Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-15
Crowds Line Course

Crowds Line Course
The crowds on the street began to
gather early and by o'clock there
was a large number Of people lining
the sidewalks on the line Of march.
Shortly before the organizations be-
gan to gather in the places assigned
to them by the chief marshal. AS rap
idly as they were placed and their
men in line that part was checked off
by the aides and it was shortly after
s when the order to march was given.
$500 Flags
. During tire time the parade had been
forming the flags had been distribut-
I'd and over $500 of them were put
out as several of the organizations
furnished their own flags and as there
were many men who did not have them
owing to their carrying swords, or some
other arms, it is estimated that at
least $500 were in line. The line of
march was down Elm street to Sill
yer. up Silver to Main, up Main to
Campus the Grand Army which had
lead the parade in motor cars, was
drawn up beside the bleachers and the
members Of the city government, the
Chamber of Commerce were assigned
to seats in the bleachers and then the
remainder Of the parade passed in re-
view. 1t was an inspiring sight, as
hundreds Of men in the various organ
izations, the school children Of Water
Vile and Winslow to the number Of
at least 1000, uniform body Of boys
from the parochial schools and large
number Of their children. The parade
marched into the campus and then
marching in a circle which steadily
grew smaller they kept going round
and round until all was on the cam
pus. The bands formed and the organ
izations were drawn up while the
school children were given seats in the
grandstand.
Address by Lieut.. Rogers
AS soon as the whole parade was in
the campus the assemblage was call
ed to order by Chief Marshal Pepper
and Mayor Boothby was introduced He
thanked those present for their part in
the parade and declared that he was
proud of them and Of the city Of Wa
terville. He then introduced Lieutenant
A. Raymond Rogers as the speaker OF
the afternoon. Lieut. Rogers paid a
stirring tribute to the flag.
1T Is only fitting that we. the people
Of this great and prosperous nation" he
said, should set aside one day in the
year on which to pay respect to and rev.
erence the flag Of our country. Surely
there can be no truer symbol Of liberty.
equality and humanity than the flag we
follow today. From the day of the sign
ing of that great document which caused
Ting George III to give his claims to the
10 original states. this flag, then first
brought into being. has stood for the cher
ished principles of human rights. That
flag with it's As stars shining in splendor
from it's heaven of blue. and its IS stripes
streaming to the four winds. stands for
people who enjoy the greatest of God
given rights-liberty, justice and equality
before the law. 1t represents the talents,
the energies and the ambitions Of ma
ton Of people bent upon peaceful devel-
opment Of the world. 1t represe nts a
country whose growth has not been due
to the championship OF principles of ag-
erosion; Of wrestling from weaker ma
ton their rightful territory. 1t stands
for a nation Of free people. humane al
ways in their international dealings, act
uated by the highest motives that govern
the actions Of a hundred million people.
Thank God, 1t also represents nation OF
people who have ever been patient in the
face of scornful insolence ever self-pos-
sessed under painful provocation. but new
er vet Indifferent to the cry of distress.
nor deaf to the appeals Of any suffering
people in the world"
The speaker recalled the deeds Of Ar ,r-
lean heroes and asked the cause.
You know the answer TO these ques-
lions, he said at was because we have
had, all through the years. American pa
triots who loved the flag and the princi-
pies for which 1t stood. They threw aside
all thought Of self; their nobler natures
and as true soldiers and
Americans they obeyed. even though 60
obey meant DEATH"
He took up the cases Of those citizens
Of foreign birth and their allegiance to
America. and painted to the debt which
they owe this nation.
In. concluding. Lieutenapt Rogers said:
Let Us salute the flag. while 1 repeat
10 you: I pledge allegiance to that nag
md to the country for which 1t stands;
one nation, indivisable, with liberty ana
Justice for an"
Following The address Of Lieutenant