The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-08-16
The Flag Presentation.

dress the meeting. His speech, tho who'll
unprecedented, was strong and argument:
tive. lie compared very happily the preser
contest in which the democracy are engage,
to the contest in 1900, when jefferson wa
elected and pointed out the similarity of tn
grea, issues then and now involved
ing them en- both occasions TO have refcrenc
TO the same great doctrines of the rights
the states, and of religious freedom and tolt
ration.
He dwclt on the incongruous character c
the elements that compose the present fusio
party, showing that from the very nature q
the combination its hour of triumph as wei
as its hour Of defeat, must be the hour Of it
/ dissolution. In either event, like the Xii
kenny cats, they would drown thcmselve.
/ While, on the contrary, the democrati
party, knit together by common and grea
/ and righteous principles, would come GU
Of the smoke and din of defeat compac
and vigorous as before, prepared on the in
slant to renew the combat. Such a part'
.
could never be ovcrthrown.
He referred with much humor TO the fire.
quency with which the opposition change,
their name, and with the name their hob
bies,-ior principles they had nonc-anC
while no democrat could tel this wear " ha
would be the name and slubboleth of ia,
party opposed TO him next year, one thing
could always be relied on. that they wonld
be opposed to the great principles OF the de.
mOcrat!c party.
At the close Of Mr. ilsc's speech, which
elected frequent rounds of applause, T. X
LELAND arose 10 present the Flag TO the club,
which mad been received from Mr. Cushu!an.
Nr. Leland performed the greatful duty III
the following terms:
Mr.. President ahd GeAtiemei-I have re-
ceivcd from Hon. William IT, ". Cushman.
this beautiful national flag, with a request
that ! would present it IN his maine 10 the
Democratic Club OF Ottawa
la the letter accompanying this present.
"a present which, sure, the members
ot this Club viii not receive without emo
ton, and viii highly prze,) Mr.. Cushnan
says
- have not placed any inscription or
name upon THIS flag because | deemed II
useless, claiming as we 90 that ouls l. the
only Hdt'0H1t party, ami that the Hafi0H :
ems Gn Is the true index to our principles
and intentions. Let 1t je uniur!cd to the
breeze therefore, IS 1t Is->!mpiy tine Ua-
ton : flag. The patriotic viii know where
II find 1t even tho obsougod 10y the smokc
O! the .tDse. la ,nc van It viii wave surely
and us sGSSPFfIy fIy mIygiHaGHpha u. Mns the NOBLE
II, and watch with intcTcsI tHv -
opponents turning their guns upon their
leaders, enraged at the ialsehood. which led
them into the ranks of dIsuuiou
Mr. President and ceutIcmcn--Such 4
present a. this, coming from an honorable
gentl. man, with sgcn sentiments a. have
quoted, must, | apprehcUd, he peculiarly ac
ccYtanlc to TIM ClUb-cspccIa.iy al 4 time
like this, when trea>onable fanaticiSm open
IL and iHsidiously strikes at the republic. l.
comes from a fellow-to wusmau, and brother
,!emocrat-from friend OF the Union, and
as good a friend of freedom exists III our
land-irom one whom the democracy OF this
county unanimously desired TO be their can
didatc for Congress.
viii of the majority fairly expressed in con
ycntion, and therefore zealously support as
that candidate Mr.. OSgOod, OF Joliet, we can
not fail To use all honorable means to secure
tie election of Mr. Cushman 10 the Senate
of our State.
l. there any one who can gaze on the ban
ncr Of "Stars and Stripes and not feel
stirred within by patriotic emotions: or,
who can fail to recall the glorious achieve
mcnts of the heroic men who. on land and
sea have borne il through blood to victory:
If so, the heart cf a democrat don't beat IN
his bosom.
Democrats claim, and justly, that their
party is en!ncutly patriotic. TO prove this,
the, point with pride TO the history Of that
party. Has there been a war in which our
nation was engaged wherein they have not
aided II promote the success
of the American arms: Have they ever
held meetings or conventions IN time of war
to dcnouncc the administration and express
for the enemy: Have they ever
in time of peace failed TO watch with almost
sccplcSS vigilance the movement OF foreign
; atcS: Have thcv not sought by acquisi-
tions of territory and otherwise to increase
our power, wealth and prosperity-to gain
a commercial supremacy and to guard and
protect our commerce and States more etli-
ciently against foreign asgrcssions: Have
they not uniformly sought to ailay sectional
strife and agitation-to restore such degree
of harmony as secures the safety of the re-
public? Have they ignored political fellow
ship with fifteen States Of this conied,racy:
Have they disregardcd the decisions OF The
judiciary and set defiance the laws of the
land? Have they not invariably frowned
upon every movement tending to dissolution
and civil war? Have they not encouraged
the oppressed of other lands to make Anne
rica their home-thus improving their own
condition and adding to our strength, wealth
and prosperity? Are they not th- only
party now in cX ,tence undhiWOnsty opposed
10 prescription on account of birthplace or
religion?
The successful execution Of the policy of
he democratic party has made our country
what it is-poweriul, prosperous beyond
parallel and of all Tations the most free
This is sufficient guarantee to the patriot
hat continuance of that policy will best
promote the highest interests of his country. (
rhe democrat is satisfied to remain with his
party. He will not 60 into the ranks of the
the ranks Of those whose |
past course las been an;agonis,Ic to the wei /
are ana prosperity OF the government Gre
lted bv means OF the struggles of the |
fathers of the revolution ~ He will not ioin |
those who seek destruction of the Union,
Or who would reduce the foreign born to a !
state little better than slavery
1t is true, there is no inscription on this !!
lag. and we want none there. We want
simply the national flag. The democracy
will not be satisfied with any other They
L. Ct cs.6
single stripe thscured they want to
behold it as it is, and as it has been-with
star for eacn State in the Union, and stripes
ror the ."Old Thirteen" They will recOg-
,ze it then wherever ii may be-they will
rejoice beneath it in time Of peace-they
will bear it in triumph against hostile in
radarc and IL III. time Shall ever come