The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-06-05
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
Flag Raising.

Prof. Bissell, principal held reception
in the afternoon for parents and friends
to examine their work The exhibition
was very commendable and speaks well
for the work done during the year. At
the close of their exhibition they had
! Flag Raising, when old glory was hoist
ed to its place over the building. The
old flag means more to US than we think.
1t is the symbol of our country-and
! the sun shines on no better country
than ours Our safety does not rest Sc
much on education, desirable as that
may be, nor on philanthropy nor on
wealth, that is an element Of corruption,
nor on statesn anship, material re-
sources. or military genius, but ON the
gospel, which is the only eficacious
power and agency in securing a high
degree of national prosperity. We are
facing grave perils such as politica! cor
ruption. Graft has gone to seed, the
rum power, which is a diabolical bier
archy. the abnormal growth of cities,
the alienation of labor and capital, the
trend toward infdelity, socialism and
lawlessness.
But the old flag is the ensign of
Liberty. 1t is the symbol of our nation
al honor and greatness, our domestic
and civic happiness. 1t is the emblem
of and the inspirer of Patriotism. Pa
triotism is love of country. 1t is a self
sacrifice. Love of country has the high
sanction of religion as we'll as natural
sentiment. The church has always been
foremost in response to the call of pa
triotism and in behalf of justice, liberty
and righteousness. The pulpit stirs, the
nation hear, and pastors are to the
front. Churches gave their best boys
by the thousands. When patriotism is
without piety, or is divorced from
Christianity, the state, society and poll
tics are given over to infidelity and I'M
| goodness to tyranny of human passions
and selfish seeking, and cannot long be
sustained. Here is our greatest danger.
The patriotic citizen Is law abiding.
This is land of liberty not license.
Any organization that is against law is
traitor. 1t is against government.
No socialistic school or flag is to be
tolerated. Everyone who breaks the
law of his state is disloyal to that ex-
tent. A true patriot will be against
vice and crime He will defend the
Sabbath, support the laws and revere
and obey the Bible.
The characteristic of strong nation
is it's patriotism. This needs to be
born in the home and fostered in our
schools. Build into American lives a
love of country and a pride of nation.
atty that shall insure the future of our
land. Teach all children, native and
foreign, to haye sense of the dignity
of their position-not as Irish or Ger
man Americans. or red or black, but
just Americans. Get this idea into
their heads, by windy orations, or toot-
ing bands, or torpedos-any way you
can, but get it in until it takes root.
This Is the emblem our bows followed
to victory or death. but through sac
ritice and suffering. 1t seems to wave
more triumphantly today than ever Its
red bars are reder. because dyed anew
in the blood of our boys. Its white is
purer because of the motives that have
prompted US in this struggle for liberty
and democracy. right and justice
against high handed autocracy, demon
lied Prussianism and the domineering
spirit of diabolical miIitarism. Its
stars shine all the brighter because of
the true spirit which sctuated our boys
10 their efforts to secure the blessings
of liberty. justice and righteousness for
the smallest and even the weakest ma
tons. Let US go hence with a firmer
hope, brighter enthusiasm, a more in
tense zeal and ardent love for our
country's honor.
Then conquer we must when our cause
it is just,
And this be our motto, "In God is our
trustp' 4
And the Star Spangled banner
In triumph shall wave
Der the land of the free,
And the home of the brave
II" JoANNEs.
Mr.. Tracy A. Curry, who was en-