Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-02

L 4f-4Al oANt-AaeA usAAA as@ 49, 80 -
ysptsrday afternoon vas made the occasion
Of most interesting Gag presentation 70 II
The regiment formed on the north side ofth'
Square, with q full number present, and
marohed by flank into and through th'
Square. As they moved on In their new and
bright truppingS, With veil ordered nusksti
and bright bayOnets cleaning in the sur
they displayed proficiency in drill and ar
excellence Of noteriel which will justify the
pride Of Cleveland in its fAvorite sons. The
regiment formed on the west side Of the
Square, fronting the monument. General
crOWeI then addressed it, presenting thea
hsg in the name Of the ladies who had got
ten IL up, viz: Miss Hattie Davis, Mrs.
Robeeca Mckee, Mrs. Eliza Read, and Mr..
Mary CroweI. he said:
CoLozEL HATEARD;-I have been honored
with an invitation from the fair donors Of this
beautiful flag, to be present on this occasion,
and in their name and behalf, to present it to
you and through you to the splendid regi-
msnt which you command. It is a gift
worthy Of the patriotic ladies Of Cleveland,
and cannot fail of being highly appreciated
BY the officers and soldiers Of your command.
This flag is the emblem Of our National
Union and strength and it was borne in tri-
umph over the battle fields Of the revolution,
when our armies were commanded and led to
victory By the immortal WASHINGTON. Let
no dishonor bsfaI It while in your keeping ;
snd If you are called to do battle against
foreign or domestic foes, only express the
sentiments Of the patriotic ladies in whose
behalf address you, when I say that It
would be more honorable and praiseWortby
that 1t should become your winding sheet
than that it should be surrendered to the en-
emies ef our country and It's institutions.
Take this beautiful, this splendid banner,
then, Colonel Hayward, fragrant with so
many glorious memories, and present it TO
the citizen soldiers Of your regiment, and let
it be preserved as q cherished, as s very pre-
ciOuS memento Of the generous patriotism Of
those who gave it..
The presentation Of 3 Asg to 8 regi-
ment Of soldiers an on ordinary occasion,
and in times when peace and harmony
reigned throughout our land, would be
looked upon IS an idle ceremony, or at
most, as pageant, attractive aud interest
ing only to the idle and curious. But
at 9 moment like this, when the loyal
States have sent a million Of soldiers to the
field to sustain the Union, and our republi-
can Institutions, won by this vslor, are
founded BY the wisdom Of our fathers, and
cemented by their blood, it is full Of signif-
cauce and cannot fail of inspiring the most
patriotic emotions in every generous bosom.
While the shouts of victory achieved over
domestic enemies, over armed rebels, by our
citizen soldiers in so many we'll fought bat
ties, occasions like this furnish conclusive
evidence that whatever Of military organi-
ration and military strength are necessary
to settle and diFpsrse the foes Of our country
will be cheerfully supplied, and supplied too,
under the inspiring infusnco and generous
approval Of women.
Colonel Hayward, on receiving the Gag,
responded as follows:
GENRrAL cRoEELL-SIR: The honorable
position / occupy to-day is fully appreciated,
and it is BY the good opinion entertained of
me by my companions in arms, that I am
thus situated. They, suppOsing that pos
Hessed some military knowledge, elected me
as their leader, and whether possess the
necessary qualifications and have the capac-
ity of imParting it to others, the public,
whose property it becomes our duty to de-
fsnd and protect, alone must be the judge.
This occasion oonvinces me that our mo-
tiVes are appreciated, and appreciated too by
the ladies, and the encouragement thus re-
eeived will stimulate US to press forward and
| fill our ranks with young men imbusd with
feelings Of pride and patriotism, and ready
to become proficient in the use of the arm Of
/ ha fn nh hfah uTaa n
excel in military knowledge and discipline.
The history Of our country, for the past
three years. has impressed upon all right
thinking men the importance Of q thorough
military organization and the education OF
the people in military science. A well or
ganizsd militia is, emphatically, the bone
and sineW Of the country. We depend upon
1.-THE very security Of the country depends
upon it. To defend the laws under which
We live, our noble Institutions from whence
hoW 60 many blessings, from the attacks Of
/ foreign mercenaries or domestic fanatics is an
exhibition of patriotism that should command
the loud applause of every American.
Sir, It is with much pleasure that L accept,
in behalf Of my command, this flag, and
pledge you my honor as soldier and man,
that this color, the hsg Of our Union, shall
never be disgraced. And now, my cOmpan-
ions in arms, depend upon you TO sustain
me in what have pledged, and commit this
beautiful color to your care; always bear in
mind the source from which it omansted, and
preserve It's purity unsullied at all hazards.
May IL lead you in triumph through all dan
gers and EicisBitudes attendant upon q resort
to arms.
Sir, you will please present our united
! thanks to the donors for their splendid gift,
to the ladies whose Judgment and good taste
in designing and executing this beautiful
i color siicits our warmest admiration; and to
yourself, sir, for the very happy manner in
which you have been pleased to disehargs
the duties assigned to you fou will please
accept our unfeignsd thanks, and allow me
to assure you that the record Of this day will
be bright page in the history of the 2sth.
The Gag itself was a very fine One-Per-
hsps as fps as vas ever borne by a Cleveland
regimsnts It bears the words, "2sth regi.
ment o. v. NJ" It's material is the hnsst
silk, with gold fringes and tassels.
After the presentation exercises were con
eluded, the regiment practiced battalion
drill for about sn hour, going through thI
svOlutions with remarkable precision ant
skill. They thsn MARCHED alternately b.
flank, by column and by company front
through the principal streets Of the city, anC
finally went through a dress-pArGde on su
psrior between Bank and Seneca streets.
The whole affair reflected credit on all con
uected with It, not only the munihoent donor
Of the hsg, but also the regiment and its ex
cellent officers.