The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-06-16

umn reached Loop park. The mem,
bera OF the Elks' lodge formed lines
and Governor cornweil and the speak
ers marched between them to the %,
vilion. The members OF the Grand
Army OF the, Republic also occupied
seats on the pavilion. Il was $40
O'Clock when A. Brooks Fleming. Jr-
the exalted ruler. opened the lodge IN
regular form. The members and as
semblage Joined In singing The star
Spangled Banner" The color guard
composed OF returned soldiers then
placed the American flag at the pa.
vilion after which they salnted Il.
Mr.. Fleming then read the signifi.
canoe Of Flag Day TO the members OF
the order and told In what high es.
TEEN II was held by every member.
Prayer was then offered by the chap
lain, Rev. Clarence D. Mitchell, D. D.
THE Flag Without a Stain "a. Q.
white) was rendered by the Elks'
male quartet In a very creditable man
ner. The quartet is composed OF Ia.
mar satterfield, Walter D. Barring.
ton, Charles F. Bornefeld and DR.. Err
nest Yost. The work of the quartet
was greatly appreciated and It was
foundly applauded.
Mr.. Mckinney Speaks.
Hon. o. s. Mckinney then read . pa
per on the history Of the American
nag. He traced the first flag back to
1920, when the Pilgrims landed at Ply.
mouth Rock. In the early colonial
days the flag usually carried the word
Liberty" for which our forefathers
sought and did attain. In 1707 the
Pine tree flag was in vogue. The
present insignia-the red, white and
blue-was originated by Betsy Ross
in Philadelphia on June II. 1775. and
was first unturied at Cambridge.
Mass, by General Washington on
January 1, 1875.
In detail Mr.. Mckinney told how the
formation OF the stars and the stripes
were changed by acts Of congress un-
til the present plan Of thirteen red
stripes emblematic OF the thirteen or
iginal states and star for every state
was adopted. THE Battle Cry OF
Freedom" was then sung.
Following this the floral liberty ben
was placed on the altar with abpro-
PIRATE ceremonies. Portions OF the
bell were put together by the several
officers until the parts formed a bell.
1.-THE Battle Hymn Of the Republic
was then sung.
Tribute to the Flag.
The tribute to the flag was paid BY
Hon. Emmett M. Showalter in a very
able and eloquent address. 'Wher-
ever that flag goes triumph marches"
declared the speaker and It leads the
battle of civilization in order that men
may reach higher plane of civic life"
All the world pays tribute to the ideals
and beneficient institutions which 1t
represents. 1t has never treated in
shame or dishonor. AS long as It
stands for the rights of humanity
may 1t never permit the flag of Boil
shevism or the red nag to thrust It
from its standard or the place it holds
in the affection of the American peo-
pie. Columbia the Gem Of the Ocean"
was sung.
The exercises were concluded at
4:30 o'clock Just about fifteen min
utes before a heavy storm broke over z
the city.
The Street Parade.
Shortly after $3.50 o'clock the Elks
left the Deveny building and marched
down Adams street to Fairmont ave-
nue. to Eighth street and over Eighth
street to Loop park.
The procession was led off by
color guard OF returned soldiers. The
Greater Fairmont band was next In
line. Two hundred members of the
local lodge Of Elks followed. The re-
ception committee to the governor
then came after which members of the
Grand Army OF the Republic were con-
veyed in automobiles. Then came
autos carrying Governor Cornwell and
the other speakers. The Fairmopl
High school drum corps was next in
line after which Troop z, Boy Scouts,
headed by G. c. Denham, followed.
The participants In the parade wore
small silk American flags.