The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-09-11

the meeting the largest delegation in
proportion to its last Democratic vote.
The committee consisted Of Misses Lib
bic Neiswanger, Sadie Woodruff, Anna
Myers, Maggie Mcbride, Belle Thompson,
Mary Heyman, and Maggie Hubbard.
The banner was very rich and ele-
CANT one, rejecting equal credit upon
the taste, liberality and patriotism Of
the ladies of st. Clairsville, by whose
exertions it was procured. Itwas made
of heavy blue silk, about four feet
square, tastefully bordered by yellow
silken fringe, and appropriately mount
ed with rollers and staff. 1t bore in
front the national coat of arms and the
motto: ''The Cons titution must be
preserved" On the other side was the
inscription "Richland, to the Banner
Township"
Mr.. Chambers announced that the
banner had been awarded to the Demo
Gratis of Wheeling township, that town
ship comparatively excclling the others
in the number of its citizens present at
the meeting. Miss Libbie Neiswanger
then came forward and in a clear and
we'll modulated voice and admirable
manner pronounced the following adj
| dress: o.
Democrats Of UhceliHg TOwHship:
This banner, consecrated by the
hands of virtue to the purpose of patri-
otism, is presented to you by the Demo
cratic ladies of st. Clairsville as 4
token of their high regard for your eX-
traordinary efforts to restore your coun-
try to that harmony and purity exem-
plifed by our fore-fathers in the forma-
tion of this great and glorious political
/ tfabric-the freest government on earth.
When the infant colonies now COM
posing the sovereignties or States were
assailed by the most gigantic power OF
Europe, our patriotic fathers i'll their
might resolved that they TOald be free.
Their yeomanry spoke in thunder tones
to her sceptered millions, and the war
cry was Liberty, That liberty was at
length attained by the expenditure Of
much blood and treasure; then Wash
ington, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison,
Rntledge, and other patriots of the rev.
olution, in spirit of harmony and COM
promise, framed our constitution met
ing ont Justice and equal rights to all,
and under which. for a period of seventy
years, our country was prosperous and
happy.
On this banner is represented the
Am srican coat of arms. In the centre
is the American Eagle (the emblem of
liberty, surrounded by the stars and
stripes, so sacred to the hearts OF Amer
ican Freemen. And gazing upon these
will we not all remember the proud eX-
ample of our forefatEers, what is due to
them, to yourselves and to yOur cOun-
tryi These are the symbols of l776.
when freedom from her mountain hight
Urfurled,her st lndard TO the air,
She tore the azure robe of night
And set the stars of glory there
But strife for ascendency among the
people, with its blighting influence
came, and one after another OF the
founders of our government, the defend
ers of these symbols, had passed away.
TLeir voices are no more to be heard III
defence of those noble principles for
which they periled their lives, their
fortunes and their sacred honors, and
which have established n govern
ment and constitution that
for ages have defed tyranny
treachery, and foreign wars. But, like
ancient Rome, whose orators and states
men became corrupted and encrvated
by political faction, despOtism became
the ruling passion of Radical poll
ticians who, under the plea of loyalty,
have revolutlonized your Government,
denounced your Constitution as "a COW
enant with death" and that flag "a
Haunting lie." In the meantime, thus
sang the muse of Radicalism,
"Tear down that Haunting lie.
Half mast that starry tiag,
Insult no sunny sky,
With hates polluted rag
1t occurs to me now that this is an
historic day. On this day, the glorious
10th of September, l7S6, Convention
offive States assembled to devise a plan
for "more perfect Union of the
States, which resulted in the adoption
of our American Constitution. On this
day. in the year 1873, the heroic Perry
had the proud satisfaction of penning his
celebrated report, that thrilled every
patrioticheart, 1--WE have met the enemy
and they are ours" 1t is fit day for
friends to meet. May il be auspicious
for the American people, as is indicated
by the enthusiasm of the assembled
thousands here to-day who seem willing
to profit by these examples.
Accept this banner then, and may it
stimulate you in further efforts to re-
store your country to that unity repre-
sented by these symbols, and that har-
mony contemplated by its founder. And
when the clamOr and strife of ruthless
partizans shall have snhsided, the Union
being restored in all its purity, then
will the olive branch of peace once more
spread her blessings over Onr one" hap
py land.
CONCLUSION
Thus closed one of the most magniii-
cent political demonstrations ever had
in this region. OF its effect upon the
coming election it is not our purpose
now to speak at length. We prefer to
say that such imposing assemblages, ad-
dressed IS was this, cannot fail to pro-
duce an incalculable effect upon minds
that are open 70 reason. A cOnsid-
erable number of Republicans were
in attendance, and the disposition
they manifested TO listen TO Demo
cratic speakers. may fairly be
interpreted as one Of the promising
signs, to be followed by happy fulfil
ment upon the second Tuesday in oc.
tober. The political situation in Ohio
is now regarded as in every way favoEa-
BILE to the Democracy. Opposed to
them stands the Radical organization,
with its record Of infamies, its financial
follies, itp unconstitutional acts and
usurpations, its bad purposes, and worse
men and last and worst, its status upon