Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-08-17
Cant. Eo7ner's Reply.

Mr Buogardner, Ladies' and Gentlemen:
It is with feelings of pride and pleasure
that receive, in behalf of the ':.Augusta
Rifles this beautiful and costly Flag of our
country, presented to them by the generous
and patriotic ladies of this community.
Every gallant aud brave heart in yonder
line. in unison with mine, throbs with the
deepest feelings Of gratitude and love to
them for this testimonial Of their high APP
p eciation of the military as one Of the i'm
portant elements ia our nationality.
AS long as its ample folds shall wave
over eur heads, the remembrance of the
bright eyes and smiling faces OF the do
nors will cheer US on in the discharge of
duty. and inspire each heart with courage
end lively sense OF his responsibility.
En- this, as in all the high and enrolling
enterprises Of our country, the ladies have
exhibited the greatest appreciation Of their
mportanee. end have lent their potential
influence to their accomplishment. From
the earliest period Of our country's history
to tie present occasion has their timely aid
been extended When America was one
vast wilderness, in the possession Of the bar
barous indians, they were truly help mates
to Che adventurous pioneers in subduing the
majestic forests and driving out the saya-
ges:
En- the war Of the Revolution, their Ia
oors, their prlvations and their perils, were
fully commensurate with the exigencies Of
the times and the demands Of loftiest patrl-
otism. AT no period since have they been
remiss
When ali The efforts Of our sex had failed
to, redeem tie hcine and grave Of the great
Washington from the wasting hand Of time,
the noble, generous and syrnpathizing la
dies modestly stepped forward aud with their
sihJ hands redeemed from oblivion the rest
ing place Of the greatest patriot known to
our race.
Phey have not been unmindful Of other
great spirits who have passed away. Mon
uments Of enduring granite will testify to
succeeding ages the culture, the lofty SEN
tlment and the graces of the ladies Of the
century.
But their appreciation Of the brave and
patriotic has net exhausted the store OF their
minds, or their capacious hearts. Where
ever our suffering race calls for aid, their
willing feet in hasty steps are quickly Bent.
The causes of humanity and religion are
objects Of their especial care
En- all the relations oflife their refreshing
influence is felt. To-day, their soul-in-
spring presence is seen in the sparkling
eyes of those who are capable of apprecia-
ting the lovely aud the beautiful. Even
the lnccrrigible cd bachelor, wrapped these
many long years in his frigid and gloomy
seems as if aroused by some
great cenvrlsicn Of nature to give signs OF
life and pleasure.
ssOh woman! whose form and whose soul,
Are the spell andsthe light OF each path we pur-
Whether suIn'd' in the tropics, or child at the
Pole,
# woman be there, there is happiness tool
This flag is full Of interest and meaning
to every American citizen. 1t is the in
sigma Of our nationality. 1t is the emblem
Of American. charader. Wherever it is
seen floating upon tie breeze, whether up
IN our own soil, upon the ocean, or the far
IF seas, it proclaims Americans are here"
To tell what American MEANS. would be to-
ur;te . hook There is some thing about it
which can be betterimagined than describ-
ed. 7
This flag is hailed with a. hearty Welcome,
bv the oppressed of every quarter of the
Globe. Even our antipodes from remote
'Iapan have been attracted around the world
to our shores to ses that which it repre-
sents. The. stars ind stripes are now. seen
upon every sea ald in every port. This
Gag performs a. highly important part in the
great drama. of ne known world. The
American trayelef halls it with. pride and,
pleasure, and loves to claim its protection.
His bosom. swells with delight as it leads,
his mind back, t9his native land. where so
much of prosperity, greatness and liberty
are enjoyed. q makes each. proud ship.
ride securely, oier which i waves in tri--.
umph, kissing each swelling breeze, eze-I
panding it's am Ae folds, and challenging the.
respect Of the Rgs OF the world.
In time Of var it has been borne proudly
and triumphanly aioft by the greatest sol