The national Republican., 1861-09-23
The Flag Presentation.

Notwithstanding the threatening aspect Of
The weather, a goodly number of ladies and
gentlemen, (mostly residents of the hfth ward,)
assembled in the east~park Of the Capitol on
Saturday afternoon, to witness the presentation
Of the flag to the first District regiment, Col.
James a. TAFT, announced to take place.
The flag was gift from the ladies of tho
NTH ward, and was gotten up in tho most finish.
10 of tue regular army size, finely mounted,
and bears the inscription in gilt letters, " First
Regiment District Of Columbia Volunteers"
His Honor, Mayor Wallach. made the pre-.
Col. TAFT and officers of the first District regi-
mont, in behalf of the ladies Of the ffth ward,
many of whom I am happy to see here, not,
wtbstanding the rain, to adorn this occasion, !
stand @ of Of oolors. ] " Il is no ordinary compliment
to you, coming as II does from those among
whom you have lived and who know you, and
it is peculiarly gratifying to me, from my long
intimacy with you all, to be the medium of the
gift. You are about going to perform duty
that is common to US all, but one which belongs
more properly TO tho mon of this District
than those Of any other part Of tho country.
This Is the seat Of tho National Government; its
public buildings have been placed here in our
care. That grand old edi6ce opposite (the
Capitol) is in our keeping, and We must pro.
teOt it. When first called upon to do so, you
responded nobly, and now you are again ready
with brave hearts to meet your brethren from
in driving back the rebols who have takon up
arms against II. am satisfied that il oppOr.
tunity offers to show your gallantry, your
yalor will be rs great rs know your loyalty to
Colonel TAFT, taking the flag said /: Mr.. Mayor
and ladies, rs officers Of the District of Colum.
bia, we thank you, and through you, our lady
frionds, for this beautiful and appropriate
compliment II is usual, on occasions Ike the
present, to make promises that are never ful.
filled. We will not say that we will carry this
flag into the thckest of the fight and that
whore it waves wo will follow, but wo will
promise to remember that this emblem of our
country was presented TO us within the shadow
of the nations Capitol, and that it was the gift
Of woman. With this remembrance we canno,
prove unfaithful to it. Even here where we
stand the echo Of the voices of our great men
has been heard here tho feet of the immortal
Washington may have trod the sod; here In
days gone by the shout of joy has asconded tc
Heaven on Independence day from a united
and happy people: but now, alas, times have
changed! Our glorious old banner has beer
torn down and trampled under foot by our owl
brethren, but the morning sun of the country
resurrection from evil Is already visible, ant
the star.spangled banner will again soon wave
over united and happy nation. Let Others
Under this glorious old banner we have livet
and prosperod, and If ii is Gods will we will di'
in its defence.
Again, ladies, thank you for presenting III
this beautiful gilt, and will promise you that /
shall never be disgraced in the hands Of th'
District volunteers. [Applause.l
Mayor Wallach. We all believe 80.
Colonel TAFT apologized for the absence ofhi
regiment and many of his officers, saying tha
they were oncamped some distance out of tn
city, and permit to bring them in could no
be obtained without great difficulty. Ho had
however, a fair representation of his young an
handsome officers around him. He knew tina
thoy would find a fitting opportunity TO than
the ladies in much more eloquent terms tina
he had used, tThe ladies hero looked pleased
and the anlsone young officers were notice
TO blush.l
In conclusion Colonel TAFT proposed tire
cheers for tho ladies Of the nth ward, whic
were given with will and the tiger accompa
niment, and the company then rapidly disperse
to find shelter from the rain.