The national Republican., 1861-05-24
L OC A L N EW S.

PRESENTATION OF FLAG TO THE SEVENTH
REGIMENT - SPEECHES, ETC. An immense
throng was present yesterday afternoon at
"Camp Cameron to witness the grand dress
parade and review by the President of the
seventh regiment, and the presentation Of q
magnificent flag to the same-a gift from their
lady friends in New York city. About half
past FIVE o'clock, the booming of cannon announ.
ced the approach of the Colonel of the regi
ment, accompanied by Adjutant General
Thomas, y. s. A., each Of whom bore upon his
arm q handsome lady friend. A few minutes
afterwards the President of the United States
arrived in his new and splendid equipage, in
which we're also seated Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs.
Griswell, all looking remarkably well aud
cheerful-Mrs. Lincoln especially SO, after her
brief but pleasant visit to the North.
The troops having been drawn up in line,
they were reviewed by his Excellency, Adju.
the 18th New York regiment, alter which they
marched and countermarched, surprising and
delighting all by the celebrity and precision Of
their movements.
At the close of this exercise, Adjutant Gen.
eral Thomas advanced to the front of the line
with the ensign of the regiment, bearing the
colors to be presented Immediately in his rear,
and then addressed them as follows:
SPEECH OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL.
Soldiers ofthe gallant Seventh: l stand be.
fore you this day as the representative Of a
very large number of the ladies' Of New York,
to present to you this beautiful banner, pro.
with lines of dedication, containing the auto.
graphs of ~ ladies. Why this honor has fallen
on me, when others in higher station, and more
competent to perform the pleasing duty, could
readily have been chosen, know no except
that, having Tor the last four years been sta.
tioued in their city, thus became known to
them, which caused them to consider me almost
New Yorker. This crowning act Of theirs,
however, makes me almost altogether New
Yorker. 1t seems quite superauous to me to
speak Of the 7th, for its fame as an excelsior
regiment is known far and wide. Yet still,
there are some incidents which l cannot over.
look. That revered chieftain, the greatest cap
tain Of the age, near whose person it has been
my happiness to serve repeatedly, said the 7th
IL national regiment. Its organization is
complete, its drill perfect, and its personnel the
Aower Of New York youth. Applause. But
to show its title to being considered national
regiment. When the State of Virginia desired
to receive the remains Of one of her sons-a
departed President-this regiment came for.
ward and escorted the honored remains to the
capital of that State; and when honor was to be
done in the dedication Of the statue Of the
Father of his Country, here in this city, bearing
his name, and which he founded, the 7th was
the regiment sent for to perform that duty
and when the Government Of our beloved
country was in danger of overthrow, and its
capital likely 10 be seized by traitors, the 7th
on the first note Of alarm, sprang to arms aud
hastened to the place of danger, to assist in de
Tending everything most sacred to true, loya
American.
The effect Of this movement no one can esti
mate 80 we'll as those Of us present in our cap
ital. Our General in. chief, with the approva
Of the Administration, had hastily assembled
such a body Of regulars as were then ready
and enrolled several companies Of local militia
inadequate in numbers, but determined to dt
their best. At this time we were surrounded
by euemies-with traitors in our midst. Ant
worse than all, those of my own profession, OF
whom the Government had right to look fol
support-men taken in their youth, educated
fostereA and sustained-in this our time o
need began to falter on every hand, until W
knew not in whom to trust. Our war.chiei
with rousing sublimty in proportion to ou
danger made preparation for defence. Thel
came that great upheaving of the Northwest
which satisfied US that the Government woul
be sustained; and every loyal heart throbbe
with gratitude to the God of battles who ha
provided our deliverance-that Supreme Bein
who ruleth in the heavens aud on the eartl
and doeth all things we'll. Then it was tina
numbers than you ever paraded on any gal
day. And when, after great difficulties an
delays, you reached the capital what a thrill {
delight pervaded our loyal public. In ever
direction you could hear, "the seventh hav
come" The anxious week, and especially th
dark Sabbath, had passed, and we felt secur
This beautiful emblem which will now presel
is the work of many loved ones Of your home
They have devoted the work of their hands t
you, and many prayers for Gods protectln
favor have been breathed over its folds an
may that God give you and them his no
Shirt, for our dear Redeemer's sake. a
especially charged to tell you, that II yo'
country calls you to action. it is their earne
wish that their 1ag should be carried in yo
ranks. For, with these colors in your mid'
thew will feel almost as if they too were deien
ing the sacred cause of liberty and rigt
[APplause. e... :,
North and from the West will soon burst,
and burst it must-over the South, and "
may soon be called upon to unturl this beau
full banner. And if 80, recollect that, thoul
you number twelve hundred and fifty, there
particular stitch dedicated by fair hands
each one of you and ! charge you most s.
emuly never to let that stitch be dishonored
traitorous foe, nor suffer it to be trailed In
dust. will now read the lines of dedicatic
and then place the banner In your hands;
Tho Flag Of our country what deeper assurance
Orsympathy, honor, and trust, could we sendY
The crown OF our fathers unfinching endurance
Il is the emblem Of all you have sworn " defend
ofFreodom and Union, with order entwned-
Tho cause Of the Nation Of God AID manEndl
The flag was then unfured and placed in
hands of Colonel Lefferts, when the band stru
up the Star spangled Banner, and the regime
presented arms.