East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-07-12
Prcscnsation OF Trumpcts to Ex-
cclsior Engine Co., No. 2, Of this
City.

1t having been ascertained that the
trumpets formerly used by Excelsior Fire
Co, No. ?, were either broken, destroyed,
or so much damaged as to be utterly USE
less, it became necessary in view of the
arrangements for the celebration OH 'the
fourth" to have four new ones, and as
the time was too short to procure either
silver or gold horns, Mr.. BucKnour, Of
this city, contracted to get them up Of
tin--"old style, brass mounted, &C." and
contrary to expectation made them a
present to the company. AT meeting
held at the Engine House Monday even
ing, July ., ID. a. RoDINsoy, Jr., on be-
half of Mr.. BucKnoUT, made the present.
alton, accompanying the same with the
remarks which follow:
Mr.. Foreman and Gentlemen Of Erceisior Engine Co..
No g
The history of this Company from its
birth up to very recent period has been
a series of nishaps and revcrScs, disconr-
aging To its members and rendering its
organization incomplete and inefficient
At times this unfortunate state of affairs
resulted from inattention and iucilicicncy
on the part of its former oilicers--at
other times from enclosures on the part
of its members, but principally from the
deplorable state of the engine, which un
I'll very recently has never been in condi-
ton To do justice to herself or render
valuable assistance to our citizens. But
a happy change has been effected in our
affairs. Our Engine is in prime order,
ably manned, aud orr company well 9TH
cercd At the late destructive fires that
have visited Us we have rendered much
valuable service; every member has
promptly and cheerfully responded to he
calls of duty; and our efforts To render
this company OF value to our citizens in
saving their lives aud property from de-
structlon by that terrible element, when
uncontrolled, which we are expressly
commissioned to combat with, are begin
nIng to be appreciated hcre--and not
only appreciated, but rewar,led-lor, Mr..
Foreman, | come here at this time to
perform the agreeable and pleasant duty
of presenting to Excelsior Engine Co,
No. =, of East Saginaw" for the use of
it's officers, the four elegant Trumpets
which are arranged upon the table before
you. This generous, timely, aud wei
come gilt Is the iree-will Offering of one
Of our own fellow-citizcnS, and what is
still more gratifying to us, highly es-
tcemed member of our own Company,
Mr. Byron b. Bucllhout, who by thus
recognizing our usefulness and rcwardng
our efforts has refutcd that time-honored
provcrb, that "a prophet is not without
honor save in his own country aad among
his own kindred"
These TrumpetS, gentlemen, are not
Si}cer, but they look like silver, and if we
are possessed of fertile inaginations it
will not require great stretch of ere
lulity (n view of the tremendous pres
surc in the money markct) to convince
ourselves that they are silver-that is, if
any among us are weak enough to wish
that they were silver. But ! repeat the
fact, gentlemen, that they are not silver /;
they are combination of metals with
which we, one and all, are much more ia
miliar than with silver. They were
made for use rather than ornament, and
they answer admirably the end for which
they were created; aud | am certain
that the commands of our officers given
through these tin trumpets hooped with
brass, will be as promptly and implicitly
obcyed as ii given through a trumpet
made of solid silver, mounted with gold,
aud studded with precious gems They
come to us from much respected mem.
Der of our own company, the product OF
his own mandatory, and they ought To
be, aud i believe they are, more accept
able to us than if they were OF more
costly composition and came from for
cign source; for | repeat, gentlemen, this
beautiful testimonial to our worth a. fire.
men is gratifying evidence that we arc
appreciated at home.
On behalf of the Company, G.. f.
LEWIS responded as follows
4nr. Foreman and GeatlemsR
"When gratitude oerfows the swelling heart,
And breathes in free and uncorruptel praise
For benefits received; propitous heaven
Takes such acknowledgement MS fragrant incense
And doubles all its blessings
So with temporal gifts; when CRATE
fully received, the blessing is more than
doubled; an the intrinsic value, whethe'
great or email, is lost sight of in the ricl
aud gorgeous emotions which fill I'll,
heart Of the recipient We read of til,
Language Of flowers" the Language OF
the stars" and the language of natur,
we hear daily IN the songs Of birds, tn,
murmur of brooks, the voice of animate,
creation in its thousand tones, and the deer
and awful thunder, but no language la,
power to express truly the wondrous feel
ings of gratitude which fill the heart o
true fireman when he is presented, a.
we have been to night, with "a horn."-
Already the various emotions of graft
tude, pride, exultation aud admiration