Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1861-04-27
THE FLAG PRESENTATION To TIE
DELTA RIFLES.

WAS ouCiCltdteu IaISe C'O"u ''oep o"' ~"
and the adjoining parishes assembled at the
Railroad Depot, rendering it one Of the lars-
est gatherings Of the people we ever saw in
little West Baton Rouge. OF course the la
dies were out in numbers. adding greatly to
the festivities by their presence.
Atan early hour ir the morning. the Deltas'
were on the ground, armed and equipped,
each man feeling a host within himself as
he saw the honor done his company, not
alone for the handsome donation of a flag.
but the tarongs that were present to witness
the ceremony of presentation. The full
strength Of the company YVES out, and their
fine uniforms, martial bearing,exce}Ient drill,
made them the subjects Of many handsome,
and perhaps not undeserved compliments
The arrival Of the Ferryboat at the Depot
having on board Capt. Fremaux's company
of Creole Guards from Baton Rouge; aud
Capt. Rauhman's eompanyof National Guards
with bands playing and banners flying was
q handsome spectacle. After receiving those
companies with all military honors, the bat
TALON was taken charge Of by Capt. FIRE.
maux, who at once proceeded to put the COM
panies through the battalion drill, which they
performed most admirably. The exercises
over, the line of march was taken up for the
residence Of J. A. Dougherty, Esq, where
the presentation was to take place. On ar
irving on those beautiful grounds, the CON-
panies went through some manoeuvres. for
the entertainment of the ladies who thronged
the large gallery of the dwelling to over.
flowing. amongst whom we noticed many
beautiful forms from Iberville and East Baton
Ronse, whose presence on So interesting an
occasion, was a compliment highly sppreci-
ated by the Deltas'. The companies were
drawn up in front of the house, so as to form
a square. and from the steps Of the dwelling
Mr.. C. SIDNEY LoBDELL advanced to present
the flag: he having been chosen by the ladies
to present the flag in their behalf. When all
was ready, he thus addressed the Rifles:
GENTLEMEN OF H DELTA r FLEs.-The
ladies of your parish, many Of whom are now
present, apprecisting yolr generous motives
which have induced you to leave the pleas
ant paths of peace. and, for a time at least. to
put on the arnor and o learn the art of war.
DESTROYS that a memento of their kindly feel.
ings may accompany you. should duty call
you to the battlefield. embrace this occasion
The beautiful banner which now waves grace
fully before you. They will no: ask that its
silken folds may wave only DER the good and
trusty soldier, for they know Won all as good
and trusty citizens; they will not ask that it
be bravely borne and made conspicuous. should
the fitting opportunity offer. for they know
your bravery they will not ask that it he en-
clrcled by honor and chivalry. and ever-yuar-
ed from spot or blemish, for they know your
honor, and thus their trust and faith. that be-
meath the Star and Delta. the defenceless viii
everreceive cheerful and honorable protection.
But why this spirit of war. which low per.
vades the Southern heart. and which is man.
Tested in the martial array of her patriotic
sons Why this turning the p'ow-s share into
swords and the prnning-hook into spears -
Permit me to say that war is a necessity Ia
which nations may be unwiIlingIy forced.
either to obtain rights withheld, or 10 oppose
expressions threatened. And men. born in a
land OF freedom and equality and, from child
hood taught to love, cherish. and if necessary
to battle tor their rig t., will never consent
willingly to abandon one Of them add when
force Is threatened as the proper remedy to
OBTAIN them. resistance becomes a duty which
they owe to the preservation of the patriot,c
teachings Of their fathers And it is to causes
OF this kind is due the formation of the South.
ern Confederacy, Of which to-day. our State
Is a member. 1t is, therefore to meet threat
ened INVASION to defend sacred rights. and
10 aHord protection to the domestic -ircle that !
your country has thought it right and proper
to call upon You to be prepared and ready for
action 81 f11@e9ast Of the wal. bugle.-
81 ~ banner would hsvSayoo 10 .your div
willingly, patrioticaIly IA tho,
war with all its horrors NAV cause ~
to flow, and the cheek to pale. still they would
bid yon, do your duty. and meet the homes OIL
your many friends that the Delta Rifles be
a model company in bravery, in honor
and in chivaIry.
The mighty stream which now calmly
before US, buried within her natural
banks, passes on to the sea unfeared and al
most unnoticed. but when a thousand streams
angry food combined, all rushing for
he gulf below, shall! ride upon her breast,
It's then the Mississippi, puts on her majesty,
her grandeur and ner power. 'Tis then her
pent up waters, seeking for some weakened
spot as an outlet to the over-burdened flood.
carries fear and CONSERVATION to every heart.
lis ever so with nations! So long as peace,
prosperity and harmony shall prevail. she
will glide down the stream of Of Time, un-
feared and almost unnoticed. But when Sec
hate shall lead the public mind, seex-
ing some far opportunity to give vent to the
good cause to fear he coming Consequences
crevasse of waters is local in its effect, anI
are ruined; but a creyasse of uDpoveru.
ab'e, sectional, %fanaticaI passions, would EN-
danger the Liberties Of a nation, and has can
sed the dissolution of a Union.
AS IN the temple of Liberty, in which we
ave all worshipped in peace and harmony