Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-05-23
Presentation of a Banner to the Crit
 tenden Rangers.

GREAT DEMONSTRATION AT HoPEFIELD, ARK.
 Miss Molie Meniwcathcr appropriately discharged the duty of making the present ation in the following eloquent speech:
 LIruTENAST KoDGERs: With pride and pleasure present this banner to your gal lant company-the Crittenden Rangers those brave spirits who have so promptly volunteered to aid the South in defending her honor and rights. Our countrymen need no Maid of Orleans to arouse or lead them to battle Thousands of brave and true hearts are resly to face the toe-ready for eict0,y or deoH
 May the zeal and patriotims of Captain Redman and his brave Rangers be emulated bv many others in our State.
 This banner is the assurance that you have our smiles ant best wishes, and should the conflict come, our prayers. On its blue fields are seven glorious States of the southern confederation. Our own State, Arkansas, may not yet claim place among them; but with the bright hope that she will ear long unite her destiny with theirs, have left space and thrust this star to your keeping. Will not each one pledge himself by every cndeaYor to place her among her sister States?
 It has been said of us that Crittenden is the only Union county on the river. Sol diers, shall this be said after the 3i of August? Will brave men quietly submit to black republican rule? Shall our glor- ous South be made second St. Domingo? Forbid it, soldiers! Forbid it, Heaven!
 "Take thy bannar-may it wave
 Proudly OCT the free and brave;
 Guard it-'til our homes are ircc
 Guard it--t;od will prosper thee
 Lieutenant Rogers acknowledged the re- ception in the following terms:
 FAIR LADY: Permit me, in behalf of the Crittenden Rangers, to offer you our heartfelt thanks for this beautiful banner beautiful indeed to us because wrought by the hands of one of Crittenden's tairest daughters; beautiful and sacred, too, be- cause it is the banner of people who know nc superiors and acknowledge no government save that which gives to each and all it's citizens justice and equality, that justice and that equality, which our fathers in days that are passed fought so long and so gallantly to maintain; and as they did maintain them through scenes the most trying that were ever heapead upon an oppressed people so will we, their de- scendants, defend M;s .fog againt all of it's enemies, whether from across the deep, and urged on by the daring ambition of crown ed heads, or hurled upon us by the fan atical spirit of our brethren of the North brethren, indeed, they are in name and blood, but strangers in feeling and enemies at heart. This banner, which your devo- ton to the principles of right, has induced you to tender us, and the unfurling oi whose bright folds and gittcring stars cause so many hearts to leap with emotions of happiness and pride is doubtlessly des- tined to be borne amid scenes of far different character; it is not meet, then, fol us to express in unmeaning words or high flown compliments the chivalrous and dar- ing manner in which we will ever remem- Der her at whose hands we have received it-but 'tis on the battle field that our deer and unyielding devotion to our principles and our flag must be shown. Yes, 'tis there that you must learn how dearly we prize your gift and how true We have beer i to the trust conGded to us.
 Comrades, behold the gift of lovely and patriotic maiden-the star circled ban ner. But seven stars compose the circle and yet there is space for the eighth What one is this that still wanders in th' outer darkness of black republican inlquity It is the representation of Arkansas th"' Una. thus hcsitates to join its glorious sisters Unfortunately it is; so but happy TOT us an' W our people, the dark eloua w't.rh feat nae 'V awav and soon we will see her occupy the vacant M space in the bright circle, shining with n briliancy second to none. TheI let us, conscious of the rectitude o our position, unfurl to the breeze ou glorious banner, and swear to defend it come veal, come woe! Allow me to ssy in conclusion, to her who gave it, long will you live in the hearts of us all; you