Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-22
The Flag Presentation.
TroA the / louisville Couyier, rec. 50.

We have pleasure n referring TO one Of those
agreeable incidents which relieve the toll Of war.
On such occasions the weary soldier forgets his Ia
Dor, his heart Is touched by q strain wandering
from his far-Cf home, and his arm is WY
strengthened for the strife. II
To men engaged in defence of their homes, it
would be difficult TO render compliment more del
icStely conceived, more potent ia Its NORA iIu-
ence, than for the women Of their hearts to pres.
ent them with banner around which, in III. thick
est of the battle, will cHster the fondest memories
OF lher fresldes Ii 'nerves the arm it steels the
sword"
The occasion to which we refer was the presen-
taticn Of Gag TO the Fifth Tennessee Regiment.
Col BeEjsmin Hill commanding. 1t took place
last Monday rear the town, at the review grounds
of Col. ClsbGFnes Brigade. Towards IL o'clock six
or seven thousand had tssembled-"fsir women
and brave men" On the platform were Msi Gen.
Johnston, Msj. Gen. HsrGee, Brig. Gen. Buckner,
Col Hodge, Col Ben. Hardin Helm, Major Cosby,
Hon. VIM Preston, with the staff officers of the
Generals, and others distinguished in arms and in
craftsmanship. Between the addresses the vast as
sembly was enlivened by excellent music from the
various regimeDtal BANDS. -.
At IL o'clock Miss Ayrs Smart of McAinn7ille,
Tennessee, presented the banner. There are coca
sions when silence is most eloquent" and we will
not mar the impression Of her noble stirring words
upon the hearts OF her mountain patriots
MES NYEA sTAETs ArDREss.
Officers e7d Soldiers et ns Fifth Regiment Tennes
see Volunteers There eccssiOns when silence is
the most elC suent; when language is too feeble to
express the oeep feelings of the soul. And did
consult the OverpoweTing emotions CT my own
heart | would simply unfold this bHautiful-aud |
trust TO be proudly trump aSnt-banner to Heav-
ems free air, aad hand it u your standard bearer
with thicky falling tears GEd silent prayers to Him
who ats high and lifted up upon Heavens bur,
nished throne for the protection of Its recipients
and the success of their holy cause. But the do
nors-the ladies CT Acknowledgement of me I
the expression of their devotion to our common !
country, and to you, its brave defenders.
We love our beautiful, rich, happy and native |
South none the less because we tmid women, |
shrinking from every danger and trembling at ev-
cry alarm. And although We admire not the Ana
zonian character, we coEld wish for this struggle
At least the God above 70 given hearts of steel
and giant arms to fight side by side with those we
love so dearly the bGttles Of Freedom and lndepen
dence. But Heaven wIlled L not thus; our physical
strength, education and duties preclude US from
the bloody strife and dreadful carnage Yet when
the Iesden rain and iron bail are over, when Mars
il sRtated with slaughter, it is sacred mission
to nurse and cheer the wounded and embalm the
fallen With our tears. Think not the "loved ones
at home are forgetful of your privations, I'M
mindful of your absence. Often we sigh for your
return and weep at the anticipation of danger to
our household idols But we would not recall you
from the post Of duty and honor-"not that we
love Caesar less, but Rome more" We feel that |
you cOnteDding for all that you hold most dear
your honor, your liberty, independence and even
IlS eaQCblIJ Oh your uoHcs. Anu IN THIS molly
cause for resistance to tyrsnts is obedienca TO
GOd-the fond mother is willing to offer her fair
haired boy the GffectiOnate wife Eer husband the
true sister her brother willing sacrifice, if ueed
be, upon the altar of patriotism.
For q series of years our equality 10 the FedeTsl
Union was menRced, our sectional interest saCri~
feed, our rights trampled upon and oar people
abused From g little cloud no larger than &
prophets hand the black cloud Of Northern aboli>
tionsm has increased until the whole Northern no.
6,s al witt ifs eabia fCl3s
years the South demonstrated against these Contn-
ued aggressions and appealed to their Northern
brethren to forbear. But our circumstances were
spuFned snd cur appeals disregarded, TFeyl
Wronged us grossly then tainted US with coward
ice for submitting to insult and injury for great
had our forbesrance been that they concluded We
would sus mlE to any outrage. These lDJuTiesicut
minated in the election of a sectional n esident,
with a sectional declaration of principles embOdy
ing open and direct wsr against the South and its
Institutions in 1861 The South seeing it i'm,
ssible to live upon terms Of equality with them
longer as sovereign States, proposed 70 resume
inherent RICH. OF altering, amending or an
~ their form Of government, proceeded to l.
aH from the old government, and they
Mr.. Lincoln Abraham said to Lot
there be no strife, | pray thee, be-
&c and me and between thy herdsmen and
men. for we be brethren" But they
permitted to depart in peace the despOt
lthlees ard relentless war against them
been hewers OF wood and drawers of
long to the North-we were too profit
therefore, whon the Ststes resumed
. we'd right, they we're pronounced inner
great consolidated government, and
spurnIng the articles Of the Constitu
\ sworn to support, proclaimed war
eceded States calls GU, men and ap.
ney for tleic support; Northern
but 10 record his edicts. Personal |
81. constitutional guarantees are dis
fsnting citizsns are setzei at the |
IT. dragged from their homes by !
$40 prison cells. Women are in
and driven from their burning |
.e property is wrested from the |
Try usage Of civilized war is ig- |
al administration And what is !
5chcy? Cur complete suhJuga- !
! race and if necessary TO this |
only steal but arm the black race
rmination
ee. COW of the Southern heart. Threats
~ ste dangers cannot sppsll, death
it. In every battle they have been net
lyTouted by The disposed SouthrOns,
.eatly interior numbers And in every
be fought we will, armed, armed by
of our cause, and fred by patriotism,