Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-07-04
C, n, FLAG POLE
F|TT|NCLY DEDICATED
Attorney R. ". Stanford Makes
Patriotic Address SATURDAY.
Afternoon.

Old Glory flies from the new flag
pole at the Great Northern Division
headquarters as token that this i'm.
portant link Of the highways of the
nation are under the especial protec-
tion Of the Government. The dedica-
tion of the pole and flag was made an
occasion of patriotic demonstration,
very nicely put on by the officials Of
the road. \ special train carried all
who wished to participate from the
depot to the scene, and all the coach
es were we'll filled. The Willmar
Band furnished music. A speakers
stand had been erected near the pole,
where seats were provided for the
speakers, the Grand Army men, rail-
road officials and visitors. Quite a
crowd was already on the scene await
ing the special train, and included en-
ployees of the offices, repair track and
roundhouse. Mayor E. C. Wellin pre-
sided. In his remarks he referred to
the feeling Of reciprocal good will ex-
listing between the people of the city
and the Great Northern. the division
point Of which is the chief industry
of the city. Rev. w. Bryn Jones gave
the opening invocation. City Attor-
ney Stanford was then called upon
and made a patriotic speech, which
we are pleased to give herewith in
substance. Mr.. Stanford said:
Fellow Citizens Of Willmar:
The clock of the centuries is now
most momentous period in our coun.
when we are facing the greatest crisis
that our country has ever faced, when
we have solemnly determined to draw
the sword and enter the most stupen-
dous conflict that has ever been stag
ed in all history, when our land re-
sounds from end to end with the un-
wonted sounds of preparation for war.
when our soil is beginning to shake
with the martial tread of marching
armies; under such circumstances ev-
cry ceremony thruout our broad land
of raising "Old Glory" the flag of our
country, should be and is an 1nspira-
ton to every loyal citizen.
1t is doubly inspiring when the rails
ing is to the strains Of patriotic music,
and the flag Itself ts tos bes hoistea to
the mast head by these few. surviv-
ing, gray haired veterans of half CEN
tury, whose deeds and accomplish
ments, and whose devotion to flag and
country are still fresh and green in
our memories.
1t is likewise an inspiring thought
when we pause to consider that this
great transportation system, which
runs thru our city, has transported
this splendid flag pole from the ex-
treme western borders of our land,
have here erected it upon their prop
erty which only a few years ago was
wilderness under the flag of France,
to the end that the Stars and Stripes
should float from it's pinnacle as an
emblem, symbol, Of the loyalty to
government Of this great railway, and
Of the loyalty and patriotism of it's
numerous officials and it's vast army
of employees.
am not gifted with omniscience so
as to enable me to look into the
hearts and minds of the officials who
conceived this enterprise and tell you
what their purpose was, but I know
that it was high and lofty one, and
can we'll conceive that their idea,
their object, was to here erect this
pole, that the stars and stripes should
be foated from it's peak, in order that
those who worked in these Offices and
in these yards, and those train crews
who pass to and fro upon these ada
cent tracks, should, in this hour OF
their country's peril, at all times have
within the range of their vision, the
flag of their country, as an inspiration
to greater loyalty and a spur to great
er endeavors and greater sacrifices tc
help their country win this war.
We have been called the melting
pot of the world. We have never
been homogeneous people. We come
from every race and every cline. W.
represent every religion and ever,
creed. Our population comes to VI
from under the folds of every flag up
on the earth. We have had differen
ideals, different hopes, different aspir
ations and different sympathies. w,
have prospered nightly and hav.
grown rich, idle, and Indifferent.
Under such circumstances and Will
our mixed population it is not strang,
that people said at the beginning o
the war that our citizens could no
rise to the issues Of the conflict an,
be truly patriotic.
They said we could not count OF
the loyalty Of our naturalized citizens
If you believe that, ask you to gaz
upon these gray haired veterans o
the Civil war. Some of them wer
born in lands across the sea. The
: came to these shores in their earl
\ youth when they were mere boys, an
hardly had they set foot upon the so
Of this Republic when they enliste
/ under the folds Of the starry banne
for the long dark years of the Civ
1 war. Some Of these veterans bea
upon their bodies the scars Of batt]
as conclusive evidence of their dev,
ton to the flag and principals of the
adopted country.
It was said that we could not cou1
on the patriotism Of the children
our foreign born as we could count q
that of native stock. If you belle,
&h~A ~