Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-06-12
Presentation Of Colors TO tho Howard
Guard.

rUUrO.
The presentation of Colors to the Howard
Guard of Burlington, by our townsman ID.
ID. HOWARD Esq, came off Tuesday, |
and was a very pleasant and satisfactory af-
fair. The Guard left their Armory at hall
past two clock and, headed by the Cornet
Band. marched to Mr.. Towards fine resi-
dence on College street, where they formed
within the grounds in front of the Southern
entrance. large number of our citizens,
both ladies and gentlemen, attracted by the
the novelty and interest of the occasion, were
present. Mr.. Howard appeared at the
proper time, and presenting the colors,
| spoke as follows
CART. CHUrcn,
SIR When your company was first organ
| lied it was made known to me, by committee Of
| your corps, that it intended to give them the
name of the " Howard Gnards." On returning to
| the residence of my youth and early manhood
| such a circumstance was most gratifying but
| felt that could not appropriate so great com
| pliment AMI at respectfully and gratefully
| declined it.
| But the case was altered when the name Of my
| venerable Father, now more, was mentioned in
| connection with this mark Of honorable remem-
| brance for he was (excuse my saying) one of tho
patriarchs Of Burlington, and passed the greatest
part of long life in this village ready az all times
to maintain order, to prevent and redress whatev-
| er disturbed it, aud incur any trouble or sacrifice
required to secure tho peace and appiness OF his
neighbors and society. A recognition of this fact
| 49,, bod IN
ceived by his family.
l present this flag and banners as testimonies of
our grateful feeling and allow me to add that as
a good citizen, have a deep sense OF tho worth
value and necessity of military organizations like
this. Against foreign and domestic enemies
they are alike required. If a time of confusion
should come, if the law should lose Its power, and
society need protection, where could it be obtain
ed but from the young, the strong, and the brave,
| with arms in their hands, and knowing how to use
them-from our sons and brothers interested to
sustain the right, and to put down wrong and vio-
lence
This flag, with its stripes and stars, indicates
historically, the spirit, the duties and results
which should animate a citizen soldiery. 1t pro-
claims prevention and protection and l deliver
it to you in behalf Of my aged mother
(now by my sde) and her family, with the heart
lest good wishes for the prosperity of your compa-
ny and the individual welfare of all its members
The colors on presentation were saluted
by the Guards by presenting arms, and with
appropriate HourIshes by the Band, af-
after which Capt. Church replied as fol-
lows
KIND SIR ALLOW US to thank you for this
beautiful and valuable present. Beautiful be-
cause it bears the Stars and Stripes and is an en-
blem Of our Nationality beautiful in Materia
and Workmanship. Valuable because it is pre-
sented by our kind Townsman, who has, afte
many years absence and after acquiring an ample
fortune, returned to his native village to real
mansions to beautify place, and to live among
us-and has presented this beautiful Flag as the
representative and son of our lamented friend
Uncle JoHs HOWARD. whose name we bear
.Valua Bile because it is our National Colours
which have led our Fathers to deeds of valour
and honor, and which now wave in every Cline
anu v,e,y r~-a With honor to our Flag and oul
Nation and Sir, History tells us that TINS, ou'
Flag, his always been respected-and why Be-
cause every Nation understand we have . will anC
nerve to protect its honor.
> Kind Sir, we receive the Stand of Colours and
these Guides with great pleasure, and Sir, ALLOW
| me in behalf OF the Howard Guards to pledge tC
you, to the Ladies and to the Gentlemen nov
present, a Soldiers word that our last energies
shall be spent in protecting our Flag, our Lade;
: and our National Honor and Sir will
preserve this as memento from kind friend
who has passed from the busy of this life
and is now at rest and, Sir when called
upon to follow him, may our memery live in the
hearts of the people like his memory. never
, never to be forgotten.
Kind Sir, again we thank you.
The Guards then formed and marched to
their parade ground with flying colors.
The colors thus presented consist of Q
) beautiful United States flag, of rich silk
l with heavy fringe, gold stars and tassels
and two smaller banners, of heavy bloc
silk, bearing the letters Ii. G. encircled b,
a wreath of oak leaves, in gold.