Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-24
FLAG RAISING IN WASHINGTON.

FLAG RAISING IN WASHINGTON.
On Wednesday, at noon, an enthusiastic
multitude witnessed the spectacle of hosting
the stars and stripes over the general post
Office building. The president and his cabinet
took conspicuous part in the patriotic cere-
monies, and were assisted by many other gem
tlemen of civic and military distinction. The
ropes attached TO the staff were placed in the
hands OF the president amid deaiening entiu-
siasm. As the flag rose to the top, it remained
for moment or two motionless, when sudden
ly, gentle wind rising from the NORTH its am
Pile folds gracefully opened TO the breeze, eX.
tending in the direction of the south, as il
offering to ensure, there as everywhere, It's
protection to all true and loyal defenders OF
the government This happy incident elected
from the president the following appropriate
speech -
Ladies and Gentlemen IL had not thought TO
say word, but it has occurred to me that
few weeks ago the STARS and Stripes" hung
rather langudy about the staff all over the
nation. So too, with this flag, when it was
elevated to its place. AT first it hung rather
it now floats as it should (Cries OF Good,
and applause.) So we hope that the same
breeze will swell the glorious flag throughout
the whole nation.
Hon. Montgomery Blair, postmaster gener-
al, then came forward, and spoke in behalf of
the officers Of that department. He said =
"Fellow citizens, on behalf of the officers of
the post office department, | thank you for
your presence to cheer them in their efforts To
re-awaken the heart of this nation to that
proud old inner which you all hailed with 50
much enthusiasm on this occasion. As the
president has said, it seemed for II moment us
ii the affections OF the people were gone from
that Fl in one portion ot this country But,
my friends this is great error. The old flag
is yet dear TO the nation in all parts OF the
country, and the people are coming forth ev-
erywhere to uphold and maintain it. loud
applause) 1t is not, my friends, because Of
the beauty OF the colors it Is not because it
has the stars and stripes upon it. 1t is because
it has associated with ii all that is dear 10
American freemen- the emblem Ut that free
dom, the emblem OF that glory, the emblem OF
that popular government, which Is sunk SO
deep in tue hearts OF this nation. (Cries OF
good, " and applause,) Ii is for that, and that
only, that the people OF this country are rising,
not as a party, for we have ceased to be par
ties tCries OF "bravo," and enthusiastic APP
plause.)
We are no longer democrats, we are no
longer wings, we are no longer republicans
we are Americans---( yocferous cheerng)~-
standing up for free institutions. Renewed
applause.) Aud we intend to exhibit to the
world that in the presence of the great princi'
pie OF maintaining free Institutions, we are as
one people, devoted unto the end be that end
Tar Or near (Cries OF Good" and applause
Do not mistab W
lily, SG'ou come anu pre-
AvBEN sPENo from IL military deSpoiSnl-
(Cres of 1--WE will do it," and app ause) Ia
despotism installed by conspirators against
freedom. tCries Of "We'll hang every OF
them '' and loud applause. Yes, my friends,
do not be deceived in supposing that my peo-
pie have lost that ntiment tor which their
fathers and our fathers struggled III the intan
cy OF this government. They are true and
loyal to it; but the conspiratOrs nave secured
a little power and bayOnetS are ready to he
pierced into the bosoms of all tho:e who would
rise and honor, as you do, that glorious flag.
They beckOn you TO come and dlsarm those
conspirators, and they will re-echo the voices
that you have uttered here today at behold
ing the unfolding of those stars and stripes.
(Applause.)
Hon. William II. Seward responded to i'm
patient and oft-repealed calls, and said
FELLOW CITIZENS You here have known
well the statesmen and orators OF some OF the
So thern States. We have known their
courage, and the courage, the spirit and the
resolution of the people Of all the Southern
States But knowing all these, we know two
things which even they cannot d0-One is to
destroy Hail Columbia" and tic other is to
destroy the Star Spanged Banner. (Repeat-
ed cheers, intermingled with EXPLANATIONS of
mo !" "Never!'l They vii tail TO do it
only because human nature needs that the one
shall continue TO be so, and that the other shall
float over the sea and the land and what hui
man nature needs. God Almighty, the father
Of human nature, DEGREES. (Great cheering,
and music from the band,
Hon. Caleb b. Smith, secretary of The inte-
rior, made an eloquent speech, and the band
played the "Star SpaDgled Banner" the
voices of the multitude joining in the words
of the song.