Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-08-02
JULY FOURTH IN CHARLOTTE.

JULY FOURTH IN CHARLOTTE.
The following account Of a 4th Of July
celebration at Charlotte has but just reached
us,-ratber late in the season., but not 50
late as to have destroyed its interest we hope.
We must condense account of the the prel'm-
mary proceedings to a bare statement that
the exercises were conducted under the au-
spices of Hon. E. III. WHEELER, President OF
the day, assisted by A. G. PALMER and E.
STONE, Esqrs., as Marshals.
A Committee from the Ladies of the Relief
Association, attended by a procession OF
thirty-four young ladies dressed IN white,
with r~osettes, &C., presented the Scott
Guards"-a military company lately formed
in CHARLOTTESVILLE q beautiful national flag,
and addressed them as follows
Officers and soldius of n. Scott Guards-
Gmnsmen:-Ve have been appointed by the
ladies of Charlotte, who possess at least a small
portion of the patriotism of our Revolutionary
motHVio, " PAOeSne Jou WIN eAs hiE; "S O. tOhSn
Of respect and encouragement. We believe you
will not value less the gift, because of our def
cheney in presenting it, l would that we could
call to our aid the eloquence which the occasion
demands, yet no mortal tongue could match the
mute yet burning eloqueuce Of those stars and
stripes.
Eighty-six years ago, when the pulse of the
new national life was fast quickcning their hearts,
our ancestors unfurled to the breeze their first
national flag. Tine has only served to consecrate
it. To us of the third and fourth generation, it
is an object, not only of pride and affection, but
of generation. And until tho present year this
flag has never been treated with other than the
greatest respect and reverence, and. we say it with
shame, now is it insuIted by those only by whom
it should be held most sacred. But even those
mad enough to tramplc it under their feet, could
| rot quite forget the old colors. the red, white and
| blue, but still retain them In their ill-starred flag.
And in this hour of cur country peril and trial,
when our own brothers have pointed their deadly
weapons at the bosom of their country, which has
nurturcd and cherished them, and brought them
up to power and authority in the Government, we
would see you stand firm, true to the Institutions
sacred to every man worthy to be called
a son of the Pilgrim Fathers. You do not
expect to so to the field of action; but should
your country need you, We hope there is not one
among you, who would not willingly leave all he
holds most dear, to defend to the last, our glorious
liberties. And we charge you, that each should
so endeavor to attain perfection in his place,
that the name Scott Guards, should ever cause a
thrill of p ide to swell our hearts, that from our
noble town, a Company of such true-hearted, we'll
disciplined men could be formed.
Sir, In the name of the L aides of Charlotte, We
place this flag in your hands. Take it; wave 1t
ever on the side of Truth and Right; and where
ever and whenever its beautiful stripes and bright
stars shall unfold in the pure air Of Heaven, let
them always remind you that the Ladies Of this
town are willing to do with their might, all their
hands find to do in this noble cause-aye, to give
up those whom we love as our own lives, if nscss-
sary, for our Country and it Liberties.
Respectfully yours,
Mrs. J. II. THoRF, Flag Committee
Mrs. 5. JUDsoy, in behalf of the
MISS MARY P. BEERS, Ladies Of
MEsCAHRIE &. WHEELER Charlotte.
Charlotte, Vt July Eth, 1851.
p. E. P,ase Esq, received the colors and
responded SUBSTANTIALLY as fellows
Ladies of the Rsiief Association:
Patriotism like the
leaven of the Gospel in the human heart ever
seeks and will not be satisfied till it finds, its lesi-
y ,,t, uxol, &c ,.,;C.z =. -.. --..
in developing the resources of the country; in
founding schools for the general diffusion of use
full knowledge among men, and building churches
for the worship of God in times of war, in sus-
tanning her armies and sympathizing with her
soldiers.
We then, citizen soldiers,-whom 1 am only too
proud to represent in the capacity of a standard
beareT-have felt the impulse and as inyoluntarilv
as we would raise the hand to ward of a threaten.
ed blow, in this hour of direst peril, when fratri.
cidal hands are raised against us-rush to arms,
thus expressing as bes. we may our love for "fath-
erland in danger"
You have dJne more than merely symbolize like
US the sentiments in the soul. You have extend.
cd material aid and sympathy to our brethren in
the field, offering the sweet courtesies of home, in
caring for the wants of the sick AMI wounded in
the camp. Be assured the blessings of mauy
ready to perish" shall rest upon you, none the less
real and heartfelt though u~nspoken and unknown.
In all times men and soldiers in the stern CON-
fict of battle have gathered as a ralIying point
around the colors of their clan-best svmbol of
home, sweetly suggestive of all those tender ties.
We accept at your hands this FLAG, and do mos,
solennly and loyalty pledge ourselves ever 10 bear
aloft, not this beautiful stand of cclors only, but
all those virtues, civil, social, and domestic, which
have ever been protected by it.
And if in this day of darkness and danger il
shall be ours to meet the foe in the fell of blood.
We trust, be assured, that not one bastard soul
shall be found recreant to the claims of honor and
ofduty.
can not more fifty express the sentiment with
which I would close than in the language Of lib
erty's greatest living poet:
off We have whispered truth, whisper no longer:
Speak as the tempest docs, sterner and stronger;
Still be the tones Of truth louder and frmer
Startling the naughty south with the deep murmur:
God and our charters right, freedom forever a,
Truce with oppression, never, oh never
6aca with the southerner's padlocks and scourges,
Go-let him fetter down oceans free surges
Go-let HIM chain up the winds and the waters
Never New Eugland's own free sops and daughters"
Next followed an address prepared at tho re-
qnest OF the citizens by a member of the Guards,
Mr. Wallace Higbee, which was greeted with pro-
longed applause. The company then, escorted by
the military adjourned to the tables which we've
loaded with every delieacy, and abundance of most
substantial fire freely offered from the I,Tders Of
our citizens, each seeking to outv,e the other. in
thus llying, as it were, on the altar of our country
their best fruits, Of which, after grace was said by
the Pastor OIL the Center Church. the multitude
partook and depaIted, leaving enough for as many
more.