Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-07-09
FOURTH OF JULY AT STAUNTlON

The Anniversary of our National Independence,
Notwithstanding the frbdding state of the weather,
was celebrated at this place by the usual demonstr-
lions which mark the return of this memorable
day in the history Of our country.
AT an early hour the Staunton 1t. Infantry under
the command Of Capt. Baldwin, appeared on pa
rade In new uniform, and seemed to attract gene
raj admiration by their much improved appearance
and the regularity and precision Of their movements.
1he Infantry were joined by the Highland
Rifles, a newly formed company under the com
mand of Capt. BROOKE, and together made quite
handsome display. After marching through several
OF our principal streets to the excellent music of the
otaunton Band, the two companies repaired to the
Courthouse, where the Infantry were to receive
Flag which had been prepared for them by the
Ladies. H. PoRrERrIELD KINNEY, esq, being
delegated by the Ladies to present it, on their be-
half addressed the representative of tscompany in
the following beautiful and appropriate speech
l HAVE been delegated by some OF the young La
dies of our town, to present to you, sir, as the
representative of the Saunton Light Infantry, this
flag--not, sir, as mere matter of FORM or cere-
mony, or for display, but as a token of the deep
interest they feel i'm the success of your Company
and as the most appropriate mark OF the confidence
ucy itpoSc Ill you CltlLcn soldiers. III to the
citizen soldier that they look for protection, when
war, with its horrors, is raging. 1t is to the citizen
soldiery that they are bound, more especially, by
the ties OF kindred, of Affection and acquaintance
and 1t is the citizen soldier who is blest with their
| friendship, and their smiles in peace, with their
prayers and their sympathy in war. Occupying,
then, the relation, which the Ladies, and your Com
pany do, to each other this is the most appropriate
offering they could make, and this glorious anniver
sary the most appropriate day, upon which it could
be presented. Accept, then, this Flag-remember
! from whom II came-whcn it was presented, and
by whom it is 10 be defended and, should YOU
ever be called upon to meet the enemies OF your
country, take it with you TO the battlefield let
this Flag mark the spot where the battle RACES most
fercely; and, never sir, never, so long as one man
OF you survives, suffer the hand of an enemy to
desecrate this emblem of Liberty.
To which WILLIAM III. HARTMAN, ESQ, on the
part of the company, made the following eloquent
| response:
SIR-IT is no ordinary mark OF respect which
has been conferred upon by the Ladies and we
would little deserve the name Of men, much less
the character of chivalrous soldiers, did we not
fully appreciate 1t, and feel deeply grateful to them
have been delegated, sir, to receive this beautiful
Flag, in the name of the Infantry, and to return
their sincere thanks TO those fair beings who have
displayed SO great an interest in them. In the plain
but expressive language of the soldier, owe thank
you" But my duty does not cease here The
confidence reposed in us by the Ladies; your an
propriae remarks, in eXhorting us to do soldiers
duty, should it be our fortune to he called to
do battle IN defence OF our country, demand the
pledge, the solemn pledge, at our hands, that we
Will hold ourselves in readiness to march under
t,s Flag to the 'tented fied,' at the first sound
| OF the drum-and that we will shed the last dron
OF our blood in the defence of it. And can we fail
of success! OF covering ourselves with never-fad-
ing laures," should an opportunity present itself,
When we recall to our memories those, who have
this day presented to us the Flag under which we
are to march2 No, sir! We can never disgrace
these colours by acting the towards part They
Will inspire us with patriotic fire--they will teach
us to emulate the glorious example of our fathers
and II shall again be said OF our native mountains
III there be but a standard left, and the means of
planting 1t on the mountains of Augusta, there will
yet rally men around it who will raise their bleed
ing country from the dust" This Flag shall be
our rallylng point-its fuering folds shall fan our
valour--lts glorious Eagle shall struggle through
the raging storm of batte-ts shining stars shall
guide us mid the darkness of the coniict-whilst
we, with eyes fixed upon this, the banner of the
free, wrought by the hands of the beautiful with
memories of this day, which shall soften even the
grim horrors of war; and with hearts fired with
love for our country, with chivaric devotion to the
beautiful beings left behind us in our mountain
homes, shall press forward to ''victory or DEATH"
The interesting ceremonies at the Courthouse
being concluded, the Military marched to the
Methodist F.. Church, where a large number of
citizens had already assembled, and after fervent
and impressive prayer by the Rev. j. III. Brown,
the Declaration of Independence read by Lieut.
SAMUEL E. CLARKE, prefaced by some remarks,
and an Grafton, appropriate to the day delivered by
JOHN ID. IMBoDEN, esq
About IL O'Clock the two companies were Joined
by the Cavalry attached to the ODD Regiment, a
strong and fine looking body OF men, under the COM
mand of Capt. WILSON, when they marched to
grove at the east end of the town, (near Mr. Asts)
where bountiful picnic had been provided, and
after partakng of it, the rain continuing fall they
We're obliged to dismiss. Although the weather
was inauspicous, there appeared to be much en-
joyment, and every thing passed off tremendously
and pleasantly The display is thought to have been
one of the handsomest, of military kind, which
we have had for long time in our town; and it
is to be regretted that the day was so unfavorable
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN wAYNEs-
BOROUGH.
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