And all those persons who signed the "Poster" THE MEETING MAJOR WM. H. ANDERSON MR. EDWARD H. MURPHY Chairman Secretary PRAYER BY THE REV. MERCER G. JOHNSTON O Lord our Governor, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who hast made and preserved us a nation, great and strong, rejoicing as a giant to run its course, we beseech Thee direct and prosper all our acts and utterances in this mass meeting to the advancement of Thy glory, the good of all mankind, the honor, welfare and peace of our Nation. We are met together in this strange land in which Thou hast been pleased to plant the American flag, for the not unfriendly purpose of making plain to the blind leaders of the blind over whom that flag floats, the fiery halo about its Stars and Stripes, and the pit of destruction that awaits the foolish body who, being forewarned, refuses to loose the latchet of his shoe before he sets foot on the holy ground within that awful circle. The Nation's flag is the Nation's Sacrament. The Stars and Stripes are the Bread and Wine of America: the outward and visible sign of the inward and spiritual grace of patriotism: the symbol of our passionate love for the land of the free and the home of the brave. Let no demagogue, no fanatic, no opportunist, no dreamer of fondly foolish dreams, forget this, O God, lest we be tempted above that we are able to endure. We would not willingly seem to be too easily jealous; we would not willingly seem greatly to find quarrel in a straw, save when national honor is indeed at the stake; but knowing by the quickened motion of our blood at the first sign of disrespect towards our country's flag, that once being wrought in this matter, we would be perplexed in the extreme, we venture, while as yet it is full time, to bare our bosoms to those with whom we are willing to be friends, that they may see the ominous surgings there, and cease inviting the storm that would sweep away forever the possibility of friendship. Fill us with the fear and love of Thy holy Name, O merciful and magnanimous God of our fathers. Suffer us not to forget the dignity and responsibility of our American citizenship and our divine sonship. Let us not do or speak aught in malice; let us not even give to "any unproportioned thought its act." Let mercy and truth meet together in our words, and righteousness and peace kiss each other in our acts. And, O Heavenly Father, let Thy continual pity, we beseech Thee, cleanse our hands, free our hearts from every root of bitterness, and broaden and deepen our sense of brotherhood that we may be worthier of our national ideals, and worthier to be a guard of honor to our Nation's flag here in this strange land. Amen. THE MASS MEETING Chairman Wm. H. Anderson, after securing the attention of the vast assemblage, made the following appropriate and patriotic introductory remarks: "The United States Government, of which we are a part, is responsible, through Congress, for the present chaotic condition in the Philippine Islands. In mapping out the affairs touching the general policy relating to these insular possessions, the local authorities have little or no power. "It is always pleasing to study a Government from a removed point of view. The fiery contest of political strife between Republicans and Democrats is missing here. We have forgotten the torchlight procession of campaign meetings, the crime of '73, the free silver bugaboo, the goldbug, and all that pertains to them. 4-55584 "We are all united in our Philippine politics. We have forgotten the platform of the Prohibitionists and never object to tempering our soda with a small amount of Scotch. The Populist, the Democrat, the Republican, are one. It is gratifying to find what unanimous harmony exists among Americans who have cast their fortunes in these Islands. It is certain that we are united in our desires to see these Islands advance for the Filipinos as well as for ourselves. The progress of the one will necessarily bring progress to the other. We are here to support good Government, and the better Filipinos are with us. We want order and we do not want strife. We believe after the patience displayed for five long years that we are entitled to a declared policy. Without an outlined policy, we cannot go ahead. Capital will not come to our aid and the long-dreamedof material prosperity will never be |