Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-07-10
LOCAL AFFAIRS s


geotj0ns, bells rung, national airs sung.
aud perpetual firing Of crackers, torpe-
does, aud shooting irons generally, kept up
from early on the Sd to late on the 4th =
Early in the morning prayer meeting
was held at the Methodist Church and spb-
sequenty divine service in the Episcopal
which was attended by the SlemmerG uaris
who for the first time appeared in public
in uniform, At nine o'clock they again
assembled and marched to the residence of
Judge Ritz, where beautiful fac was
presented them by the Rev J Lcithead,
on behalf of The young ladies of Lewis
town. Mr. l.. addressed them as follows
SIR; On this morning Of the anniversary
Of our country's independence we have as
sembied here 10 participate in an interesting
and impressive ceremony. | have been de-
puted by the young ladies of Lewistown to
present to you, and through you to the Stem.
mer Guards, a company of which you ara
chief officer this beautiful banner which
wherever 1t hoats throughout the world is
the emblem of freedom and the ension of
liberty. Ii Is the same old flag beneath
whose folds our fathers fought the battles Of
the Revelation and achieved their nation,s
ePendence--glOriou deeds which we this
day celebrate, and which every true natriot
loves to commemorate. 1t is the same han.
mer which has waved in triumph over many
battle fields, and upon which victory has eT.
@r delighted to perch. It's fame in the mast
has been uutarnlshed, its honor has been nm
suited by SINGLE stain, and its glory has
been ever bright and unobscured No for
cISn Toe has ever assaled it successfully. and
now when domestic traitors are seeking r.
pull 1t down. they shall be equally unsuccess I
iul IA theIr mad efforts to trample II in the
dust. There Is sadness in the thouuht th,t /
1t should have been fired upon by those to
whom II has ever been n protection and q /
blessing, but tie very guns which lombard .
"d the walls of Sumter woke a nation free /
men, and millions have risen up in its de-
tenee We wait the issue patiently but
hopefully ana with all certainty. The popu /
Jar Will demands that this rebellion be crush .
ed out. that all insubordination be put down, /
and inat the honor aud authority Of the Gov
ernment be fGiIy yindicated and sustained
1t must be SO, and it ,cW be 50, and
tn" Star-spau4lcd Banner still in ,rimp,h shall
''! '''''ii
Ger ia" land Of the free and the home Of the brave"
The origin of your company is coeval with
the war which these Southern rebels have in
anSurated' ana winch they are now carrying
on. You organized for the purpose or rdetaDd
lug the affairs and fresdcS of our homes
from the incursons and Gepredations of
those who might perhaps invade and seek to
lay them waste. 1t was patriotism which
prompted you to the act. and know that il
was pure and lofty patriotism which has in.
duced these young ladies to bpstow anon Won
tnS banner under whose folds vau shall
hereafter rally. Ii gives inc great pleasure.
my dear sir, to hc the medium of nrcsanting
it L. vou and to Your e--n.Y-vs.r, r,rf2
,lr|ivert iutu your hands. Accept oft. and
.nay it ever find in You noble and gallant de
fen .crs-mcn whose love and dcvotion to
their country shall ever he nndouhted, and
who shall never. uey"r prove themselves un-
worthy Of the name and character Of Ameri
can citizens. And now,
.-Farcr.r float ;ilat standard sheet.
Whore irr.'hr- the rn" lu l:di~ before us.
Wl;ii trrrdotn- ~o beneath feet.
Aa t''rdniu., BANNER streaming o'rr as
The tla- was received by David b. Viii
son. who had been elected Captain Of the
Guards, in place Of Captain D. VanvaIzah,
appointed lst Lieutenant in the L s. Ar
my, with the annexed reply:
SIR: 1t is my privilege to receive through
You this cu>j GA donation by tHe ladies Gi
Lewistown to the Slrmmcr Guards. On be
half Of the company | beg leave to say TO
you, ladies, that they will ever cherish the
gift, and associate with it the most generous
:ecollcctOns Of You who fISt moved in this
testimony Of confidence in and respect for
cur company. The gift itself no ordinary
une, to the Slemmers, is rendered tenfold
mr.e dear Icy the circumstances which attend
this presentation. The character Of the do
nation. the relation which the donors bear to
,he company, the time chosen for the prescn
tatiou, and lastly the sacrilegiOus assaults
which lmpIuus traitors are now making upon
nur country, which this flag represents, make
this OCCASION peculiarly sacred to us ALL
Coming it does from you who are bound
10 members Of the company by tbs tenders
Of sisters and companions, it must neoeSsar- =
ig prove to them a keepsake around which
Will cling many rccollectiuns of the happy
days Of the past But when they reflect up
on the many miSgivings and forebodings
which the present national difficulties natu-
rally excited in Your mind while preparing
il, the Slemmers can only receive il as me
mortal from you OF their first duty-that to
their country and as the embodiment Of
your heartfelt benediCtions. They must ev-
er regard il the index to that sentiment so
largely manifested by your sex in the pres
eut crisis, that in your hearts love of coun
try, of which this flag is the standard, is only .
second to their love of God.
But, ladies, your choice of time for tender
ing this gift lends to it peculiar consecra-
ton. This beautiful Stars spanged Banner
on this day transports the mind of every
true American to the drama of which the
4th Of July eighty-fve years ago was the
opening scene.
Emboldened by the majesty of their cause
nerved by succession of cruel wrongs, and
trusting to Heaven for protection, such men
Iaararoo,, tho Morr;sjs and dopoe'S tbap