Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-11

II. -
On the ID, at the State House. the 35th In
diana (lst Irish), Colonel Walker, we're pre-
sented with beautiful fag wrought BY the fair
hands of the ladies of Laporte There was
quite delegation of the fair sex on the ground.
and numerous citizens besides, who were inter
ested in the ceremonies. Miss Ellen Hathaway,
the accomplished daughter of Maj. Gilbert Hath
away, of Laporte. on behalf of the ladies. pre-
sented the coIors. She said:
Colonel Walker and Gentlemen of the 35th Rssi-
menf of Indiana Volunteers:
That epoch in our country's history, which
great minds of a past age so united to prophesy,
has at last arrived. The disunion their prescence
suggested has come with its blight upon our Ma
tional prosperity. Civil war now fans the embers
of patriotism leif smouldering under the ashes Of
long years, and in the glow they exhibit we see
the pride OF American strength hasten to the
field Of strife. .t9
The spirit of loyalty and valor animates nos
alone the American By birth. but the foreign pop
tsation that has thronged our continent. With
undaunted hearts. and arms ever raised in de-
Tense of liberty, the noble Irishmen, who have
enjoyed under the Constitution of a Republi:
that freedom they SO highly estimate, now prove
the reputed cbivairy of their to be NO MN
strel's story, and that sfs7a tris
s.zrin remembers the dats Of old.
Ere faithess sons betrayed her;
Ere the Emerald gem of the Western world
IL Was set in the crown Of stranger"
The ladies of Laporte present to this regiment
this flag, slight token of their appreciation Of
the dangers they incur in the cause of their
adopted country. No stain of past conflict
mars the beauty of this gift, but it unsulied is
placed in their hands to lead them to victory and
to be guarded from dishonor.
No tongue can predict a soldiers fate; but the
struggle in or nations last hope as Republic
will surely result in a triumph which many OF the
Irish regiment will return to us to enjoy. The
memory of such noble heads as are laid low, and
of the patriotic and courageous immolation
of life upon the altar of Liberty. shall sink deep
i'm the hearts of the American people
Col. Walkerl the chosen leader of thous-
and brave men as ever fought for their country s
veal, accept the assurance that the womea 3
Indians trust you. Wonan's tears viii wash out
the deep dye Of blood with which fierce battle
may baptize this flag and women's hearts will
beat with Joy that the lives offered up were 10y
al. l ~ Is
The pulse of the nation quckens. and the
heart throb of Northern exultaton shall be felt
from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, when victory
is ours. r8ll
Soldiers you go to battle for your country
and your firesides Garry this flag into the blood.
lest field plant il over the graves OF the van.
quished enemy, that the breeze, as it catches its
silken folds, may watt 4 defiance to traitors from
every thread of its fringe.
May long echoes of applause ring out on the
winter air, and thewekin resound with the praise
of the North, as the 35th Indiana regiment
achieves some noble work.
Soldiers when you return-bring pesce
fbrfx
en- of Indiana will cherish the recollection of
your sacrifice in your countrys cause, and it shall
dwell green in our memories as the sod of Erin,
sacred as the shamrock of your native Isle.
Miss Hathaway concluded amid the most en-
thusiastic applause on the part of the brave mer
to whom she had so touchingly and eloquently
appealed.
Col Walker responded. He pledged himself
and his regiment never to dishonor the flag jus
presented, and always to bear it proudly aloft or
die beneath its folds. COL Walker said that he
was not one OF those who approved of this
war in the beginning, and that, even after
the fall of Sumter, he would have pre-
ferred peace. But what now were free
men to dof That Government which bad
protected him hitherto he would stand by now.
And he looked forward to the day when, peace
having having been restored to our now divided
country, our victorious armies, coming from the
North and the South, would sweep the last YES
tige of tyranny from the American Cont
nent. We subjoin Col Walkers remarks, in SUBJ
stance, as furnished by our reporter:
Miss Hathauay:
In behalf OF the regiment which | have the
honor to command. return to you, and through
you to the ladies of Laperte, the sincere thanks
of brave and honest men for your very beautiful
gift.
Tie frozen lakes, and the snow clad prairies
and the surly winds of winter have not cooled
the affection nor dampened the patrso.ic ardor OF
the ladies of the North; and we welcome this
delegation, far from your homes. bearing to us
this emblem of our countrys pride and glory. as
messengers of promise-the guardian spirits OF
our honor and our name. While we have hope
and honor left, we will cherish the senti
ments with which you have greeted us, and fight
for and defend the flag which you have placed in
our possession.
The Irish regiment, ladies, as 1t is styled, was
inaugurated at a time when the Irish element Of
Indiana was to great extent already absorbed N
the military service of the country; yet, while We
have had many difficulties to surmount, its ranks
have been mainly filled with the sons of the Eme
raid Isle, interspersed, however, literally, with
the nativeborn citizens of our own beloved State
with men who could welcome the Exile Of Erin
to the free shores of America. and who can stant
side by side with the foreigners, in peace or il
war; in defending the Constitution and supporting
/ the laws of that Government under which whit,
men of all nationalities live on perfect equality
A mean man, it is said will think twice before b,
does generous act, and generous but impul
sive man will often do a thing that's wrong. Ou
regiment is composed OF brave and generous men
and while, as individuals, some may be reckless
as regiment they will prove true to their coors
aud think may promise, wit out fear that WI
will plant that standard, you request, ''on the
boodiest field" and, if not wisely. we will at leas
defend it well. sN 80 ~.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, having ceased
to be man of words, and, a soldier, become
| hope, man OF action, have perhaps said suf
fcent without referring to the political questions
connected with the war 1t ssis true, might b,
excused, and possibly the circumstances of M
position may warrant me, if refer to the fac
that, as citizen, in the past, my voice, feebl
though it were, and my influence wherever i
extended, were exercised in behalf of toierence
of peace an6 of friendship between the people o
j the two great sections Of our country. Whel
those sections became divided upon partisan
issues, and the consequences. as predicted b
\ Thomas Jefferson and other sages. were an
nounced to a startled people by the roar of can
non over the fall of Sumter, even then ] woul
have had the conservative masses of our country
men come together in peace and stay the blood
torrent of fratricidal war ss
could not then believe, though perhaps / wa
in error, that States held together by force coul
be maintained as Republic: and the picture o
d. of
an impoverished country end of the dismal pal
of mourning which would follow civil war I
nearly every household, possessed no charm fo
me. The time, however, for peace offerings ha
passed away. The two great sections of th
country are arrayed against each other II; deadi
conflict. Having stood by my Government i
the past, shall not desert her in the hour of tria