Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-02
Presentation of q Floral Wreath to Col.
Baldwin, Of Augusta.

Baldwin, of Augusta.
After the adjournment OF the State Convention
| on Saturday, when Col. Baldwin finished his
mastery speech, which occupied three days in
its delivery, there occurred an interesting Incl
dent that recalled the bestowal of rewards for
the trumphs of eloquence in ancient Rome.
The audience having been previously requested
to remain and witness the ceremony, Mr.. John
Crtcher, of Westmoreland. arose, and addressing
Ool Baldwin, said be had been deputed by the
ladies of Richmond, to offer him, in their name,
some evidence of their appreciation of the ability
and eloquence which he had just displayed in
behalf of the Union, and the peace and harmony
Of our whole country They offered him their
cordial congratulation. He (Ool. Baldwin) had
i been the first member of the Convention who
had touched the pure fountain of the female
| heart, and he had been the first to be rewarded
with their smiles His argument was supported
| By womans inherent instinct The presence of
| the ladies had beneficial influence upon the
deliberations of the Convention. 1t was true
they did not mingle 10 the fierce conflicts of par
ty strife, but their silent influence upon ifes ag
itatiDg scenes, had been aptly likened by an
i English bard to moon-beams on troubled sea,
gliding the storm they could not still. Accom-
i panyng the wreath were some lines penned by
one of the ladies, which Mr.. Oritcher read as
follows:
u In times of od-in good old times,
j In Scripture and in story
The mightiest theme for bard to sing
i Has been nations gtory
4 And still it is the theme to day,
i With each true son and daughter
The latter deeming Union right;
/ Mans duty-to support her!
/ So in this hour which sstries mans SOUL"
+ The word won't be to seser;
4 But by the Constitution bound
4 TO cling again t0Qether.
A pulse of love that ne er can sleep,
/ Beats yet in the true-hearted;
i But strongest beat of all is found
i In BALDWIN, the undaunted.
| Like Hercules, he bear all up
/ And save the Old Dominion,
| Whilst DER her waves the doUe be found
/ With peace in either pinion.
/ In either wing or either rank,
4 From either side or party,
+ There'll come sound of might and right
+ A Union sound all hearty
/ We hear it rushing from the North,
i The mighty West cOnsenting,
| From gallant Border going forth
II And bark the South relsntlng!
And so we twine or freshest wreath
Fer him who stands true-hearted
| Fighting for UNION and for RIGHT-
/ For BALDWIN, the undaunted.
AS the wreath was presented, a general feeling
of admiration was manifest all through the Hall,
i eliminating at last in applause. Approaching
with dignity, nodesty and grace to receive it,
| Col Baldwin said:
4 Ladies and Gentlemen. am no politician;
4 thank God have never been a politician; |
/ thank God | believe l never could be a poll
| itician. My taste, my inclinations, all lead
Eme to the walks of private life. / acknow ledge
that am ambitious-alnbitious to excel in
/ whatever | undertake. | acknowledge | am
ambitious for the appreciation OF the jnst and the
good. trust shall never be unduIy anxious
| for the approval of the mere nultitude but
admit that the approving smile, the approving
word of the just, the good and the true, comes
to me with joy unspeakable. Alasl the little |
have had to do in public affairs, the little inter
course have had in the ways of political war
| fare and conflict, has sadly lessened in my esti-
nation the number of men entitled to be called
the good and true; yet still find they are jn-
biant over the approval of the multitude. But
| what shall say of the approval OF vrtuous wo-
men? | avow that to gain by fair and hoDora-
Bile means, without the sacrifice of self-respect
or personal integrity, such approval constitutes
with me one of the highest aims of my loftiest
ambition.
| have received here in this most unexpected
manner such testimonial of appreciation from
the ladies of Richmond as, l can assure you,
touches my heart / have no claim upon your
IaVOr except tudG all CTuS-tTu0 10 tu0 prlQCl>
pies that profess, true to the cause that | es-
pouse, true to the country that l love, true to
the Constitution under which have lived and
which has shielded and protected me and mine
in all the time of my past life. That is all the
claim have upon you. There are those who
look upon our Government, who look upon our
blessed Union, who look upon our glorious lib
erty, and think only of it in connection with
wrong, think of it only in connection with evils
that are incident to all free Governments, think
OF it only in connection with the injury it might
do. 1t is my habit to look upon our Govern
meDt as Government which in the past has
blessed me, which 10 the present protects me-
and which in the future promises me all the con
siderations that | expect to enjoy in the world
as a citizen of any Government. I look not
upon the stars and stripes, thank God, only to
see stripes. l look upon the flag of my country
with thrill of patriotic devotion. | cannot
forget would not forget if could-that it is
the flag which was borne aoft upon every field
of glory, that distinguishes the history of this
great country. 1t is the flag which knows in
the past no sectional distinction, no local preju-
dices, but which has bazed upon the fields of
fame and glory in every part Of our great and
glorious Confederacy. 1t is the flag that Stark |
bore at Bennington. 1t is the flag that waved
at Saratoga, 1t is the flag that waved at Eutaw
Springs, at the Cowpens and at Yorktownl 1t |
represents in my mind my whole country
would to God | could say my undivided coun-
try ! (Appausa0