The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-06-15

1.-THE heart of the North was moved
with compassion, not for itself, not
for kindred, not for those in any spe-
cial way related, but only because the
common bond of human fraternity
assured US that, in a thousand hum
BILE homes, throughout the South, I'M
der dark skins, were daily and hourly
heart-burning, fears of separation,
longing for definite personal share
in life, the lightweight of hopeless
ness. which only liberty could relieve.
To confer that liberty the North
poured out it's treasure and its blood.
There was much talk about the pre-
servation of the Union, much talk
about the vindication Of Federal au-
thorities. These were the nominal is
sues, but the sublime impulse, that
drew the flower of the land into the
service of the government, and car
ried the flag in triumph to the farth-
est shores of South was, to break the
shackles of the slave. 1t was done.
And, from that hour a new splendor
shone from every fold Of the Red,
White and Blue.
And yet, there was still something
better in reserve. The War between
the states-the Civil War as it is
more commonly called-was confined
to our own, borders, and affected only
our own population. It involved some
questions of constitutional construc-
ton, of purely local interest. We had
been looking as a nation, after our
own concern. The people had be-
come accustomed to the idea that
nothing more could be required of
them; that, when we reached the
limits of our territory, all response
bility for the welfare of mankind
ceased-that because certain members
of the human family were providen-
TALLY located on one side of geo.
graphical line, and under one govern
ment, and others, on the other side
1 under another government, they
! therefore were under no neighbor1y
obligation to each other, and, on the
contrary, were to be regarded as enc
mics. 1t is a singular, and vicious de-
fusion. The obligation of man to man
/ is of higher rank than that of man
Ito his government The one is natur-
al; the other artificial; the one is
1 permanent; the other changeabIe.
| The one is instituted and command
] ed by Heaven; the other may have to
yield to moral and religious consid-.
| Grafton. Human government is per-
haps necessary, but it is necessary
evil. multiplicity of government is
a burden and a curse, and so, when
/ flags are used, as representing the
power, and authority, Of different ma
4 tons, they are a menace to peace,
i breeders of Jealousy, indictments to
war, challenges to combat. The ideal
Econdition will never be reached, I'M
4 til there shall be one nation only
4 over all the earth, one government,
exercised by the people themselves.
and one flag, the White Flag of
i Peace. III
The day may yet be far distant,
but is is sure to come. The song of
the Angels, Peace upon earth, good
will to men is no-myth. The prom
Use of a time when war shall cease,
bears Gods attestation. The stand
ard of self-sacrifice, and universal
love, erected on Calvary, nearly two
thousand years ago, will ontlive ana
outlast all other ensigns. Our flag
today, is being borne in that direc-
j ton. We have forgotten our own sell
fish interests. We have ignored the
territorial divisions. We take the
4 German peasant by the hand, and
say to him, Tear down your acursed
government, we will show you a bet
ter way; assert your natural rights;
be your own sovereign. We take the
Russian peasant by the hand, and
say to him: Keep down your deposed
autocracy; assert your natural rights,
be your own sovereign
This is what our flag stands for
today-so far, the last, and beyond
all question the greatest and grandest
advance 1t has ever made in its pro-
gress of glory.
There is no element of hate. There
; is no, element of conquest. There is
no expectation of profit or reward.
sit is a mission of mercy. It is a
, mission of brotherly love. It Is a
mission of final and universal peace
Flag Day was generally observed in
the city Exercises were held in the
schools during the morning session
! and the pupils performed the Salute
to the Flag The Rim Fire depart
ment of the Remington Arms Co. held
a flag raising.