. Well, when the anniversary of the death
and victory of this great captain of the Swedish host came
round,--the 6th of November, 1883,--and when the great choral
societies of Stockholm, bearing banners and followed by vast
multitudes of the Swedish populace, marched through the streets
of Sweden's capital, and gathered about the mausoleum on the
Island of Knights, where lies the mighty dead, sang paeans in his
praise, then it happened, somehow, that, regardless of precedent
or custom, the flag of the free republic--aye! flag, flagstaff,
golden eagle, and all--was run out from the American Legation;
and the starry banner of America waved in unison with the yellow
cross of Sweden, in honor of the mightiest warrior for the
freedom of our faith.

This act was everywhere approved in Sweden. It was praised by
both the people and the press. After this, it may well be
believed, the flag of America floated unchallenged in the
capital of the Northland. It waved on high on the birthday of
Washington, on that Memorial Day when we decorate the graves of
our brave boys in blue who saved the Union, and on the Fourth of
July, that gave the Republic birth. But I hoisted our flag
impartially, on Swedish holidays as well as our own; and the
Stars and Stripes floated out as proudly on the birthday of King
Oscar as on that of Washington.

"If any man attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the
spot," commanded General Dix; but the United States may well be proud of
having herself hauled down her flag on one occasion not many years ago.
After the Spanish-American War had been fought, the treaty of peace with
Spain put Cuba into the hands of the United States, and the
star-spangled banner was raised and saluted. This was in 1899. The three
years following this act were busy ones with the War Department, for in
its control was left the management of all Cuban affairs. Cuba was
cleaned up, the yellow fever stamped out, schools were established,
peace restored, a constitution adopted by the people, and a president
elected. May 20, 1902, was the date set for the sovereignty of Cuba to
pass into the hands of the Cubans. The island had been made free, and
now she was coming to her own. Havana was in her best. Flags floated
from every house. Ships displayed both the American and the Cuban flags.
When the moment arrived, Gene