New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-03-05

tual in bringing about such result We learn however
tnsse N he o. osf N the
forests they to nhat,r that earnest ana
never ceasing desire for the perpetual Union OF our whoe
occupied the American mind 1t has grown with our
growth strengthened with strength forms part Of
national character and is Inherited n.y. us from our
forefathers. Our present Constitution OF the United
States signed by the hand of the immortal Washington
and the production of his WISDOM ana that Oh ms nus,
trious associates has secured to let hope for all
time this inestimable blessing which the compacts and
bills of rights and articles of of their pre-
decessors failed in attaining 1t has made prosperous
and mighty amongst the mghtest nations of the earth
so that other States to us for aid and in their
weakness would fain upon Ihas given
Government character for permanency. that whilst
all civilized Europe has been convulsed country has
| been mistaken Whilst Kings have been dethroncd,
Pope leposed Ministers banished and Princes eXpari
ated whilst civil has uprooted systems of govern
ment old history blessed Republic has stood
firm and immoveabe as her mountains. And though
reckless and uneasy spirits blinded by finacisl
ambition have at times unfurled the flag of disu
non millions of hands have been at once outstrctched
from all sections of country to tear down It's
accursed folds to trample them forever in the dust In
der the operation of our wise Constitution SHALL in the
words of great and glorious man, still keep lamp
burning brightly this western shore, light to all
nations. Right wisely, then, say again, has this hal
lowed day been selected from the whole calendar the
anniversary of department which numbers among its
members many patriotic and estimabe citizensa de-
partmen whose voluntary formation and whose useful
to be the peculiar offspring Of our free govern
| mcnt.
The fire departments of other countries for the
ary discipline under the pay and exclusive control of the
government This is the case i'll France and England and
most European nations 1t is only believe in the United
States that Fire Companies Incorporated at the n
stance of the citizens themselves. and that all Flremen
are volunteers About 100 years ago, destructive fire
| having occurred in Nicomcdia. which consumed many
private dwellings and costly ec Pliny to the
Emperor ragan urging upon him the propriey OF incor
poratng Fire Company in that city. to be composed of
hundred and fifty artisans promising to see that their
association should be turned to other purpose and adj
ding that it would be difficult matter to keep guard
few PERSONS but the Emperor refused to carry into
effect his recommendation fearing that they might create
disturbances and the power conferred them for
dangerous purposes If it permitted that the proud
Roman should revisit this earth and witness the celebra
tions of this day. how readily would he frake the gods of
his heathenish doatry to fall down and worship at the
shrine of American Liberty We fear treason in q
land where traitors and in the association OF
good for good purposes do not appreend violations
Of the public Tranquility For myself as have your
splendid procession passing through tronged streets
remarked the sunbcams gittering your banners.
and listened to the swelling strains of patriotic music that
heraded the coming of your bands / have owned my
breast filled with patriotic ardor felt that your glory
glory and blessed the good God that had cast my lot
in land where labor of danger and of sefsacritce
| Il labor of love and Of pride.
The soldier goes forth to battle for glory for gold
The intrepid mariner launches his adventurous bark upon
the waters and that just reward will crown his
hardy enterprise Men not danger merely for itself
while the valor of ayarce is lightly to be valued But
the Fireman forgets interest in the promotion of the gen.
eral good lie leaps amidst thousand thickest dangers.
and asks not for laurel while he spurns reward Let the
sound of the alarm come upon his ear and he bounds
forth his disintereste mission. like greyhound from
the leash He reaches the spot where every energy is
called at once into action lie ninges in the hrong that
crowd around the frightful lie the mighty
element at its work Its ercencss and its strength strike
terror to his soul but to awaken him to rcdouhe
efforts He watches its forked tongues stream forth from
window chnk anu Granny. 1t crackles and roars. as
though Knocked mans puny efforts to subue it, Moth
ing daunted he wreses with it brayey. But should he
hear cry OF distress from within. he plants his ladder
against the uncertain wall and through smoke. and
flames and falling beams, onward, on he pushes still.
perchance to poor forslken child This
/
| these things.
Not then from historians pen or poets lyre-not from
the common voice OF public eulogy in the hacneyed
phrase of fame does the Fireman meet his reward Yet
often amid the quiet of the peaceful residcin the still
ness of the midnight chamber do swelling hearts tell
their silent gratitude and mothers they clasp their
infants to their breasts send blessings forth to fall upon
| your heads
But the public services of the Fremen of NewOrleans
not confined to the stirring Of strife with that
element which it is their peculiar province to subdue
Laws, human and divine. alike enjoin the duty
exercising charity and it is by beautiful intuition that
her voice reaches the heart of the unttored savage
1t is then but in obedience to their duty as Christians
and that the Fremen of city have formed the
Firemens Charitable Association institution created
for benevolent purposes. With its provisions and opera
ton you all familiar 1t visits the bedside of the sick
and brings with it bams and blessings 1t speaks to the
sorrowstrcken in tones of consolation and of kindness
1t takes the orphan by the hand and whispers words of
hope and of sympathy in his 1t pours ray of
shine into the widowed heart and makes that sadencd
heart to sing for joy Nor does it ba2cn forth to the
world its mertorous actions but in the considerate
spirit of true charity that yunteh not itself proud
the good deeds the hand showers its bounty
| is hid from public gaze.
The Fire Deparme of city has always been dis
tnguhed by The harmony which prevails among its
bers and by their love of public order These have
contributed greatly to their usefulness at home and to
the high reputation they sustain abroad NewOreans,
boast has been the theatre of of riot
and bloodsed such have sometimes disgraced the Fire
men of other cities and the entire reorganization of the
department which is rendered necessary by the
union of the several municipal governments into
portion. while it will afford you opportunity of
rectng such evils now prevail in your present organza
ton is to be hoped will bind you still closerin the bonds
| of union and good fellowship.
1t is beautiful and by unpoetic sentiment
that induces those who in life have been thus united to
desire that in death they should repose side by side And
is from this feeling that your department has estab
lished in the suburbs of city that beautiful burial
ground Cypress Grove Ccmery where every fireman may
of many brave whose memory is still fresh in the
collection of grateful community Here embodied in the
arms Of that smber that knows. dreams waking
the flowers that have been planted by loving hands spring
up to cast their grateful odor above their resting place
and the winds of Heaven abstain from visiting too roughly
the silent solitude that guards their everlasting sleep
Peace hath her victories well and he deserves
to be cassed among heroes who is enabled by deeds
inrepidty and valor render efficient services to his
tellowen. In the days of chvary the hero received
his reward i'll the smiles and appreciation of gentle
naiden-the chosen flower of his love Surely, each
of you may well bear himself to-day proudly as the
worthest Knight of oden times. And though some Ro-
may look in vain to find his gentle Juliet in the goodly
array of fair ladies who adorn this audience and halow
swell with pride to know that they assembled here
testify their appreciation of your yulor and your public
| services