The Jamesburg Record

FLAG PRESENTATION.
Pride of Mechanics' Home Council, Daughters of Liberty,
Give one
TO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Interesting Exercises by Children of the School and Speeches by Citizens.

Every politician in New Brunswick knows full well that Jamesburg is awfully large for the size of the town, but even those astute gentlemen are probably not aware of the extent of the patriotism of our school children. They will be startled when we state that our school just eats National flags - in fact dotes on them. The Jamesburg school have had three beautiful flags presented to them in less than eight years. One was twenty by thirty feet and another ten by eighteen feet. But they were too large for the flag pole, which allowed them to be whipped out against the school roof.

The Daughters of Liberty, seeing the old flag used up, determined to keep 'Old Glory' flying over that school if they had to buy a whole bunting factory. Accordingly they bought another beautiful flag, ten by eighteen feet, all wool, and nearly three yards wide.

This flag they presented to the Board of Education on Friday afternoon last, at 3:30 o'clock. About 30 of the Daughters of Liberty were present. Brother E. W. Snedeker presented the flag to the Board on the part of the Council, and in a very graceful and appropriate speech, being soundly applauded. Mr. J. D. Buckelew, President of the Board of Education, accepted the gift, saying that the Board and the children would hold the Daughters in grateful remembrance and cherish the flag as their choicest possession. He also questioned the children on the flag and found them well-drilled in its history and teaching. He then exhibited a composite flag of all nations, which all viewed with interest. The remarks were very appropriate and met with hearty applause. There were also short speeches by Mr. Magee, Mayor Jennings and Mr. W. C. Crosby. The latter spoke interestingly upon 'every day patriotism,' saying there was need of that always - patriotism did not alone mean to fight our foes. It meant obedience to law, reverence for religion, and such good citizenship in times of peace as kept a sharp outlook on our schools, legislators, etc., for the present boys must soon come to be the makers of our laws.

Rev. Mr. Kulp, of the Methodist Church, was original in his remarks and particularly hit the mark when he said patriotism did not consist in hating every other country save our own. He hoped for the day of international arbitration when men should learn the better law of peace and our land should furnish an example of the most perfect form of government. Mr. Kulp is eloquent and quite charmed his bearers.

Mr. Hammell commended the ladies, saying women had always borne a noble part in history - both in war and in peace; in religion and in politics, and always to the betterment of the times. There had been Boadiceas, Joan D'Arcs, Barbara Fritchies and Mollie Pitchers, but none had done a better work than the Daughters of Liberty in keeping lighted the fires upon the altar of liberty.

He also showed the decline of the Roman Republic, saying when Rome deserted her schools for bull-fights and wealth succeeded the citizen suffrage, then came the fall. We must profit by the teaching of history and give our children good schools, of which they may be proud.

In the end he called upon all present to see that a better school building should succeed the present structure before the beginning of another school year.

Between the speeches several excellent selections of recitation and song, were given by the children all of which were well rendered and received due applause.

Rev. Mr. Otto, of the German Church, made the opening prayer and Rev. Mr. Kulp, of the Methodist Church, pronounced the benediction.

Below we give the program in full.

PROGRAM.

Singing, 'Battle Hymn of the Republic.'
Prayer, Rev. Mr. Otto.
Reading, 'Our Flag,' M. E. Breen.
Presentation of Flag by E. W. Snedeker, in behalf of Daughters of Liberty.
Acceptance of Flag by Hon. J. D. Buckelew, President of Board of Education.
Recitation, 'Our Country's Flag,' Five Boys.
Singing, 'Red, White and Blue.'
Address, Rev. J. B. Kulp.
Reading, 'A Flag Song,' Ida Brown.
Singing, 'Flower of Liberty.'
Address by E. S. Hammell.
Singing, 'America' (All.)

Those of the Daughters who have especially labored hard to make the 'Flag Presentation' a success, are Mrs. E. W. Snedeker, Secretary, and Entertainment Committee, Misses Nellie Rogers, Carrie and May Applegate and Lillie Snedeker. The Councillor is Mrs. Ross Brown.

The flag was not flung to the breeze on account of the rotten condition of the flag-pole and its proximity to the school building, but the Board promised to have a handsome pole procured after the building is altered and to have the national emblem flung out at all proper occasions.

Thus ended a very pleasant affair.