Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-08-17
Flag Presentations.

Elag Presentation.
The following are the addresses delivered
on the occasion Of the presentation of flag
to the Augusta Rihes, by the Ladies Of the
vicinity Of Browns Spring, on the 4;h inst.
Lieut.. BumgardEseT's Address.
TO Capt. Koiiner and Gentlemen of tie Au-
gusta Rifles:
On behalf of the ladies Of this vicinity. it
is my pleasing task to offer for your accep-
lance this beautiful banner.
In the days Of chivalry, when war was
the common business of life, and deeds of
daring and valor constituted the only claim
to distinction, ladies would sometimes pre-
sent, as mark of special condescension-
a gracious token of particular distinction
their coloys to the Knight who was SO for
tunate as to commend himself to their APP
probation thus delicately expressing the
donors approval of the knightly character
and qualities Of the recipient; her conf
dence that henceforth her name and fair
fame might be associated with the reputa-
ton of her chosen knight, without danger Of
tarnish or disgrace her encouragement to
pursue to glorious end his knightly career,
and her assurance that her favorlng wishes
and kindly interest would attend him thro,
all the changes and chances ct his for
tune.
En- those days O. sentimental eztraVagance,
this little token was received as deyotee
receives manifestation from the God OF
his ship-wa was cherished as a reciuse
cherishes a relic of his patron saint
In this We doubtless find the origin of this
ceremony of to day. This custom, with its
associations, surviving the ruin of the in
stitutions that produced it, has come down
to us, gracefully moulded and adapted to
the civilizations Of the nineteenth century
and the institutions Of our favored country
yet maintaining. amid the changes of centu-
ries, the Significance and the suggestive
beauty of its feudah oNigin.
En- our age and country our fair ores are
not compelled to rely for protection upon
the courage of a single heart-upon the
strength of a single arm. Our country
does not look for it's military resources to
hireling bands of mercenary troops, but
Volunteer Organizations Of Citizen Soldiers,
maintaining their civil capacity as individ
ais, performing their civil duties, and pro-
noting, by their industry, the material IN
terests of the country ; ana at the same time
actively engaged in acquiring military
knowledge, in perfecting themselves in dis
cipline. and in preparing to render prompt
and efficient service in time of need, relieve
the government Of the danger aud expense
of maintaining large bodies of professional
forces so that one note of war, one tocsin
alarm of dsager, would cali from each hill
and valley bands Of warriors -armed with
the weapons OF warfare, armed in discipline,
armed in courage, armed in resolution to 40
and dare in their country's behat-as' in
simultaneously as the plumed and tartaned
hosts Of highland clansmen sprung fremsthe
blue heather of the mountain side, when
summoned by the signal sail Of Rhoderick
Dhus,
One might traverse the broad extent of
our country, and no frowning battlements.
no extensive barracks meet his gaze. no
morning drum beat startle his early slum-
Der he would encounter none of those sights
and sounds that in Europe constantly re-
mind one of the presence Of laage standing
armies; but would fud instead busy thtong
of peaceful men, mingling with the body Of
the community at large, and pursuing the
daily avccations OF life but whom one hos
tile blow aimed at their country Interests,
or their country's honor. would transform
into an armed and hammered host, in whom
the proudest veterans that ever took the
'steuted field" would find .'foemen worthy
Of their stefan army, not of mere ma
chimes, but Of chivalrous patriots, which the.
most practiced General might glory to lead
or trelnble to encounter.
In this spirit Of patriotism, Gentlensens Of
the Augusta Rifes-in this determination
to serve your country ira double capacity
as its support in peace, its protection and
defence in war-you have associated your
selves together as military company
In the same spirit, the ladies Of your VIZ
oinity, my fair constituents, have this day
given to the objects of your association the
sanction of their hearty concurrence shave
publicly avowed their intention Of lending:
ia your behalf the prestige of their patron
age and the power Of their influence. APP
the motives that Influence you,
and recognizing the vast importance to the
best interests of the country, Of our volun;
tecr system-au. Importance Increased al
most to necessity, in these days Of fanati-
cism, when all the sacred obligations Of the
Constitution, when all the conservative in
auence of good men nsask fail to, restrain
the threatening spirit. Of aggression that
would violate our vested rights, assail the
integrity Of our guaranteed institutions;
when from aught that can be inferred from
the lessons Of the past, or the indications Of
the present, Virginia may again have to re-
pei another armed invasion, and bring to-
condign punishment it's guilty perpetrators;
her sons called toariye desecration. from her
soil, dange = from. her hearth stones, and,
if that dark hour should, e7cr come, when
the voice of wisdoa. shall be. qpenched in
the howls Of madness, and the last opposing
barriers of reason and jastice crumble be-
fore the advancing storm Of sectional fury
that then, the proud cid Commonwealth
of Virginia may point to firm rampart OF
bristling bayonets III the hands Of her pa