The national Republican., 1861-05-23
L OCA L N EW s.,
RAISING OF THE POsT.OFFICE FLAG,
SPEECHES, ETC.

sGEEChES, ELI.
There was an immense concourse assembled
yesterday morning within and around the Post
Office Department, to witness the raising Of the
"Stars and Stripes on that building, snnoun.
ced to take place at noon precisely. sub
stantial wooden platform had been erected on
the south front, Just over the main entrance,
extending from the ground to the base Of the
second story wiudow above, from which the
flag was to be hoisted. The male primary
schools in attendance were ranged in line on
the street Immediately facing the building,
while company A, Union Regiment, were sta.
toned on the front root, drawn up in position,
reaching from one extremity to the other.
A few minutes to IL, the Committee Of Ar.
rangements, consisting of DR.. R. .. Sidney,
St. John B. L. Skinner, and G. F. Mcdonald,
came out upon the platform, accompanied by
the President, the members Of the Cabinet,
and other distinguished personages, whose ap.
pearance was greeted with loud and prolonged
cheering. The Hartford Cornet Band, Pro-
fessor King, attached to the first Connecticut
regiment, Immediately struck up the "Star.
spangled Banner;" after which, General
Skinner (acting First Assistant Postmaster
General) addressed the President as follows
SPEECH OF GENERAL SKINNER.
Mr.. President: The officers and clerks Of
the Post Office Department, with view to
TO the Constitution, and to the preservation Of
the Union, have determined to raise, over the
building in which they are employed, the flag
of the United States-the glorious Stars and
Stripes under which our fathers fought, under
which they obtained the freedom of this coun-
try, aud under which we hope it will be perpet-
uated through all time. On this occasion, sir,
we deem it to be the highest honor that could
be conferred upon us, il you would crafty us
by raising the flag.
On this occasion, beg leave to say, in be-
half of the employees of the Post Office De.
partment, that they are a devoted and deter.
mined set of Union men, and are proud in
having, at this time and in this presence, an op.
portunty of testitying to you, sir, as the Chief
Magistrate of the nation, their devotion to the
American Union, and their determination to
adhere to it to the end.
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSE.
Sir: In response to your kind invitation, l
will say that | am very happy upon this, as
upon all occasions to be an humble instrument
In forwarding the very worthy object which you
have expressed. l shall therefore take great
pleasure IN performing the part assigned me
on the present occasion, and hope in a man
ner that will prove satisfactory. take it, ex,
tended remarks are not expected OF me at this
time but that it is the desire Of all that shall
Immediately proceed to the work of raising the
flag to the proud and lofty eminence which il
is designed to have it occupy. am now ready
to perform my part.
THE RAISING OF THE FLAG.
As soon as the President had concluded the
halliards attached to the staff were placed il
his hands, when, amidst the most deafening ap
plause from the crowd below, the flag wal
hoisted to its prominent position. There be
ing but a slight breeze at the time Of its eeva
ton, it remained for a moment or so quite mo
tionless, but suddenly gentle wind arising
from-the south, its ample folds were spread t.
the breeze in most graceful and beautiful
manner, which had the effect Of eliciting on
universal outburst Of applause from the assem-
bed multitude, which was prolonged as th
waves of the flag continued to swell ut ever
breath of wind. The breeze blowing from tn
north, caused the folds Of the flag to be ex
tended in the direction of the South, whicl
seemed to say to the Union men in that see
ton, "stand firm; these colors will protect you
and soon you will again have them gloriousl
covering your now most darkened and rebellion
regions"
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
This happy incident called forth the follow
ing appropriate impromtu remarks from th
President:
Ladies' and Gentlemen; had not thought I
say u WORD, nut u HAS ocCurrcu W hhc tnht,
few weeks since, the STARS and Stripes" hun
rather languidly about the staff, all over tn
nation. So, too, was it with the raising of tn
flag. At first it hung rather languidly but Il
pl lrious breeze soon came, and caused 1t
float as it should, [" Good" and applause, an
we hope that that same breeze is swelling tn
glorious ensign throughout the whole nation
SPEECH OF JUDGE BLAIR.
When the applause following these remarl
had subsided, repeated calls were made for Il
honorable Montgomery Blair, Postmaster Ge
eral.
That gentleman then came forward, and spoil
as follows
Felow Citizens: On behalf of the Office
of the Post Office Department, thank yt
for your presence here, on this occasion,
cheer them in their efforts to reawaken Il
hesrt of this nation to that proud old bann
which you all hailed with 80 much enthuslas
on this occasion.
As the President has said, it seemed, for
moment, as if the affections of the people,
one section of this country, had forsaken to tn
flag; but, my friends, that is great errt
The old flag is yet dear to the nation in
parts of this country, and the people are col
ing forth everywhere to uphold and mainta
it. Loud applause. 1t is not, my friend
because Of the beauty of its colors; it is II
because it has the stars and stripes upon it.
is because it is associated with all that is de
to American freemen. The eMblem of tn
freedom, the emblem of that glory, the emble
Of that popular government which is so de
in the hearts of this nation. +" Good q
applause.l 1t is for that, and that only, Il
the people of this country are rising-not az
party for we have ceased 10 be parties. g b
vo," and applause, We are no longer Den
Gratis; we are no longer Wings; we are
longer Republicans. We are Americans I
ciferous cheering standing up for free insti