Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-24
Flag Presentation.

Made by Miss NARY /. NICHOLAS, daughter of the
lamented ROBERT CARTER NICHOLAS, Senator Of Louis
lana, and Colonel in the War of 1922 on present
ing splendidly wrought rich silk flag to the "SoNs
OF ERIN,r commanded by Capt. RANDALLrW. MCGAv-
ocK. She said:
CArrArN McCIAyocK: In times of deep political and
| social agitation, when the very atmosphere seems
rife with turmoil and revolution, then 1t Is that
/ mans active courage and womans quiet herolsm
/ are brought into requisition Surely the man who
Houd hesitate to defend his liberties and his native
soil from aggression and fsnaticism, would be but
a base craven and the woman who could not
send forth those who are bound TO her by the
strongest ties Of nature and affection to fight the
| battles of justice and of right, would be unwor-
| thy of the name. But the sons and daughters
of Tennessee can never call down upon themselves
these reproaches and, surely not those among them
who lcok back with loving pride upon the Green
Island of the Atlantic as their "tatherland."
whose ancestors were the brave, the enthusiastic
children of Erin No, the qualities which have
shed such lustre upon their ndtiUe land, have
bloomed forth in richer luxuriance and Vigor when
transplanted TO the free soil of America. When
oppression has leveled its brute force against the
people of ireland, have their voices been sienced?
Have their arms been slow to strike? Do not the
tones of Burke and of Grattan still reverberate
throughout the land Can any view, unmoved, the
form of Emmett, preserving in adversely and IN
death noble aud more touching dignity than he
could have worn amid the proudest scenes OF sue
cess and triumph? Can we wonder that those who
have wandered away from those green and lovely
shores, should still sing with tender longing,
ooh! steer my HsrQus to Ern's I'le,
For Fri is my honel"
But for ourselves, our lot is cast in Tennessee
and our sympathies, ever warm and active, cannot
be poured too generously forth TOR the beautiful
home of our adoption. Columbias soil has already
been wet with the blood of the sons of Ireland. Co
lumbia's air has already resounded with the spirit
stirring eoquence which people less ardent than
the Irish can command. One name belongs espe
cialy to us and it is of peculiar interest to-day
the hero of New Orleans-by descent an lrshman-
by adoption, a Tennessean-ouP intrepid determin-
ed and venerated JACKSON Let him be your exam
plar as he is pride.
And now when the clouds of are lowering
darby and heavily above US when Tennessee must
hold herself ready to defend her liberties and her
firesde-you, the representatives of ireland in our
midst, are among the foremost TO offer yourselves
for her bulwarks and we, as daughters of Hiber-
asandng to day beneath the shelterng roof of the
yenerated and honored pair whose first breath was
drawn in the same FatheTland, are to present to
you banner, beneath whose folds you may march
10 the battle field with the spirit of your ancestors
and the love of your adopted home burning IN your
bosOms.
Take this flag Sors of Erin, we unfgrl it with its
two-fold symbols 70 the breeze, and we give it 70
you, knowing that you will carry il brsvely forth,
and bring it back, unsullied by dsgraceful suomls-
sion, or by ungenerOus advantage OF OeIeateC Zoe.
And when the battle is fought and won. and
heavenly peace again smiles upon our homes, then
turn your glad faces hitherward, and, though your
banner may be defaced in the strife, and some of
your number may have found soldiers grave,
honor and patriotism shall wipe away all stains,
and all tears, and will welcome you back to our
native land our Tennessee.
Capt. McGavOck received the flag in the name of
his Company in one OF his happiest extemporaneous
speeches, pledging for himself and command, to de-
fend woman's gift and Southern rights at all
hazards and to the last extremity. He was follow
ed by Corporal ODonneI, who breathed forth his
whole patriotic soul is assurances of respect for the
fair donors-the ladies of Nashville-and vowed 70
himself and fellow-soldiers to defend their flag,
even to their last drop of blood and their last breath
against the Northern usurpers and vandal hordes.
The presentation took place at Mrs. KEoxs, in
front of the Masonic Temple, where an immence
concourse assembled to witness the scene. The en-
thusiasm was high and the whole affair was
decided success.