The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-09-18
SWORD PRESENTATION. On Monday

SWORD PRESENTATION - On Monday
morlng quite a collection of citizens assembled
in front Of the Eagle Hotel to witness the pre-.
sentation Of a sword by S. D. Bingham, Esq, on
behalf OF the citizens Of Lansing, to Lieut.. ia
cob Webter, of Col Stockton's Independent Re
giment The weapon was a regulation sword,
with an elegant sash of red silk, and already
seen service a. the battle Of Bull Run. In pre-
senting it, Mr.. Bingham made the following re.
marks:
LIEUT. WrBBER:-A pleasant duty is assigned
me this morning in behalf Of many of your per-
sorlal friends and fellow citizens. You are about
to leave us at the call Of duty for post of honor
aud of danger. On the morrow your Regiment
departs for Washington in defense of the Capt.
tol and the Union, which We all aim to preserve
| and maintain common and priceless bles-
sinc From the commencement of this great
rebellion against constitutional law aud authority,
you have anxiously sought place among the
defenders Of your country. This has been gran.
ted Won, and we know the trust has been com.
mtted to a brave and manly heart. For years
among Us in command of Williams Light Artil-
lery, you have infused military spirit among
our ilizens, and greatly aided in keeping up the
State organization, which has enabled Michigan
in the present contest to take and keep proud
position among her sister States. You, in com
mon with millions of the oppressed OF Europe,
have found home among US with the right Of
citizenship, and found the road to wealth and
honor alike open to all. And now, when with
out cause or provOcatiOn, portion Of the people
of this Confederacy would tear down our Ma
rional ensign, and blot out the noble heritage &c.
cured to US by the Revolution, the adopted cit
zen and the native born stand together, ready
20 die, if need be, in defence Of the inaienable
rights of man. Among these defenders, none
deserve greater praise than the fearless sons OF
your father-land. Under Sigel and Lyon, in
Missouri, with Blenker protecting our army IN
the retreat at Bull Run, and again with Max
Weber, at Hatteras Inlet, the German soldier
has unainching faced the deadly fire of the foe.
Indeed, in this contest, the adopted citizen has
by his conduct conclusively proved his right to
enjoy the liberties be would gladly die Tor.
1 Accept tuis sWOTu duu ooSu, suT k"s Va shVSS
who bid you "God speed" in q holy cause.
Draw it only upon the armed foe in the hour OF
battle-Dever upon the defenceless and unresist
ing. Watch over the soldiers committed to your
charge in the hour of sickness and of danger,
and make their cares your own. When the
trumpet calls to battle-fearlass rush to war,
and if need be at your country's call, die bleed.
irg at every vein for liberty. May this not be
your fate-but when the hour Of peace shall
come, and law and order shall again prevail, may
you return to us-your sword sheathed with
honor-to be received with rejoicing and enjoy
the blessings you now seek to maintain.
Lieut.. Webber responded briefly as follows:
Mr. FRrENps:-I accept this beautiful sword,
your gift. and fail in words to thank you. You
shall receive those thanks upon the battle field
| There shall seek to sustain the cause of my
country, and be assured, shall care for m.
men, wherever We may be. At the end Of three
years, or when this war shall be over, hope to
return to you, bringing back with me this you'
gilt, without dishonor. am more used to &C.
ton than speech, and cannot express in words
Il the feelings Of INV heart.