Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-15
Banner Presentation.

The presentation of large and handsome silk
banner to the Washington Light Infantry took
place yesterday morning in front Of the residence
OF }. ID. Hoover, esq, the United States marshal
Tor this District, in the presence of large mum
Der OF spectators The flag was presented, on be-
half OF his tellow-citizens, by Mr.. Hoover, who
addressed the company in graceful and effective
speech, as follows.-Union
"SoLpIERs: have been selected on behalf 81
the citizens OF this city to present yon this beauti
ful flag.
Nineteen years ago the Washington LIGHT
Infantry, the name that your corps still bears
was organized, and on this day lust nineteen
years ago lis flrst parade was made. The inter
val betM cen the organization Of your corps and
the present can safely assert has served TO in
crease the confidence and admiration elected by
It's trst appearance; and the example then set by
your corps immediately suggested and stimulated
similar enterprises, which subsequently proved
successful, and the result is the magnificent resI-
lnent OF volunteers now the pride and boast oftiie
District. Up.
The insignifcance in number Of the regular
army Of the United States, even at this day. when
our power and greatness place us among the first
powers OF the earth, when contrasted with the
armies OF other powers of any magnitude shows
that it was intended by our forefathers simply rs
a nucleus around which to rally the militia 10
whom was chiefly intrusted the defence Of our
country; and nobly, heroically, has that militia
attested It's ability to sustain the trust confided to
II at all times, and everywhere, at home or
abroad. The revolution, the war of 1912, our
Indian war, and the war with Mexico all illus
trate the heroism, the devotion, the energy, and
the intelligence OF the American volunteers.
Experience, then, having shown that we can
confidently rely upon our citizen soldiery hold
that Il is the duty of all good citizens to encourage
the formation of volunteer military organizations,
and thus foster the martial spirit, so that at all
times we may be fully prepared either for attack
or defence.
"Soldiers! 1t was the odd Guard of Napoleon
at Waterloo, at the close of that terrible day,
which for long time sustained the whole shock
Of the opposing armies whilst endeavoring to pro.
tect the flying remnants of that magnificent host
which entered, filled with confidence, into that
days battle. Each moment nearly decimated
that heroic band, until, struck with admiration al
the unparalleled valor it exhibited, and DESTROYS
OF saving from annhlation what remained Of that
until then lnvincible' guard, a proposal TO sur.
| render was sent to them. The allant colonel in
command instantly sent back the reply, ia gardt
neutt, nlafs ne rend pas | do not hesitate "a
say that believe, should the honor of our coun.
try or the defence Of its institutions require YOU
to initiate the example Of that 'Old Guard, that
you will devote yourselves as they did, and that
the language of that gallant colonel. sThe guard
| dies, but never surrenders, will be the motto
which you will then inscrbe upon this banner
| which, Captain Davis, have now the pleasure
to present, through you, to the corps under youI
command, as testimonial Of the confidence and
esteem OF the citizens of this metropolis