The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-10

rose to the dun colored sky, and the
General was out OF his automobile and
on the stand, smiling and bowling to
everybody, STOPPING for a word with his
small son Warren, and his sisters. Mrs.
d. N. Butler and Miss Mae Pershing;
and then turning with barred head to the
children, his hosts and hostesses.
Children Give Pledge to Flag.
With their young. clear voices, raised
In unison, the children recited the pledge
to the flag. Then. led by Lieut.. J. Henry
Smythe Of the American Red Cross. the
Megaphone Man who led the cheers when
President Wilson was welcomed to Paris
and on other famous occasions, the chill
dren sang The Star Spangled Banner"
and just as the last notes of the anthem
rang out upon the cool September air
Pershing reached for the fluttering end
of the flag and kissed 1t.
Then his speech--very short and to the
point, and audible to an astonishingly
large number of the listening boys and
girls.
school children of the city of New
York." he said to them, at gives me ex-
treme pleasure to be here this afternoon
for a few moments, and to witness this
beautiful ceremony. 1t is upon you that
We must depend in the future to carry
out the principles of our forefathers, and
to defend our flag, which we all love so
well. I feel sure you understand the
principle for which this war has been
fought. and join with me in congratu-
lating America upon its successful con-
clusion.
Il am sure that the patriotism of you
school children was not only appreciated
" IA In, H,,,k Leo
the boys who carried muskets in the
front lines. 1 wish to thank you and
wish that every man who was in Europe
could be here to see you"
Then cheers. And more cheers But
not given helter-skelter. The Megaphone
Man saw to that. Wonderful Megaphone
Man, he deserves citation for the whole
souled enjoyment with which he led the
high c cheers of those small future citi-
Gems. First there were three cheers for
Gen. Pershing. Then three for the army
and three for the navy and three for the
marines. Last of ALL three hurrahs
were given for the Commander in Chief
, of the army and navy, President Wilson.
Plants Tree for Dead Patriots.
Finally the children sang welcome
Home, Pershing," adapted TO same
patriotic tune, but which one this scribe
forgets. because the band played so
many tunes that they all got mixed up
in the memory. 1t was while they played
Keep the Home Fires Burning" that
Gen. Pershing entered the automobile
and started for his home fires as typi-
Ned by the Waldorf-Astoria. and as he
was driven through the lanes OF shout
| ing youngsters the instruments swung
into There's Long. Long Trail"
He went away, as he came, standing
| erect and blowing innumerable kisses
to the little girls who raised their flushed
faces toward him. A little way from
the stand the car stopped near a slim
young oak that was standing, just placed
in partly filled hole in the sward. II
was being planted in honor of the Ameri-
can soldiers who fell in the war, and
| with barred head Gen. Pershing descended
from the car. took a shovel from the
hands of Park Commissioner Francis D
| Gallatin, and threw several shovelfuls OF
earth around the roots. The plantins
completed he was driven away with Col
]. T. Quakenmeyer slowly the throngs
| of children melted away, and the Sheer
Meadow was left to silence and the fall.
| ing of the rain that had held off Just
long enough to let the ceremony come
| to an end. ..