Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-05-25

nation"
Afer the applause iollOFibe these remarks
had subsidized, repeated calls were made for
the Hon. Montgomery Blair, the Postmaster
General, In response 10 which that gentle
man came forward, and spoke as follows
FELLOW CI7lzESs-0n behalf Of the Of
fieers Of the Post Once Department thank
yau for your presence here on this occasion,
70 cheer them in their eHeris 10 reAwakep the
heart Of this nation to that proud old banner
which you all hailed With 50 much enthusi-
asm on this occasion As the President has
said. It seemed for moment as # The atiec-
tons Of the people were gone from that flag
in one section Of this country. But my
f,iends that Is great error. The old flag is
yet dear to the nation in all parts Of the
coutry, and the people ara coming forth every
where to uphold and maintain Il. Z is not
ny friends, beosuse Of the beauty oii.s color /;
Il is not because Il has the stars and stripes
upon il. Ia it because Il has associated with
Il all that is dear TO American frsenen-the
emblem Of that freedom, the emblem of that
glory, the emblen Of that popular ,geyeFn-
ment which is sunk so deep in The hearts Of
! this nation. Isit for that, and that only,
that the people Of this country are rising,
rot as a party, for We have ceased to be par
ties. We are no longer Democrats, We are
no longer Wings, we are no longer Repuhli
! cans-we are Americans-standing upfor free
I institutions. And We intend 70 exhibit to the
world that In the presence Of the great prin-
chile Of maintaining freq institutions, We ara
as one people, devoted unto the end, be that
/ end far or near. Do not mistake my swn
people OF the South. am Southern man,
and the people, speaking through my voies,
beg you TO come and preserve them from
military despotism-a despolism installed BY
eonspiratoTs sgainst freedom. Yes, ny
friends, do not be deceived IN aupposing thal
nv people have lost that sentiment for which
their fathers and our fathers struggled
in the infancy Of this goYernment They
are true and loyal TO L but the eOnspir-
ators have secured little power, and bayo-
nets are ready to be pierced into the bosomE
j Of ali those who would rise and honor, as
you do, that glorious flag. They beckon you
70 come and iisarm these conspirators, anC
they will rec no the voices thGt ycu hEv'
uttered here to-day a. beholding the unfold
ing of those Stars and Stripes. Again
thanking you, my friends for your presene'
here on this occasion TO aid rs 10 doing homo
!
70 the glorious ensign, will take my ieaY'
Of you. rGFest applouse
Secretary Seward responded TO the lmpa
tent and of repeated calls for him, saying
ssFELLoW CITiEESs:-Y You here have know
we'll the statesmen and orators Of some Of thi
Southern States. We have known thei
courage. and the courage, the spirit and tn
resolution Of the people Of al the SO1therl
States. But knowing all these, We know
two things which even they cannot dom
Is 70 destroy Hal Columbia, and the othe
is to destroy the Star Spsngled Banner
They will fail to do It only beesuss humal
nature needs that the One shall continue .
be 80, and that the other shall Goat over ID
sea snd the land; and what human natur
needs, God Almighty, the fatber Of hume
usture, decrees lGreat cheering, aud musi
from the band1"
i Hon. Caleb B. Smith, Secretary Of the Il
terror, spoke ss follows;
HFxtIoW CIrIzESs SIT Is scarcely With
the power Of any human voice to reach 9
vast q multitude, and despair Of bslng abl
20 make my goice heard BY this imnens
concOurss. know, however, that you
hearts ers warmed b the same feelings {
patriotism which have prompted those wh
exhibit to you to-day this glorious banner /
our country. No sight has ever been pr
sented TO an American eye, whether upon q
shore Of his oNn country, upon distant sol
or uDon. the vide extended ocean, which
more calculated 70 warn his heart, excite b
patriosisIn, and kindle anew within hin q
1 flames Of the love Of country, than the sigl
) Of thas glorious banner, the emblem Of frei
: dom and civil liberty. But my friends,
|. there has been day whsn the sight Of H.
K Tag should excite airesh our psTiotism a1
: ioEs Of country, that e row. Treason b
reared ils hydra bead and threaisns nov
crdmble into ruins the glorious fahTio Of oE
Union, cemenfed hy The blood Of our father
and 10 trail u tha- dust that glorious nation
aag which 3 looked 10 ns ths iasi hope Of d
: oppressed throughout every postion Of Il
world. Upon you, ny friends, who live
9 ibis aee, has dsTolved 3 higher duty thi
ever before rested upoa The American peopl
} for vheu George Washington lsd our fathe
!. through the hery 1ibulations of tbs Rsvol
], tionsTy War, Ihe duties and reapousibiliti
: mon thoas nlugtrious patriots were small
; comparison with the immense 7espaasibili
Q resting upon yea their descendants. Itw
: their duty, end nobly Old they achieve II,
z plant desp and broad the fouDdatens Of o
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