The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1847-01-14
THE SWORD REPRESENTATIONS. &c.

per, sau as W. put our pen the paper we find
mat every thing like romance or spirit flies from
IL owing To the bad manae emen,. and confined
c"mpass of the Hall. in which the ceremony was
ct necessity compelled tn he performed. We
viii venture tn assert that there is not a tuwu of
the same population Of ours. that is so badly pro
vided with place Of meeting f,r The citizens, and
yet we have large churches, which we suppose
are t"o holy for purposes of patriotism, and mos,
extensive Court House. with Hall of ample
dimensions tina, is closed aaains, the citizens of
the Town, because it belongs TO the County,
where some FIVE or ten self appointed magnates
meet monthly. Ia dispense justice to their lege
vassals of the Town-,his Hall. we suppose is too
new. To permit it 10 he desecra'ed by fellow
c"iz"ns. and our wives and daughters meeting,
t" such patriotic purpose as encouraging our
Volunteers In serve their country with fidelity to
her and honor To themselves.
But 20 the subject: After packing and unpack-
ing the Basement of the Baptist Church two or
three times, The effou was successful of getting
those. portion Of th,,se. who had To take part
in the ceremonies. foo,hold within the room
the meeting was then opened by an appropriate
prayer from The Rev Thos. Hume DR.. w. |.
C"cke then stated the object of those Who had
called the meeting, and introduced Col f. II.
Montague, who in neat address, which follows.
presented, in the name Of Mrs. FANNY Collins.
Sword to Capt. John p. Young, of the Ports
mouth Volunteers -
Capt, JOHN p. YOUNG =
In government like ours, where the SOVEREIGN.
ty resides in the people. and when the highest
stations are alike open 10 all. whatever affects the
interests. or concerns the honor If the country
cannot fail TO excite the deepest sensibility and
produce degree of feeling in the public mind.
al all times. proportioned. in its intensity ia the
cause which calls i, into heing. That sensibiy
often rises superior Ia party organizaton; and
forees all political divisions under the fraiern,zinp
Influence of pure and exalted patriotism-a
patriotism which leads every man Ia regard him
self as an integral part of that sovereignty and
national honor uf which his government is hut the
concentrated representative.
Under the despite systems of the old world
II is far different Then The grea, massess Of
the community, though constituting The efficient
physical force of the government. are neverthe-
less excluded To great extent from all partirpa.
iIon in The honors and emolnments of official
station. and thereby deprived of the chief incentive
tn patriotic emotion. The services which thew
are forced to perform spring rather from fear of
thetr rulers, than love of country and attachment
presslve subscriptions and ojions mpressments in
order To sustain the wars in which they NAV be
Involved Here no such means are ever requisite
IL Is only necessary for citizens 10 learn that
the government needs their services and at once
they flock TO its standard. The question is not
who can be excused from rendering their services2
This truth so highly creditable to the honor and
patriotism OF our conntrymen. has been most nobly
aitesIed in three memorable instances within the
brief period of our national exstence-in our
hfst great struggle for independence our war
OF lclH Tor equal privileges. and the security of
our flag on the high way of natIons-and in onr
present contest-tor the rights of our citizens and
the integrity of our soil, and ii cannot but be a
jdst cause of graifcat lion and commendahle State
pride To every true son of the Old Dominion Ia
know, that on each Of those occasions she has
stood among the first and in The foremost rank
Nor have her suns, only. given evidence of
LOYALTY 10 The State and devotion To the interests
and honor of the country. The softer farer sex,
have caught the glorons inspiration, and while
the customs of society and the delicate texture of
physical formation have prevented their march T.,
the tented field, they have encouraged our sey oy
their blessings and their smiles, and with the
spirit of the Roman matron in the best DAYS Of
that republic, sent forth broihers-husbands -sons
and l may add those standing in a still more
delicate relation. To hear the stripes and stars
promo emblem ot our country's glory, wherever
the path of dnty and Of honor shall lead. In snch
a cause. palsled must be The heari-d.a d indeed
TO every noble and generous impulse must he the
soul that can remain nninspirited when woman's
blessings-when woman's approving smile rests
upon 1t. II is that. which more than aughi earth
~ besides. snsIains The patriot soldier amid the
PriVations ut the camp-neTyes his arm in the
fearful hour of confic,-and gives BRIGHT and
joyous charm tn all his rIiumphs Nay it is that
which mpars the anImating principle to
boasted love Of country. Remove the influence
OF woman-gentle. lovely woman, and patriotism
Will soun become hut name-the representative
of an emotion no longer existing
You SIR, and your brave comrades will 90 forth
under that inspiring influence, and thnnoh gentle
In lis natnre, yet il will prove. | trust, mighty
enough in its effects 10 conduct you to glory and
to triumph. One Of your iownswomen, thouph
separated for time from the fond endeasments of
home and the grateful association of friends, vet
keenIy alive 10 the honor nf your town. and Justly
proud OF the noble patriotism of yourself ard The
gallant spirits around you, being unable to attend
In person, has hOnored me with commission to
meet you on this occasion-fo bear to y0n her
blessIng-and in her name to cheer YOU on in The
path of duty and of glry on which you have
entered And as an evidence Of her respect for
your worth as gentleman and her confidence in
yonf skill and bravery soldier, she desires me
to present TO you in her behalf this beautiful
sword with the expression of her confident as.
snrance mat IN your hands the bright lustre of IFS
poiIsh VIII never be dimmPd by one stain nf dis.
honor hui on the contrary that it will be fahfnl-
~ employed, as It ever should he, in protecting
the rights and defending the honor Of our common
country.
Before concluding the performance of this most
agreeable duty, ii gives me pleasure TO say that
am aso desired TO present TO yun and your asso
ciaes in arms, assurance Of the high respect and
warm regard Of your esteemed townsman, DR.
VIM Collins. and your distinguished fellow cili
49, a.