The national Republican., 1861-02-15
LOCAL EW S.

cert OF Company Z, Washington Light Infantry,
came of last night at the Smithsonian Insttu-
ton, according to announcement, and was a
very successful affair. The hall was crowded,
aud nearly all the military companies Of Wash.
ington and Georgetown were largely represent.
ed. The stage was arranged in beautiful aud
picturesque manner, the stars and stripes oc.
cupying central position thereon, surrounded
by evergreens, arranged in most tasty man.
ner.
The Marine Band, Prof. Scala, was present,
and performed several pieces in fine style,
which were much applauded The singing was
very good, SO good, in fact as to leave little TO
particularize. The duet "Juniata," by the
Misses Warwick, was loudly encorcd ." The
Lonely Bird" duet, by Mrs. Pope and Master |
Pugh, was also sung in a manner to draw forth |
oud and prolonged applause. And the chorus
Joy, Joy, freedom today" led by Professor
Daniel, which concluded the first part, was
rapturously encored.
The band then played the "Star.Spangled
Banner" whilst the company took their posi-
ton upon the stage. Mr.. c. M. Chaplin then
advanced and introduced to the company and
the audience assembled the Hon. John Coch.
rane, Of New York, who spoke as follows:
SPEECH OF HON. Mr.. coCHRANE.
In behalf of the ladies Of Washington, I am
commissioned to present to you, who represent
Company G, Of the Washington Light Infantry,
these colors 1t does not become me, in this
presence, to dwell upon the gallant bearing and
the martial chivalry of the Company before me,
nor yet upon the virtue, the patriotism, and fe-
male loveliness Of the proud donors of this gift
These are considerations which are known to
you all. They are as common and as genial as
the atmosphere that we breathe. Standing here
to represent them in my humble capacity, and
to convey what beauty should always convey to
the gallant-the emblem and the symbol Of pu.
rty and manhood-ths occasion is one rife
with more than associations connected with the
simple conference of gift We stand here, fel.
low citizens, in the focal light Of events which
are hour after hour passing into history-events
which apply most intimately to the bosoms, the
family sides, the hearthstones Of us all which
even now are making their winged way across
yonder waters, awaking from their slumbers the
potentates of Europe, and summoning to the
contest the spirits Of malignity, as we'll as those
Pardon me, If l should detain you but one
moment, soldiers and fellow-citizens, from the
immediate object of this occasion, while d.
rect your attention to few of the considera.
tions which mainly constitute the occasion of
which we form a part. We are here, in the
central position of Union which has CON-
manded The interest and excited The admira.
ton of world. Now going on to its first
century, it is interrupted by events more omi.
nous and portentous than the world has ever
seen. More ominous, because upon their de.
cision depends the prospects Of freedom the
world over. More portentous than the earth.
quake, or the belchings Of the volcano; for,
upon the decision of events which are trans.
piring around us, rest the hopes and destiny
Of mankind. We stand here representing all
interests of all climates, and Of all ages enact
ing in ourselves the history Of humanity, the
history of science, Of the arts, the history oi
education and Of law, the history and destiny
Of worlds, and civil liberty, now and for all
time to come. For, let but this occasion pass
without the triumph which the scene merits
and from this instant, from this moment q
time-speaking in reference to the patriotic
efforts which ere now being made to stay the
avalanche-from this moment Of time hurries
down upon humanity and all its interests tha
terrible cloud of woe and wrong which shal
darken US and destroy the world forever
Loud applause.
The curtain once rose upon people gl0
rious, prosperous, and happy. 1t rose at lengtl
again upon a world in arms, q continent agi
tated and disturbed, people hurrying to ant
fro, the hearthside OF all assailed, liberty OF
Tended, and at last we stand in the very pros
cenium of the great theatre of action, with
broken arch before US, and pillar crumblin,
and PROSTATE, a statue mutilated and destroyed
And it is for US, we, part OF the citizens @
the United States it is for us to decide upo
this occasion in the popular majesty of publ
opinion whether the ruin which is instant an
imminent, shall be arrested, whether W
shall plunge madly on in this career of disr
tegration and national ruin.
1t has been alleged that the assembling c
the soldiery, the quartering in the city Of Wasl
ington of portion of the regular army, tn
military note by day, the camp fire by night, al
all, indicate military despotism, and that ou
liberties are being crushed out by the arme
heel of the military usurper, and that the grea
captain of our host is to be converted into tn
tyrant, who is 10 rule the subject, and who
to control the liberties of the citizens, whic
are to be destroyed by this aggression of militar
power.
Why, felow.citizens, were it not for tn
defensive array, were it not for the arms
of the soldiery, we're it not for the strength {
our citizen-soldiery about US, we might at tn
time be in the midst of havoc, Of civil war, an
wars desolation. Applause. But as we al
now more peaceful, the child, playing uncol
cernedly upon its mothers lap, may still III
consciously play. The boy, trundling h
hoop over your streets and along your avenue
may still pursue his pastimes undisturbe
The business OF your mart IS ol lts accustome
volume and value. You are here, in the mid
of your ordinary avocations and enjoyment
and while revolution is progressing wthou
more thorough more decided and grave tina
any the world has ever seen, yet you sit her
quiet citizens in citizens garb, pursuing yo'
duties, and enjoying your pleasures, And
whom is this to be attributed? While WI
and desolation are threatening around, withor
and in every section of the country, to who
are we to attribute this peace, and this satet
if not to that very conservative strength whic