The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-05-11
Flag PresentatiOn

II was announced IN yesterday morning !
paper that silk flag would be presented to
Capt. Thompson's company by the ladies of
Evansville at o'clock in the evening. The |
place chosen for the presentation ceremonies
was the portico of the Court House, fronting |
on Main street. Long before the hour had |
arrived the crowd began to assemble, and
but few minutes elapsed before the windows
Of the Court House, Crescent City Hall, and
the windows and balcony of the Washing
ton Hotel were filed with ladies, while |
Main street was blocked with men. There |
was but little noise or confusion. A feel |
ing of sadness appeared to lpergade the en-
tire assemblage that the time had ever ar
rived When this people were called on to arm
their neighbors and friends and present to
their care the American flag, which they are
expected to protect and defendagainst traitor
Gus and rebellious Americans. Notwithstand-
ing the sadness which many thoughtful
countenances indicated, the compressed lips
showed there was no lack of determination,
and the flashing eyes and heaving bosoms-
when the beautiful symbol of our country's
nationality and glory was unfurled to the
breeze-plainly spoke death to the traitor
Gus hand that should attempt to desecrate
or dishonor it.
The Turner corps were out in full num-
bers, aud moved with the precision of old
soldiers. Their drill is becoming improved
very rapidly, and they certainly are better
prepared for active service than any of our
home companies.
Captain Thompson's Company-the Cres-
cent City Guards-headed by the Crescent
City Band, marched up in double file, and
stood Immediately in front of the portico, with
the Turner'S in the rear in two ranks, while
the crowd was compactly packed in between
the two companies, and down the street to
a considerable distance
The Crescent band opened the exercises,
Il
Ocean. The same piece was then sung by
party of young ladies and gentleman
with fine effect. The song struck sensis
tive chord and the hearty cheers that went
up from the vast crowd showed that Column
bia was enshrined in their hearts.
Mr.. Shanklin then, in behalf of the ladies
presented the flag, with the following elo-
quent and touching appeal:
CAPTAIN: In behalf of the ladies. I
present this flag to>you and through YOU to
the company which you command. 1t is
the work of fair hands prompted by the
patriotism Of noble hearts. The custom OF
presenting flag to the soldier going forth
TO battle TOR his country is not a new one.
Away back in olden times, the banners that
waved yietoriously over the grim legions OF
Cesar were made and presented bv the
sturdy matrons of Rome. The cross of St.
George that Haunted defantly on the red
teld OF Waterloo, upon which cross the first
Napoleon that day was crucified, and after
wards the great stone of st. Helena rolled
against the door of his sepulchre-that
cross was made by the proud mothers OF
knglandi and on every battlefield, when
the din and storm of strife is loudest. as the
soldier through the thick smoke of battle
catches sight of his country's flag. his heart
beats quicker, and his arm grows STRONGER
to think that its bright colors were put ON
by the brighter eyes, and its pure white by
the still whittier hands of his country
women.
History tells Us that the original of this
flag was born at Bunker Hill, and baptized
at Saratoga, while the choir of continental
cannon was chanting the baptismal service:
it came of age at Yorktown, and now when
1t IS grown up in its full manhood
and strength Southern traitors insist
that it must be born again. Well If
it must be so-let its new birth be
at Charleston and its re-baptfsm at Mont
gomery with the same proud eagle for its
godfather. You remember when, during
the revolutionary war, our flag was
shot away from the breastworks of Fort
Moultrie, young soldier by the name OF
Jasper sprang forward, and amid the hot
fire of the enemy planted it firmly on ton
OF the ramparts. Eighty years have rolled
by since then, and once more at the same
Fort Moultrie, almost on the very spot where
it fell before, has our flag been insulted
and dishonOred Is there a heart in
this vast crowd, that will not Join in the
prayer, that Indiana may furnish the mex
Jasper who shall once more plant our flag
on the breastworks of Moultrie. The same
glorious immortality that covers, with {
golden sheen of light, the Jasper of the rev
olutlon, awaits the coming Jasper of oul
day.
Soldiers, to you this flag is entrusted
The knight who brought back his banner
uniform and unsullied by the fierce contest o
battle, was disowned and rejected by hi
lady love. Do not be afraid of soiling thi
noble flag; if De blackened by the smok,
of battle the same fair hands win make il
folds white again on your return if it b,
torn and riddled in the raging strife of tn,
battle field, not broken star that shall no
shine again; not tattered stripe that shall
not wave as proudly as ever to the breeze
God of Heaven, forbid that the flag of tn
Stars and Stripes should ever be dis
honored that flag in which the dyin.
Pike was wrapped when borne from tn
field of QUALIFICATIONS shroud for sucl
a soldiers form that flag which, whel
the splinters were flying from his yes
sci, and the blood running deep owe
the decks, the dying Lawrence said shout,
never be struck that flag under which tn
American Soldier has felt that death has N
sting nor the grave victory 10 him VIII
dies for his Countrys honor-no, no;
must never be dishonored. As its long an,
graceful folds bend and wave in the breeze