The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-10-22
SPEECH BY GeNERAL THOM Q
FRANCIS MEAGHER, THE IRISH
PATRIOT.
The Duty we owe 20 the Ola Flag and
10 the Government and It's
Executive.
From the Nashyil

A large huber of officers aud civilians
assembled at Fort GiIlem on Monday eve-
ming to witness this interesting ceremony.
Among those present we noticed Brigs-
der Generals Webster, T. +. Meagher
and donaldson.
At the appointed hour, four o'clock in
the afternoon, the troops had taken up
their position on the ramparts. The in.
terror OF the Fort was crowded with guests
and visitors, galaxy of lad;.s grazing
the occasion by their presence.
Capt. Gosson, Aid de-Camp to General
Meagher, formerly Of Prince Linchen-
stems Hussars in the Austrian service,
was on the ground, and attracted univer-
sal attention and admiration iu conse-
queuce OF his fine scldierly appearance
and the dns uniform he ., bedeoked
with green and gold spd actually glitter
ing with several foreign DECORATIONS and
military medals. The flag was hoisted
and unfurled amidst one ringing round Of
cheers. the martial strains of the band
and the presentation of arms.
Caption Halton, of the 10th Michigan,
having assembled tasteful platform which
was crested in the centre of the fort, in
a brief, eloquent and appropriate speech
introduced General T. T .Me,gher
The General on taking the stand, was
bravely received, and in his usual thrilling
and brilliant style delivered the foIlowin !;
address
SPEECH OF GEN. T. r. AEAGuER.
General Thomas Francis Meagber made
thu following eloquent and impressive re-
marks:
The ceremony they had just witnessed
to which be had the honor OF an Invitation
affd at which j, tad given him sincere
satisfac ion 10 assist, simple as it vas, ives
was ons of the most beautiful and impo-
sing thai could take place. The lifting
of a nations flag did more than proc aim
the Independence and sovereignty Of a
nation. Ii was the declaration of that
faith and love which, pervadiug the heart
OF people gave Immortal life 70 = nstio q
whilst they guaranteed the stability and
glory OF her future. Loud cheers. =
Fashioned out OF insignificant and per-
ishable materials, the beroism aud sacri
fees by which it had been won, gave it
sacred character and q value that was
inestim able. Far more precious than oil
her material 9esLh--thao all the gold
her fields, her ships, her docks snd mines
could yield it was the attribute and
treasure, which of all others, a nation
should most deeply prize, most jealousy
guard, most desperately defend Hear,
hear, and enthusiastic cheering.l Hum
bled, insolently handled, compromised in
the least. the nation that suffered her
flag to be so treated, was fatsily wounded
and her downfall was inevitable Neither
the wlsest of laws. nor they most liberal
provisions for the education and emo
bling o. the masses, nor the most pros
ferrous adventures in commerce, nor
kingshlp, however imperial. nor Democ-
racy itself could save her Hear, hear.
hear. Such no doubt, we're the senti.
ments ard convictions of the officers aud
men of the 10Th Tennessee, whom he had
the honor specially to address on that oc
casion when hitting The beau.eous and
glorious flag Of the Union high above
their camp, they reneaed their vows Of
military duty and devotion to the cause,
the country, and the history it was design
ed to illustrate. Cheers. Indeed no
one could lock upon that flag, and not
read at glance the origin ADD career,
the battles and the victory Of this nation
as democratic power-the bold pet
ltor IN all that materially improves a peo-
ple-the superior in liberty and all that
liberty inspires, Of the strongest and lott
lest sovereignty abroad. [Great applause. I
For the history it splendidIy epitomized
and which history was far more marvel.
Gus than any that the golden, whilst it
was far more heroic than any that the
iron ages bad produced this alone
the stars and stripes should be dear and
sacred to them
Bat whit in au illuminated mage. a.
II were. il gave then the worth ,f a pre.,
voIume--eave them the traditions and
records, the apostesh'p and maturing glo.
ry OF nearly cen'ar, Of wise and yIrtu
Gus iiberiy--it also gave them the man.
and was in itsef the map, of that mag.
n'hcent domain over which it had eeit.
Innate and prescrip,ive right 10 As, Gloud
and prolonged cheers1. If when gazing
on 1t, the grand celebrities Of the Revolu
ton and subsequent epocbs. as veil a.
the scenes IN which they 6gured, vividly
recurred to them, not less vividly did the
mountains, the lakes, the vast plains the
i"iaud seas, tie immense capacity an /
r'ches OF the national estate, display them.
serves, IN the light and lustre il shed
around. Great cheers And who. born
o. cltlztnship consecraied TO its defense
woula 'hink Of that Incompatible eoup.
Try an- her world Of privileges. spd offs
Tar transcepdlng those with which tho
most favored nations born MD. l"o
considerations, had been bles,-xh;.h =.
them could think Of tha, noble co,n,,. -
theirs, and not feel the blood rusbin,, -
his beart. aud his sw llvu arm ou;ves;no
10 It's fierce fever of vengeance. eager
impatient. vehement 10 its passion 10
strike down the conspirators, who in
famed With an infamous ambition, sought
70 mstilate AID dismsmb Der the National
estate, that 80 it might be parcelled ont
INTO pal,ry farms among fratricidal fac.
tons, instead Of being kept throughout