Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1857-09-26
The Fair.

catinc County Agricultural Society, which
closed yesterday, fell short of any of its pre-
decessors both in the attendance Of visitors
and in the number and variety of articles on
exhibition. Entries were made in every
class, we believe, but in most instances only
a few articles were entered and in some there
was no competition. This poor display is
undoubtedly owing to a general disposition
to hold off for the State Fair
For list of the premiums awarded, &C. :,
we refer the reader to another column.
| The most attractive incident of the Fair
was the presentation Of banner to the Mus
catine Light Guards. This gallant COM
pany, atlired in their handsome uniform
were the ''observed of all Observers" The
members of Unger's Sake horn band were
also attired in a new and beautiful uniform,
and, as usual, contributed much to the pleas
ure and interest of the occasion by their
sweet strains of music. The banner above
alluded to was obtained in Boston, by Mr.
Geo. G. Stone, at his own expense. 1t is
very rich and and elegant. On one side is
the representation Of military company
with scroll above them on which is inscrib-
ed the Latin quotation, "Dulce est pro pa
tria mort,' the English Of which, we be-
lieve, is sit is sweet to die for ones coun-
try" The words s'Muscatinc Light Guards,
-organized February 22d, 1885," are in
scribcd beneath. On the opposite side is the
coat of arms of Iowa, and the representation
of an Indian hunter with his squaw and pap
poose, surrounded by wild forest and river
scenery.
The following presentation speech was
delivered by VIM. F. Brannan, Esq, in his
usually elegant and impressive manner:
Captain WALLACE: Permit me, sir, in
the name and at the request of our generous
, t,wnsman, Mr.. GEORGE c. STONE, to present
to the company under your command, for
their acceptance, this beautiful emblem of
National Independence. 1t is presented as
testimonial of the high esteem with which
volunteer organizations, composed as yours
is COMPOSED, and designed as yours is
designed, must alvays be regarded in a
country where Ll.F val liberty is the lest
defence and O. ~ ity IF ltional free
dom. Acting preventative of Mr..
Stone, and spe, him on this occasion,
it would not be coming in me to dwell
upon the multiplied instances Of public mu-
nilicence that mark his character as citizen,
or that large measure of private philanthro-
by that distinguishes him in the more retired
! walks of life.
| The sight which is to-day presented the
bnrnished arms and serted ranks, the steady
tramp of trained soldiers and the sounds Of
martial music, strike neither terror to our
hearts nor Indignation to our minds. They
| tell us not of despotism at home, seeking
to crush out in the best blood of our natures,
every sentiment of freedom, and every in
stinct of patriotism. They tell US not of
| the advance of n forei On foe, invading our
territory, with his hired legions, and seeking
in our conquest a fresh trophy to unholy
ambition, and marking his progress with the
carnage of our people and the desolation of
our towns. They tell US not of a stern ne
ccssity that DEGREES that you, sir, and your
compan ons i'll arms, must leave the COM
forts of home and the society of friends for
the :'tented te and wars alarums." They
tell US nothing of them. They excite neither
dread in ourselves nor apprehensions for you.
Bat they tell US, sir, that you and your fell
low soldiers are our nei ghbors and friends,
citizens in common with ourselves of This
great Republic, and that the object of your
organization is to protect our lives and our
rights AGAINST foreign invasion, if it should
! come, and domestic disturbance, if it should
arise.
In other countries, and under less favored
forms of government, the policy of the site
denies to the people the right which we en-
10Y, without interruption and to its fullest
nt-the right to have and to bear arms
for our common safety. 70 them the pres
ence of an armed force, no matter of whom
composed or by whom commanded, is
matter of serious ap rehension. The mill
tary, separated from the people by a chasm as
wide and as deep as it is possible to conceive,
often owing allegiance to one power while
another has purchased its bloody services,
are the instruments that oppression employs
to subdue every generous aspiration, and to
terrify the popular heart into an unwilling
submission, Without the affection and un-
worthy the support of the people, govern
ment cannot commit its defence to those
whom it's exactions have impoverished or it's
tyranny has enslaved. No such pic ure as
this darkens our vision, or rouses our sensi
bilties. Our institutions are of our own
creation and our government exists only by
the voluntary consent of the people. Our
armies are the free hearts and the strong
arms of our own citizens. No mercenaries
from abroad swell out our garrisons--no
forced CONSUMPTION at home fill up our ranks.
Citizens in peace and soldiers in war, the
dayr Of the M of ifhouf foar and
the duties Of the other discharged without
rcproach With a seacoast extending from
circle to tropic, and a frontier stretching
from ocean to ocean, we have no other apd we
need no other bulwark than that self-sacri-
ficing spirit of our countrymen which the
Muscatine Light Guards illustrates in its
organization and adorns in its composition.
To you, sir, commit this sacred symbol
of your country's honor and national sover-
eighty. Around it are clustered some of the
hottest recollec ions that can animate the
human heart or nerve the patriots arm. Its
colors first unfolded when, an infant colony,
we were struggling against the imperial
power of Britain and her Hessian allies, now
proudly and peaceful ly floats over half a
continent of freemen. Its triumphs have
been recorded on every battle field, from the
Heights of Abraham to the Halls of the
Montezumas, and it's power is acknowledged
wherever the American name Is or has been
known. Like the sacred banner of the east,
wherever seen, it is the hel aid Of victory and
the promise of security. Accept it, sir, and
accept with it the gratifying assurance on
part Of the donor, that he commits it to
hearts that will cherish and to hands that
will protect it,