a patriotic recitation. "Amerl
canism" by George Agel. Governo
Charles w. Gates delivered the final ad
dress of the evening, in which he warn
ed against the dangers Of depending to-
greatly on financial prosperity and losini
sight of the battles which had to be VOL
before that prosperity could be secured
The lessons taught by the courage. pa
trotism and craftsmanship of the nobl
women and men of the early days OF Yer
mont must not be forgotten now. Will
we do wish to prepare for war we mus
prepare for our duties as American citi
zens and as such he ready to defend on
flag and country.
Governor Gates then dwelt upon wha
the flag meant both as our national EN-
blem and also as signifying the pures
democracy in the world to-day, and urge
all to guard against remissness in show
ing deserved honor to the flag and to kee
it's folds unsullied,
After a pleasing recitation. MY Flag,
by Miss O'Sullivan. the exercises wer
concluded by the singing of "Americ
qua AuId Lang Syne" by the audience