The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-13
From the Baltimore Patriot ofFrday
PRESENTATION OF A BANNER TO THE
OLD DEFENDERS.

OLD DEFENDERS
/, The ceremony of presenting national banner,
prepared by the ladies' to the defenders OF Baltimore
at the battle of North Point in 1914, took place this
morning in front of Mr.. Samuel Jennings's dwelling,
Fayette street. Its presentation was accompanied
with the following eloquent and appropriate address,
by Benjamin g. FRESHMAN, esq, who represented
the ladies':
"OLD DEFENDERS OF BALTIMORE; ! stand before
you on this deeply interesting occasion, the unwor-
thy representative of tho ladies' of Baltimore, to ask
your acceptance at their hands Of this banner, as
tribute of the cordial and unaffected gratitude which
is justly due by them to your venerable and hon
ored association. Actuated by that holy love OF
country which has ever characterized American wo-
men, and impelled by that kindred sentiment OF
gratitude which they feel towards those VINO nave
done that country service, they desire to mark on
this day the high appreciation and the exalted esti
mate 10 which they hold the distinguished services
YOU have rendered our common country in the hour
Of that conntry's need. In you they recognise the
remnant Of that gallant band who stood forth in de-
fence of their homes and iresides when menaced by
the approach of an invading foe. To you, and such
you, citizen sodiery, we are indebted under our
free institutions, for whatever of honor prosperity
and glory we enjoy under the shelter of the wings
Of our American eagle. To you, and such as you,
the chosen protectors Of the republic, we owe that
boosted heritage Of liberty on this free SOIL where the
stars and stripes so triumphantly
Der the land Of the free and the home Of the brave
"But there is peculiar interest inspired by this
cason, impressed in all its force on those whom it
is my grateful task TO represent, when standing in
the presence of the honored association who now
Surround me- You are the remnant of that gallant
band who, in 1914, and upon the ever-menorable
day Of which this is the joyous anniversary, brave
ly periled your lives in defence of this our loved and
cherished home. II is meet and appropriate that
we should thus assembly, and the ladies' of Balti-
more, with warm and glowing hearts, acknowledge
the deep debt of gratitude they owe to those who,
in years gone by, presented themselves as a voun-
teer breastwork in defence of their wives and daugh
ters Who that claims to be son of Baltimore
does not exult with pride in the glorious termination
of that eventful day' When we direct the admiring
gaze of the stranger to the marble column which
odorns city, who can forget that it is to you and
your brave companions. in-arms we owe this proud
and ennobling privilege Who that has felt his
bosom glow with patriotic emotion to the strains Of
our national anthem, will fail to remember that it
was your gallant bearing on that memorable day
which furnished the inspiring theme, and which
shall hallow and perpetuate throughout all time, for
our loved home, the cherished appellation of the
city OF the stav-spGngied banner?
."How striking the contrast which this anniversary
presents, this halcyon day Of peace and prosperity,
TO that day of gloom which was only lghtened by
the undying hope confidently placed in the patri-
otto courage of the men of Baltimore Instead Of
the hurried tread of soldiery, the call to arms, and
the anxious countenances Of those mothers and
daughters while buckling on the armor of the hus-
bands and sons-biddng them, in the language of
the Greciap mother, when placing the shields in their
hands, to return tciih them or upon them-behold
of peace and the offering of heartfelt graft
tude. There is one contrast, however, which can
not fail to present itself more especially to the MEM
bers Of the association themselves The revolution
of thirty years has stricken down many an old
companion-in-arms; and they who, in the hour of
have tosr tha6 IL ~,
silent tomb. The ladies' of Baltimore comminge their
grief with yours. Your Stricken, Armis.ead, Nc
Donald and host of kindred spirits, are no more.
The mufled drum, the solemn dirge, and the manly
tear, have attested the sorrow of the community in
which they lived respected and died lamented. Green
be the grass which covers the remains of an old
Defender. But these painful "reminiscences are not
without consolation. Most Of that gallant band
lived to witness the evidences Of their country's
prosperity, and to behold in them the enduring
monuments which their valor ami patriotism con-
trihuled TO build up. They lived to enjoy the highest
NEED Of praise-that which is dearest to every sol
dier's heartthe love and respect of all classes Of
the community, without distinction of age or SEX
sold Defenders, the ladies of Baltimore bid me say
10 you, that, in all the depth and fullness of wo-
mans heart, they honor and respect you. In rar,
you have been their shield of protection in peace,
their blessings are upon you. Old Defenders of
Baltimore, if upon this day there glitters upon your
bosom no embazoned star, placed there by a kingly
hand az significant Of your vaor in the tented field
there 10 within that bosom consciousness OF duty
performed, of sacrifices cheerfully made, in COM
parison with which il would be poor exchange for
the stars and carriers Of nobility In conclusion, the
Indies of Baltimore bid me say to you that the APP
pellation of an old Defender is, with them. as
proud title as an American citizen need aspire to-
1t is name inscparaby connected with whatever is
glorious in the annals Of Baltimore Take, then,
chs banner and with il receive the approving smile
Nvkich ready IN
who in war the bulwarks of their countrys safe
ty Take it, with the expression of those feelings Of
gratitude which words of mine can faithfully por-
tray. Take il, with their abiding confidence, Of
which your past galantry is the best pledge that
will never be dshonored in tho hands of the Old De-
tenders. And if again--which may Heaven avert
"a foreign foe, forgetful Of the might which sum-
bers in a freeman's ARM should pollule our soil
with the ootsep of invasioc, let it be seen in your
midst, with the war-worn banners which shall again
rally the sires aud sons of Baltimore TO the proec.
ton of her hearhs, her affairs, and her monuments
The beautiful gift was received by Gen. Anthony
Mlltenberger, on the part Of the Defenders in tho
following brief remarks
1--WE most gratefully accept this splendid banner
Dear as at all times to the man and tho soldier are
such tokens Of appreciation from those we most
love to honor, douby 20 do they become when thus
presented to the survivors of the fight by the wives
and daughters we then struggled to defend Years
tending, in the most grateful manner to the old SOL
dier, their thanks, their sympathy and their gral
tudc, for deeds performed ere many Of them had
seen the light.
Coming to us in this form, It can but again
awake the feelings Of our YOUTH and make our blood
again to course and Jingle in veins, as in those
days Of yore.
words must fail to express our feelings at this
beauteous and welcome offering. Spotless should
ever be the gift Of beauty; and whilst there survives
a Defender of 1874 but express the feelings Of
each and every one, in using the words of their own
motto in reply: The bannerever shall be our Clio.
ry in peace, and zoe its safeguard in war; y
After the above imposing ceremony was over, the
Defenders took up the line of march, with their
newly received national banner at their head, cheer
ed by the notes Of martial music, for Mount Glare
depot, where they took the cars for Washington,
ID. G. We wish them happy anniversary, and a
safe return to their homes. They were strong ip
numbers, presented venerable appearance, and
looked like patriots who had done good service IN