Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-16

SfIRITIp MxKrINs OF THE JACKSON GuARps -
Last evening the Jackson Guards held an enthu.
usstic meeting at their armory on Third street. ut
which Union speeches were made by Brig. Gen.
Hickey and the officers of the company Captain
McDermott having expressed his pleasure at their
proficiency In their drill and the hesrty response
Of members when called upon to turn out, intro
duced Gen. Hickey, who addressed the company
In neat little speech He was glad to have the
opportunity of saluting them, and congratulated
them upon their good fortune In bearing the name
Of jackson Guards. He would repeat the sxp,es-
sion Of subtraction with their drill and felt sure
that with due attention they would soon rival any
company In the city. 1t also afforded him great
pleasure 10 see their mum bers increase rapidly
and he hoped they would soon be able to form
battalion He had seen with surprise and regret,
In the daily papers, statements that the Germans
Were all turning out in defense Of the Govern
ment, but that the Irish were very backward. He
felt confident that this did not arise from want
OF patriotism on the part of the Irish, but from the
want OF an opportunity. There had not yet been
any occasion for them to offer their protection to
the country. (Voice-"Don't know which bor-
gentleman made that remark, as 1t would give
him an opportunity to set them right upon THAT
point IL was their duty to stand by that Govern
Inent which they had sworn to protect That
constitution created by their fathers, the Govern
ment Of the "Stars and Stripes" (Applasse.l
That Government, and that alone, they were
bound TO protect. (Cheers He sympatb,zed
with his friends in The South They had Seen
understood the question now agitating the coun-
Try: Ii first grew out of the slavery question and
had been increasing in magnitude ever since.
ne republicans in the last Congress had removed
all cause Of complaint, and the South haS no
reason for their present course. He was a native
OF Maryland, and a descendant of the Srish
lCheeB.l He was a Shareholder, but should: sup
port no party nor faction. He should protee: the
Government Of the United States, and that a3one
he should not support either the North, SSuth,
East or West, neither democrats nor republ < ans
but should stand by the Government They Aould
not fully appreciate the value of the Cover Esnent
under which they lived, and when called In to
protect IL there should not be dissenting spice
lCheets They need have no fear of msr.de
standing their duty. The question was be s.yeen
party and the Government. They were - the
side OF the latter. (Cheers He then expS med
the nature Of the oath taken by all who ent,. the
service Of the United States, and closed wifi de-
claring that whatever the Government comm aided
they would perform
General Hickey was then followed by captain
McDefmott, Lieut. McDuffey and Lieut. Tucker,
In brief but stirring Union speeches which our
limited space will not admit Of publishing and
alter three cheers for Gen. Hickey, the Company
proceeded to their usual drill exercise When
our reporter left, all hands were running over
with Union sentiments and ready to fight for the
Government.