Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-04
7 III E JOU RN AL.
THE FLAG OF OUR COUNTRY.


by John Russell.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN Having been cho-
sen to address you this evening, shall en-
deavOr TO respond briefly. The subject, The
Flag of our Country, was suggested TO me by
friend, and accepted as appropriate, With
but one discouraging thought, i. e. that your
humble speaker is incapable of doing Justice
to theme so dignified and important as this is
At the present time-the present critical
mement-when scores of thousands of our cti-
zens are called forth from their families and
friends, to defend that Flag which we arc
proud TO say has prot ected our institutions so
long, is it any wonder that that Flag holds
place so dear in every loyal American heart,
whether native born or adopted.
ssThe Flag of our Country!'' II is the en-
blem of the liberties and institutions of the
American people. The banner which has so
proudly feated over sea and land for nearly
century-which has visited the ports of every
civilized nation upon the globe, and has been
respected by them-which has scared aloft
like the American eagle, the strongest and tho
boldest of the feathered tribe, which is emble
matical of the greatness and power of our gov
ernment. The banner under which our coun-
try haa grown up, prospered and spread its be-
nign influence from the Atlantic to the Pacific
over such vast area of TERRITORY that Ii
seemed as though the whole western hcnf-
sphere was destined to be included in its folds.
lt is the emblem OF the asylum for the OPP
pressed from foreign lands. In short the en-
blem of the home of the brave and the land OF
the free and which, until recently, bid fair
to be the honor and pride of the world, and
under whose mantle, nations yet nborn might
repose in perfect safety.
is 1t any wonder then, that when the dark
and gloomy clouds of civil strife and internal
discord are threatening to rend in twain that
glorious ensign of our greatness and power
when rebel heads are plotting and rebel hands
are working for its annihilation,-I say, is it
any wonder, under these circumstances, that
every true American and patriot feels deep
anxiety for "the Flag of our Country''-that
every person of whatever sex or condition that
has arrived at the years of reflection, and in
whose veins one drop of loyal blood is cours-
ing, should be aroused to a sense of the con-
dition of our country, concerned tor the pres
ervatfon of its institutions and its laws, and be
willing, yes anxious to lend q helping hand to
the cause upon which rests all our liberties.
To aid in some way or manner in crushing the
rebellion which threatens the lives of so many
devoted sons of patriotic sires which dooms
the principles, upon which those liberties are
based, that lie at the foundation of our gov
ernment, and guarantees the noble right to tho
exercise of the elective franchise to every
freeman, without respect to rank or condition,
and guards all our rights with scrupulous re-
gard to justice and honor. Granting to every
supposed criminal the sacred privilege of
trial by jury. in order that while the guilty
may be brought to condgn punishment, the
innocent may not suffer from an unjust charge.
Ours is model Government. Sorrowful the
thought that it should be overthrown. Surely
none but traitors of the deepest and most
damning dye would desire the consumation of
so deplorable scene. True, monarchs would
rejoice, and despots and tyrants would be jubi-
liant in declaring to the world that our expe-
riment ofa Republican government had failed
that he
of self government, was a farce, and that
hencsforth kings and potentates might rest
securely upon their gorgeous thrones, at the
expense of submissive people. But, where
is the man or woman who has lived in our
favored land and enjoyed its blessings, who
would wish to see sach aretrogade movement,
as that this great wealthy and prosperous ma
tiot should be thrust back whole century
into the very chains which our fathers fought
to break, and that too, to crafty the mad am
bition of the leaders of sectional strife If
such persons still Inger upon our soil, it is
time they would seek agovernnient more con-
genial to their taste, and not remain where
they are clog to the wheels of the progress
sive car of universal liberty.
ssThe Flag of our Country l'' The flag that
was insulted on the morning of the 18th OF
April last, by the opening of the lombard
ment of Fort Sumter, which was hauled down
(not surrendered) on the 18th, and saiuted by
so guns on the 14th, and brought triumphantly
away. That flag once more floats in the
breeze upon the soil of that treason cursed
State, South Carolina. ssAt half past two
O'Clock p. m, of the 7th inst, the American
ensign was hoisted upon the flagstaff of Fort
Walker, and at sunrise on the 9Th on that of
Fort Beauregard, at Port Royal, S. CO. Less
than seven months have elapsed to bring about
this change. This State, deeper in the guilt
than any other. because first to rebel, seems az
last about to feel the weight of the RESPONSE
bility which she so justly deserves to bear not
withstanding the strategy used to ward off the
blow and cause it to fall upon her less guilty
sisters. May we not from thiss circumstance
indulge the hope, that this great vict ory,
achieved at so small cost of life, at least will
be the forerunner of a succession of like vic
tories, to be continued, until rebellion ceases
and rebels no longer strut defiantly over any
portion Of our vast domain. Would that this
might be the case, and would that il might be
soon. May the Union army move steadily on
ward to certain victory. May it triumph over
all opposition and teach the rebels the lesson,
that while the government does not desire
their subjhgation,. the army has determined TO
subdue them at whatever cost, and establish
the fact that the Union still lives, that the
Constitution exists, that the laws wiH be en-
forced, and that it is dangerous heresyto
a contrary doctrine. In concIu-
sion then, would say TO the soldiers, as If
they were present,
March on, then, ye noble, starlwart Freemeu;
Proud to meet your cotintry's direst foes;
Fearless as the sturdy, sun-tanned seaman,
Who braves the briny oceans saddest woes.
Let nothing check you in your bold career,
Nor cause you in your righteous course 10 lag;
In fighting for the rights you hold 80 dear,
You r fighting for your Country's glorions
Flag. ~ sa
A good man is kinder to bis enemy than bad
10 atv FIJI