Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-29
The Fort Sumter NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of
The Old Flag-impressiye Address by Mr.
Beeeher.

Beeeher.
The New York Times correspondent brings
an account of the ceremonies on the 18th
inst, in Charleston Harbor, when the flag
hauled down four years previous, was again
reared to its old place above Fort Sumter,
by the hands of General ANDERSON. The
day was propitious, and some 5000 persons,
including many distinguished men from the
North, were present to witness the ceremo-
MES, and listen to tie address. There were
also large attachments of white and colored
troops, marines and sailors, serving as guards
the 54th colored, whose gallant and noble
| Colonel lies in here's grave, on the shores
| of Morris Island.
After all was ready for raising the flag,
| Gen. ANDERSON came forward and said:
| 1 am here, my friends and fellow citizens, and
brother soldiers, to perform act of duty which
is dear to my heart, and which all OF you present
| appreciate and feel. Did listen to the prompt
| ings OF my own heart, L would not attempt to
speak; but have been desired by the Secretary of
| Var to make few remarks. By the consderate
appointment of the Secretary Of War, am here to
fulfil the cherished wish of my heart through tour
long years of bloody war-to restore TO it's proper
| place this very flag, which h0ated here during
peace before the nrst of the cruel rebelliou-I
thank God have lived TO this day, Applause,
be here to perform this, perhaps the last act OF
duty to my country this life. My heart is filled
with gratitude TO Almighty God for the signal bless
sings which he has gwen us-blessii IS beyond
| measure. May all the world proclaim glory to
God in the highest, on earth peace and good will
| toward men,
At the conclusion of his remarks he seized
the haly ards, and with IA firm and steady pull
loff fkn old Hax No haA
caught the breeze than there was one tumul-
| tuous shout. Ii was Inspiring moment,
grand and sublime, never to be experienced
| again. Our flag was there, its crimson folds
tattered, but not dishonored, regenerated and
| baptized anew in the fires of Liberty. Gen.
| Anderson could hardly restrain his emotions.
| Tears OF Joy nIIed the eyes OF nearly every
one present.
When the flag reached It's height it was sa-
luted with 100 guns from Sumter, and with a
national salute from Fort Moultrie and Bat
terry Bee on Sullivan Island, Fort Putnam on
| Morris Island, and Fort johnson on James
| Island, places conspicuous in the inauguration
of the rebellion, and eminently appropriate
| for them to take a part not less prominent in
the national rejoicing over the restoration OF
national authority. National airs were also
played by the band, which was followed by
The singing of the Star Spangled Banner, with
an effect that was thrilling.
Previous to the raising of the flag, the
steamer Planter, Captain Robert Small, which,
it will be remembered, run the rebel gauntlet
in 1862, came to the FORT loaded down with
about 1000 and 5000 of the emancipated
race, of all ages and sizes Their appearance
was warmly welcomed. Captain Small was
subsequently, introduced to many distin-
guished gentlemen, to whom he narrated his
Interesting adventure with lively satisfaction.
The address by HENRY WARD BEEcHER was
delivered in his matchless and eloquent man.
ner. 1t was characterized by the most libe-
raj and conciliatory spirit, but demanded
that slavery should be utterly exterpated, and
the black man given his rights. The conclu-
sion of the address was as follows:
From this pulpit of broken stone, we speak forth
our earnest greeting to all our land; we offer to
the President of the United States solemn con-
| CALCULATIONS that God has aimed his life and
| health under the unparalleled burdens and suffer-
| ings of four bloody years, and permitted him to
| behold this suspicious contamination of that ma
tional union for which he has waited with SO much
patience and toritude, and for which he has labor ed
with such disinterested wisdom. Applause To
! the members of the government associated with
him in the administering OF perilous affairs in crit
ica times; to the Senators and Representatives OF
the United states, who have fashioned the in
sruments by which the popular will mi ht express
and enforce Itself, we tender our grateful thanks
| [Applause.l To the officers and of the
| army, who have SO faithfully, skillfully and
| gIoriousy upheld their eountry's authority by
| suffering, LABOR and sublime courage, we offer
here a tribute beyond the compass Of words Great
applause Upen those true and faithful citize s.
men and women who have borne up with unfiinch-
ing hope in the darkest hour and covered the land
with their labors of love and charity,we invoke the
divinest blessings of Him whom they have so faith
fully initiated. Applause. But chiefly to Thee,
| God of our fathers We render thanksgiving and
praise for that wondrous Providence that has
| brought forth from such harvest of war the seed
of so much liberty and peace. We invoke peace
upon the North peace be to the West peace be
upo the South. In the name of God, we lift up
our banner and dedicate it to Peace Union and Lib
erty now and forever more. Amen! GGreat ap-
plause.