Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-09-28
MIR. ShunlS's German Speech.

Among other uniounded charges, he is said, at
the laying of the corner stone of Catholic |
Church, in this city IN 1872 to have trampcd |
upon the American Flag, and made a speech |
there. As this silly story is probably confoun-
ded with another transaction in which Mr.. |
Skunk took part, and from which it may have
derived some plausibilty, we publish the fol !
lowing facts.
IN the spring of 1914, the German Battalion
Of Volunteers Of this place received flag from
the Commonwealth and by resolution of the
officers, Mr. Skunk was appointed to present it,
on the anniversary of the birth Of Thomas JET.
ferson. On that day the Battalion assembled
in the City Of Allegheny, when Mr.. Skunk pre-
sented the flag to Major Anderegg, the Com
mander of the battalion, on which occasion. Mr..
Skunk delivered the following address in the
German language, which was then published
in The German papers and has now been trans
lated for this paper.-PutsbWg Daily.
GERMAN CITIZENS:
am rcjoiced, and am thankful for the ho
llOi VI having OctH uPFDllttu W p'totht tHS idg'
First, because have been designated on the
part Of the Communicable, to shew its kind
ness towards this battalion; and secondly, be-
cause on this occasion you celebrate the hun
Jefferson TIE great apostle Of liberty. The flag
is an ancient symbol or unity, and has for time
immemoral been used by divisions OF armies.
We find from the lst chapter of the 4th
book Of Moses, that the Lord commanded the
children of Israel ito pitch their tents every
man by his own camp, and every man by his
oun standard, throughout their hosts"
The flag or standard OF any army is not used
as an idle ornament, but it has nober object
In success it waves in triumph, and in de-
feat it is lowered in despondcncy. The hero
defends his flag, and his name shines on the
page OF history The coward who deserts it is
stamped with ntamy
You are an American German battalion, and
are associated a. Volunteer soldiers to deitnd
this, your adopted country, your new tatherland.
You are arrnyed here not as Germans, but as
citizens of this free land. The nation from
which you have sprung is the warrant for your
spirit and hcroisn, your love of country, and
devotion to the equal rights ofall.
/ As Americans you have united TO defend our
borders against all enemies Of the republic, and
by your patriotism am assured that you will
stand as a wall of fire in her defcnce. And
that this flag will lead you only to victory.
The motto il bears is the motto OF our beloved
country, Virtue, Liberty and Independence, and
is an inducement to noble deeds and honorable
actions.
You have an example worthy of imitation in
the Germans who settled in Pennsylvania pri-
or to the revolution. They left their homes
and baitled here for liberty. They left the
graves of their fathers and the places where
they sported in youth, TO enjoy the equal rights
fman in this Western World. They were an
industrious aud patriotic people They spent
their property and spilled their blood in de-
fence of liberty, the love of which they cher
ished in their hearts.
And when the great Declaration of Indepcn-
day of whose author we are celebrating, every
German American heart beat with JOY and hope
and in the contest that enSued, the Germans
were always on the side Of liberty. This touch.
ing example of predecessors, will lead you in
the path OF honor to renown, II ever our inval.
liable principles should be invaded. BeIUro
present the flag, permit me to say word OF
the distinguished author OF the Declaration OF
Indepcnce. Thomas JrtierSon-whose CEN
tennial birth day We are celebrating, Was II
his day one of the most decided aud mighty de
Tenders O: the equal rights Of man. His impor'
tant services IN the war for Liberty, and in or
ganzng and conducting the Government OF the
Republic, will be discussed by the reverend and
gifted orator OF the day. Permit me, however
to repeat one of hs sentiments, To which
know you will all respond, it Isl have sworI
upon the alter OF my God, eternal enully u
gainst every form Of tyranny over the mind o
man Ills life proves his devotion to this sen
tment.
, This FLAG has been given to you be the State
, of Pennsylvania as a token of appreciation, anC
TO quicken your hcroism. The practice on 80
, emn occasions 10 present banners is an ol'
f pIuctce. Among the ancient Germans, If I
! knight was able to lead ten other knights agans
the enemy, the Ilerzog gave him banner an'
he was called Bannerherr. Thus present Ia
{ flag to you the Mai Jor Of tn volunteer battal
h ion which has been organized 10 defend ou