The Arkansas banner., 1849-01-16
TIrn c0ssrEI asENr1Nr 1kf.f..


 fOr ihe purpose of returning te them the celors whlsh they Prspeaiedio the eompaby wlnsasiartlhg to Mexico, II was. Indeed, brilliant affair. The room waAdecefassd with much taste. in traly military slyay--the hangihgs Sf 'sred whiss and biae; the festocns Of stars aud stripes, tho noble eagle bearing our military cOat-af-aFuns tbe arm racks, studded with well polished lnuskets. and the ]" thousand lighis ftilsoted from he glissesine bayonets. gave te te decorations martial air that needed only the ratng sound of the 'sspt-stirring drum" to awaken csch beholder to deeds of daring. and to recall to his memory the history of tie dangers and the ssrfo of the last campaign,
 The ball was opened with the ceremony of the presentation ofthc coloss When the ladies were asse,nbcd, ilc remnani of the Guards" in undress uniform entered the ball room. and their flag, con siderabiy "f faded and tern by tho winds and the stOrm,s was returned by Captain PIKE to the lady who presented il, ln June, Is46. Capt PtKE sd- dressed the lady in Inc following eloquent remarks
 "To you, Miss BCcKNER, and through you, as scr representative to the ladies of Little Rock, the members of ss Inc Guards have directed Ue to re- turn tis flag, made by fair bands, and presented to them. with kind words and wishes eloquen, with
 
 for Mexico
 When it was received, they directed me 10 pro- mise for them that Il should never be dishonored; and that, SO long single left, 1t should be upheld and protected. What they promised, tha, did they performs It has led the advance into many town in Mexico; floating over a single squadron, ithas been borne through the tnniuit of the battle on the glorious field of BuESA VIsrA; and il has come back st least not dshonored be restored to those who gave it.
 That summer early in which we set forth on our march passed swiftly away. and, as she fled, i insh<u back and saw the sober autumn standing amid the orange trees 10 welcome us to Mexico. To autumn succeeded winter, with wind and storm, and the fire and smoke of battle: Spring followed with her fair hands full of fruits and flowers. and with slow and reluctant steps gave place again to summer, before from the home of the cactus and the alOe from the gardeus of the lemon and pomegranate, we turned our weary feet towards home. Not all reiurned-for some lamented, loft there to sleep their deep and quiet sleep under tho shadows of the mountains.
 And whenever we looked upon this flag, during that long and toilsOne campaign, whether when the 6rs. rays of the morning bathed ifs white field with flood of golden light, or atmid-dsy, when, al retreat the long of the level sunset were shot against it, thoughts fled back from the monotony of the camp 10 our home, 10 wives, to sisters to those who presented us this flag dearer to us than the Roman Eaglea to the solaiery of the Eternal Cty--to those into whose eyes the tears had sprung at our departure. and who we knew were listening, with trembling anxiety, to hear of its fate and the fate of those who bore it; and when, through the long and weary watches of the night, could longer it, the rustling of its folds in the night wind signing from the cold mountains spoke to our hearts like encouraging voice from home, chcered it's in the performance of every duty. and told us of the welcome that would greet our return.
 So much have been requested tosay. But now, and LeFe, where and when il may properly bo done. desire to add word of my own. Those whom had the honor to command, including those } to whom you gave this flag, proved themselves worthy of the gift At the strictest discipline they FepIned; from the ,Sil aud the most immiSent danger they never shrunk, until they earned for themselves, and ever maintained, high and proud and euviable position in the army. Here, publicly, thank them for it. wish no higher honor than 10 have commanded such squadron; and now aud hereafter. here or wherever else may be. my heart will warm to every one of them as to a brother.
 l Receive, lady. the flag you presented. And if it's fair gvers will return in is stead smile Tor those who have come back, and tear for those who died under 1t ia Mexico, we shall be amply repaid for that eventful year spentu the service of our coun- 1 try"
 ! To this Miss BrcKSER wi,h an ease and grace little o be expected in young and fair, before so large an audience, beautifully replied:
 "Cap,aia Piks, and GsnRenea efIie Guards: It is with proud satisfaction that the ladies of Little Rock aeeep, this war-wcrn emblem Of your services. Upon iis presentation 10 you, the ledge was boldly given. yonr part that, through plivation and dan ger, whether in the biveusc CT amid the blaze of battle il should be pressrved, a, ail hazards, ,- ulnphani ard antarnished; and braveiy have you maintained this pledge.
 None Hl deny tho enduring perseverance with which, under its folds yeu sought the enemy. None can deny the undann,ed gaHaniFy with which it was borne through the cannon storm al Baena yista for these are facts which already embeIsh the history Of the Mexieaa war. and be pages of that history viii tell in gratifying language. how truly and how iearlsssly you done your duty to your country You formed a portion of the eitixen-soldiesy whose eh,vary is that war has won the admiration of the world, and whose successes have stricken with as- ioaishmeni every Earopeaa power. You can claim the honor of having aided in the 1 acquisition of territory which is daily developing splendid resources of fertility and beauty while il sarpasses in richness the widest dreams of it's first eonqueroEs. This grand addition ,e our dominion may have heen projected by the wisdom and states manship oi rne nation, hat il was asscspnsaed and eoasamrnased only by the ready hands and devoted hearts of the brave youaiees, To lheir ttnwaysrinr Love el country, and to their .daniiabls co,itaga