Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-11-11
HOLIDAY IS
PROCLAIMED BY
THE GOVERNOR
Brumbaugh Tells of the Part
Played inthe War by
PennsylvanianS

An official holiday was declared
for the state by Governor Brum-
baugh at mass meeting of officials
and attaches of the state government
held in the hall of the House of
Representatives during the morning.
The assemblage followed hours of
celebrating in the streets of the cap
ital during which the Governor made
speeches from motor truck and
was the first formal observance.
When it closed the Capitol and all
departments were closed.
Bishop Philip r. McDevitt. of the
Catholic diocese, offered the opening
prayer at the meeting, and Bishop
L. f. Swengel, of the United Evan
gelical Church, pronounced the ben
ediction. The Governor made the
address, during which he said that
PENNSYLVANIA, always in the forefront
/ OF every war, had 100000 of its sons
in France.
Nothing like the meeting was ever
he'd in the Capitol, not even when
the Civil War closed. Many of the
people connected with the state gov
ernment had been up most of the
night and they trooped into the big
hall carrying flags and singing. The
AdJutant Generals men had taken
time by the forelock and had the
Tags of every allied nation placed
about the walls, with the Stars and
stripes. the Tri-Color, the Union Jack
and the Italian banner in the front.
\ II Million nF ID,,h 10
Service Commission, and a corps of
ready workers hustled up piano
from somewhere, and the Governor
and Mrs, Brumbaugh, accompanied
by the clergymen and heads of de-
partments gathered about the ros-
trum.
Every one rose and sang Amer
lea with flags waving. and then
Bishop MoDevitt made the invoca-
ton, returning fervent thanks for the
victory vouchsafed. Then, with A. II.
kuhlman, of the Department of Ag-
riculture, as the soloist and quar-
tet from the Pennsylvania State So
ciety, Keep the Home Fires Burn
ing was sung as reminder of the
United War Work campaign, which
must go on and which people must
not forget.
The SulnlurouS Remark
The heart-stirring sentiments of
the song which has come from the
Dominion affected every one and
tanned down the eXuberance of the
gathering by the time that the Gov
ernor began his address with solem-
nifty, giving thanks to God for the
triumph in which American arms
had borne so decisive a part. Penn
sylvania's splendid participation in
every war of the nation. colonies or
republic, the valor of its sons and
the glory of their achievemen ents
weer referred to by DR.. Brumbaugh
with feeling, and his declaration that
the Keystone Commonwealth had
100000 sons in France was cheered
Until the blue-and-gold ceiling flung
back the echoes in joyous meter.
But a real demonstration occurred
when the Governor said that it was
the Keystone Division that broke
the German line at Chateau-Thierry
and began the beginning of the end
of Germahy's dream of world EN-
pire." And the crowd repeated 1t
when the remark of the PENNSYLVANIA
colonel who refused to fall back
after taking a place where he had
just arrived, was told by the Gov
ernor. 1t was sulphurous, but en-
tirely suitable to the occasion.
No Ono Works
Bishop Swengel in his closing
prayer gave thanks and invoked
blessings upon the fighting men and
the men and women at home who
have done their share of war work;
the President and all officials, the
Governor and those who have just
may have guidance from on high in
meeting the tasks that peace brings
to old Pennsylvania.
And now" said the Governor, in
closing, "a holiday is declared, and
any one who works on this Hill will
be discharged"