The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1917-04-12
LOYALTY DAYS.
OBSERVED HERE
Patriotic Demonstra-
ton Was Well
Attended.

The loyalty of Liberal peo-
pie to the flag, the nation and
the president, was attested Fri
day in the patriotic demonstra-
tions, the display of flags and
the utterances of her citizens.
In the afternoon the children
of the public schools marched
through the streets carrying
American flags and the sight
was enough to inspire the most
unpatriotic of citizens.
J. On account of the bad wealth
er the street program was omit
ted. the band playing few Sc
lections and marching to the
@lTt house. Here a big crowd
gathered despite the cold north
wind and clouds of dust.
The evening program was
opened with music by the band
after which H. w. Magruder
read a portion of the Message
of President Wilson to Con-
gress.
Rev. Hestwood of the M. E.
church led in prayer, and the
audience sang America" to
the accompaniment of the
band.
The address of the evening
was delivered by Clyde r.
Commons, and was a clean
cut, able talk, full of good
thoughts. Among other, things
Mr.. Commons said that this
was no time for idle talk.
The time to discuss the merits
of the present war was past;
that President Wilson at this
time was the representative Of
all the people. that Congress,
through representatives from
every section, had authorized
and directed him to take the
step that plunged us into the
grteat war of nations; and that
every true man and woman
would stand by him to the end.
Those who could not do this he
advised to leave the country,
as their presence was not desir-
able. His talk was full of the
spirit that has made this the
greatest, though most peaceful
nation on earth, and no one
could hear his remarks without
feeling deeper respect for this
great land and its flag. AT the
close of, his remarks he asked
the audience to stand and with
him, take the oath of allegiance
to the flag, which was cheerful
ly done.
Again the band favored the
audienceswith a medley of Ma
tional Airs, after which Rev.
j. M. Taylor of the Christian
Church spoke briefly on mat
ters of history. He reviewed the
wars of the United States, and
said that every war fought by
this country against a foreign
country was brought about by
wars between other countries,
and recited the instances. He
ALSO said that this country had
been victorious in every war it
had, fought, and gave as the
reason for this that the United
States never fought for acqusi-
ton of territory or gain, but
that every war in which this
country had been engaged had
been for fhe benefit of man.
kind. in the interest of liberty
and freedom. His remarks
were we'll taken, and calculat-
ed to inspire his hearers to a
greater love for their country.
Again the audience sang, and
this time it was the song of
all songs, the song that means
SO much to every true Ameri-
can, "The Star Spangled Ban
ner," and the audience, already
running over with patriotic
sentiment, sang it with spirit
seldom equalled.
A couple of patriotic read
ings were very nicely rendered
by Mr.. Brown and the High
School Glee Club sang "Colum-
bia," after which Rev. Paul
Cafes pronounced the benedic-
tioTi.Y
This was one of the greatest
meetings ever held in Liberal.
1t was good to be there. 1t was
an occasion of which every cit
izen of the town may we'll feel
proud, whether or not they
were fortunate enough to be
there. The spirit was that of
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