Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-24
Is Your Flag Out?
Where are the flags?


Where are the flags?
glance along the business streets
NJ this and other cities. and inspection
of the residence sections are dlsap
pointinr. So few American flags are
seen to indicate stirring PATRIOTISM IN
a tine of national crisis, as to raise
4. the question, Are not the peopie
aroused or interested?'
Can any good reason be offered why
"Old Glory" should not be displayed on
every business block and every resi-
dencc Of our city, every church. school
house and farm dwelling?
Let US show where we stand by this
silent proclamation Of our patriotism.
Among those who urge the citizens TO
respond are Governor Milliken, Ad-
jutant General Presson and Mayor
Swift.
Political committees have f1ne fiass'
why not swing them out to free
American breeze, minus banners ana
eyer, thing else but that expression OF
american loyalty to the cause OF free-
! fdom and justice. to defense of ourselves
Hand to protection of the weak in their
.. rights.
~ That j. true Americanism and Old
ffGlory expresses it without words Let
+, us hang out our flag and salute 1t, Tor
today it means as much to us as at any
period in our history, and perhaps more
to Christian civilization. Let us send
word across the water that
lover every industrial plant, every
business house, every palatiaI resi-
dence, every humble home, the Stars
. and Stripes are flying"
That message would tell a story Of
volumes to the watchers over there 1t
would csssy, the intelligence that one
hundrsd millions Of free people had
rendar1d a verdict against "frightful-
ness"; that America had set it's hand
afainst piracy or the free waters of the
globe, and against oppression by auto
,cracy of the helpless victims of a
Moloch
An Augusta citizen suggests that a
strong wire be stretched from Opera
House block to the Augusta Trust Co.
building and a big flag be hung over
the square. Why not? If no suitable
flag is available a popular subscription
would provide it in day. We would
prefer that 1t be provided in that way.
as much by the pennies and nickels of
the children as by the dollars Of the
business men. Let us amend the sug-
gestion by urging suitable flags be
provided for Market Square and for
High School Square on the East Side;
and II suitable flags are not available
let as provide them by popular sub
scription. The Journal knows where
much Of the fund can be found.
Somehow II is a pleasure to feel a
proprietorship in the Stars and Stripes
and. whether or not we have Neen able
10 assist jim procuring it, as we pass we
can take off our hats and proudly pro-
claim. That is MY fag!'
In 1867 a man came from Euro1e to
this country. and went to- dAsba. He
was arrested as a spy and condemned
to be shot He sent for tHe (speGsr
and English consuls and~ pso&aSxf9
them that he was not a spy II u
to one of the Spanish officers and Aaad.
This man is innocent" He 'f&pjied:
The man has been legally tr1edS oar
laws and condemned: the hutS4ns
take its course" The followis1s. horn
ing the man was led out; the grAwe
was already prepared. and the black
cap was soon in place. Sofl1fers .Wef6
ready to receive the order "FEs!" when
the American consul stepped. rfxard
and wrapped the American flag around
the condemned man, and the Enelfsar
consul wrapped the English flag a,Q,iSnd
him, and then they said to the Spanish
soldiers, Fire on those flags If you
dare" Not a man dared. "Why?" do
you ask? BECAUSE TWO GREAT
GOVERNMENTS STOOD BEHIND
THOSE FLAGS. =
b. That is the meaning of our AkS to.
day-the American government ana the
American people stand behind them
and under them, ever ready to protect
them.
Put out your flag