The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-07-17


.Eleisyila9 q tta.H@ g4nl fl EsE
Celebration of the 18th Of JuI,
L. Ht Agency City.
Mr.. EDlToR ON the 4th. about twenty
five hundred, Of the patriotic citizens of Wa
pello county, convened at Agency City /,
celebrate our National independence. Th,
day was beautiful. At an appropriate hour
by the charms Of martial music, the peopl
were assembled in the center of the towr
and under the command Of Maj. Crean,e,
and Esq. Walker. Marshals of the day
were arranged d in procession, headed by tn,
Agency City Brass Band, marched to beau
tiful grove north Of the railroad depot wher,
the following exercises occurred:
The presentation of Flag. prepared by
the ladies, to the Agency City Home Guards
which was. accompanied in behalf of the Ia
dies, by very eloquent speech from Rev
j. B. Drayer. Mr. John Allen ESQ, replied
on behalf Of the Home Gua ds in short but
appropriate speech. !. Prayer was then offer
cd by Rev. Mr.. Dudley. The Declaration
Of Independence was then read by Mr.. Allen
Rev. j. c. Smith. Of Missouri. was then in.
troduced. and delivered the Grafton Of the
day, which was listened to Will, marked in.
terest! BY special request, copy Of the ora.
ton was obtained, ard is herewith furnish.
ed for publication. It viii paw for reading.
Also copies Of the speeches delivered at the
presentation of the flag are furnished by re.
quest for publication.
These exercises were interpqrsed with
charming pieces Of music. in the performance
Of which the Brass Band did themselves
great credit.
Then followed the "dinner," which was
served up in excellent style, with an abund-
ance for all. But for want Of sufficient con-
trolling power, some fell short of supply.
This ended, the procession was escorted back
TO town, where some toasts and patriotic
speeches and cheers gave vent to the enthu-
siasm Of our citizens, who then dispersed -
All in all this was one Of the most Quiet and
rtlerly celebrations of the kind it has been
our privilege to witness in long time. Not
a drunken man was ia oe seen during the
day. The united sentiment of the people is
the "Union now and forever"
Yours truly, JOHN w. LAFoRcE.
REMARKS OF REV. J. b. DRAWER, ON PRESENT
ING THE FLAG TO THE HOME GUARDS.
Captain White and Agency City Guards:
Gentlemen Il am commissioned bv the
ladies' to present to yol this flag, the stars
and stripes. as expressive Of theiI devotion
to our country, and confidence in your pat
riotism 1t is the flag of eur country.
around which our fathers rallied in the days
of the American Revolution, and under which
they gloriously triumphed. and has ever
since foated in the breeze, honored and re.
spected by the world. And yet this flag OF
our country is now being assailed by en-
enies.
Our Government was put into operation
under the guidance Of the noble Washington,
ard was intended to be of perpetual exist
ence. Our Constitution was intended 20 be
the bond Of our Union, the charter OF our
rights, and the sheet anchor Of our political
safety. Our government has BEEN our pride,
and the admiration of the world-wisely ar
ranged, equal and benifcent in it's opera
tons. The best and mildest government
upon which the sun shines-under its be-
nign Influence our progress has been most
wonderful in all the things that adorn and
beautify nation. The stars of our flag have
been increased from thirteen to thirty four
A country for beauty and variety of scenery,
fertility OF SOIL abundance Of minerals, and
heathfnl climate standing pre- eninent-ex-
tending from the Atlantic ocean on the east
to the Pacific ocean on the west from the
British possessions on the north to the Gull
Of Mexico on the south presenting, until
recently, united and happy people, a single
nation, known throughout the world as the
United States of America" :" Notwithstana.
ing all these things, the arm of rebellion,
without any just cause, without any consti.
tutional right invaded, is raised for the dis.
solution Of the Un;nn, thc destruction of the
government and the dishonoring of our Clio.
rious Gag. What wickedness. what ingrati.
tude, What monstrous crime. to raise the
hand for the destruction of that government
which has been to them as well as to us, the
source Of protection aad innumerable bless.
inss. But these efforts of Traitors cannot
will not, must not prevail
The distinguished Webster once said
"Th,s lovely land, this glorious liberty, these
benign institutions, the dear purchase
Of our fathers, are urs,-ours to enjoy, ours
to preserve, and ours to transmit" Incsti
mable trust confded to US for poste,ity and
the world. Shall we prove true to this grea,
trust? Oh, yes and your hearts respond
yes, and that this trust must be faithfully
performed at every hazard, cost what it NAV
In the language of the lamented Douglas, ]
would say "This government must be main
tained, its enemies overthrown, and the more
stupendous our Preparations. the less O
bloodshed and the shorter the struggle. TIL,
greater our unanimity, tho speelier the day
Of peace"
Soldiers-we commit this flag into youl
hands, satisfied that you will maintain it.