New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-02-25
MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY IS, I8gI.

/ la1ies and t6air Baue-aen atten2au,s whilst host
Of ether adiea :euaad in ibgir cayrszca. Shortly
nfter the military reached tic ground, the weather,
which had assumed doubtful appearance gave
unnistakable Indications Of rain and by degrees
the rain eaa1e on, much to the dissatisfaction nj be
s6ldieTs and everybody on tha ground, GeG. Pal
frey'a Brigade vent to the far end Of the field, |
where tenta for b7ouackfDg had been pitched
us3er the trees; and Cen. Tgaoys Brigade formed
in line opposite the stand, to witness the
! Presentation of the Flag
To the Washington Artillery. This battalion formed
in line Immediately in front of the stand, whilst it
it was 1anked right and left by the other infantry
battalions and the cavalry. The ceremony of pre-
sentation was Witnessed by as many people as were
possibly able to aqueezo into o look-outplace. The
flag is certainly one of the richest and most beau
tiful ever seen in this country. 1t is the gift Of
the loveliest Of Louisianas fair daughters. Every
part Of its adOrnmcnt was manufactured in France
and the design has been subject Of some months
consideration. 1t is composed Of two broad sheets
Of satin-onc side yellow, the other deep red. It
| bears, in embroidered needework of variegated
silk the Of the State side, and the badge
and motto Of the Washington Artillery on the other.
The design of the flag, we should add, was by ladies
of this city; the French material of embcllish-
ment was furnished by Messrs. Hyde & Goodrich;
and the embroidery work was done by Nine Ver-
net, at the corner of Toulouse and Rampant streets.
When all was in readiness, the Hon. J. P. Benja-
min appeared in front of the stand with the flag,
surrounded by ladies'. He then addressed the Ar
tilleri8ts as follows:
Gsnilelnen or the battalion Ct wasiUst0n Artillery:
This day is hallowed by the memory of the purest
and noblest patriot whose name consecrates the
annals Of free people, With just reason, then,
has it been chosen by those whose gentle presence
flae pf
the presentation Of the flag which, in their names
and by their honored behest, now deliver into
yonr custody.
,Tis for no hireline soldier that their fair hands
have emblaz0nod its silken folds. IT'S to no raw
leyies of metal yet untrjel that they commit the
proud charge Of guarding this pledge Of their pa
tr!otis1n and Of their confidence in your valor-nor
they, nor your fellow Louisiauian's have forgotten
the past history which illustrates your corps. We
recall with pride the unprecedented fact that dur
ing the last war with Mexico, upon receiving in
this city the requiston for troops, your corps,
within eleven days had already encamped at Point
! Isabel, and reported yourselves TO the Command
ing General % ready for active service that the
> Washington Regiment, of which you formed part,
was the first to volunteer and first to take the field
: during the war; and we share the mingled emo
tons of grief and pride with which you recur to
the memory of the predecessor of the gallant Off
Ger who now commends yon--to the mournful re-
. collections Of that lamenied hero whose name was
blpzed by the bloody rain Of victorious battle on
= the red field of Contreras.
nave Saiu tLst IU IHeFGtudiS pdHd IL tle itt
Il lent of this high honor. The citizen soldiery of the
Stato-her picked men, the flower of her youth,
the choice Of heriveterans-a all are hourly swell
: ing the masses which flock to the defense of her
r hanner. Her fair daughters, with sparkling eye,
though quivering lip, assemble to reward with ap-
c proving smiles the patriotic ardor of you, hus-
q bands, sons and brothers, and to influence your
hearts with heroic devotion to the cause for which
they are as ready to suffer ALL as you can be to
t. dare ALL And what il the cause that has occa-
o stoned this sudden and spontaneous outburst of
| feeling that quickens every pulse and fires every
soul? It is the cause of your country, your liber
q ties your independence, your most precious rights
!. menaced and invaded. Already from the distant
t. North are heard the first sullen muterngs of the
| coming Rtorm-meu alien to you in feeling, ant
hostile to you in interests, assert the ins0ent pre-
u tension of enforcing foreign laws upon your soil
1t and of reducing you to yassaage under their sway
2s With naughty assumption they claim the unre
II striCted right Of governing you as interiors, an
with an arrogance as insane as it is insulting, the
!" affect to derde your stern assertion OF your right
H. the petulant contumacy OF disobedient depenc
:. Ispeak gentlemen, in the belief that our indc
~ pendence is not to be maintained without the sheC
lg ding of our blood know that the conviction is nc
Is shared by others. Heaven grant that may prov
ut mistaken Yet, fearful as is the ordea1 and muc
as war is to be depored, it is not the unniXed ev
which many consider it to be. By beniicen
dispensation Of the Creator that which to mortal
t. seems most calamitous is not unfrequently con
G. verted into blessing at His hands. The fir
sweeps over the subble and the clarred and black
= ened surface of the field attests its ravage Yet
T. little WHILE and the spring rains descend and tht
heated earth quickens into vigorous growth thu
7r germs that else had lain dormant in its bosom
"a Even so the hot passions and the fiery eXcesses
10 martial strife, whilst seeming to destroy, ofttime
10 but serve to stimulate into active development th
in nObler impulses and more elevated sentiments
is which else had remained torpid in our souls. s.
-. tho erco assaults to which the principles of FREE
III government are now exposed can but serve to en-
s. sure their immortality, Just as the torrents of mol
Of ten lava which threatened the total destruction o
| mira les Of ancient spUlOtrrn have bcnD th
r very Of preserving for posterity, in marvel
- lou3 perfection, the beauty of their forms and thu
" harmony OF their proportions
IT, 1t is the sacred duty of defending your country
Il her rights and her honor--take good heed.
= charge you, in the name Of those for whom speak
IT, take good heed that this, their gift, be born
ID upon the battes CREST that it return not with it
" shining gloss undmned its ample folds untorl
~, and unsoed; but let its snoke.staned and tattere
fragments attest the daring gallantry with which
ne was borne, and the steady courage with which j
II was defended. And yet again, and still in the gen
III tic names of those for whom | speak, charge yo
- shat you forget not III the hottest passion OF tn
IL strife, the mercy due to the yielding foe, nor
tarnish with single cruel act, the ieg which the
IS, have wrought, as TO cause their Eorrowng heart
g. one pang of grief shame. Remember that ma
a ture herself weeps with plying showers over tn
" havoc caused by the descending bolt, and TIM
81 sunny smiles chase tho tears from the cheek a
I'd suon as tie elemental war is ended.
an Gentlemen, receive your flag. May prosperou
,n fortunes attend it, and you and yours, May yo
lo have just reason to regard it with the sam
NJ eEUltant pride as now beams upon your features
to tcst expression of your gratitute to the loVe]
No donors to whom you owe it.
,n Sergeant j. 7. Wheat advanced with o color dt
ot tachment; and upon receiving the flag for tn
Ia Battalion, replied to Mr.. Benjamin as follows:
-, In behalf of the Battalion Of Washington Art
" leyy, accept the flag which you have 40 noby dc
II mated as the gilt Of the ladies OF New Orleans.
st frankly confess dear ladies, my utter inabiiit
st to express the sentiments that know aGtuae eac
,l,Dtp fi,rF ali