The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-07-08

Ladies end Geutemen:-I have the usual
apology. for appearing before you on this oc-
casion. Several gentlemen, now present,
whom, in regard to this matter at least, it
would be singular misuse Of language to
designate as my friends, have strongly i'm
portuned me to address you to-day. / am in
formed that it had been expected that dis
tinguished member of the legal profession,
Mr.. John r. Pophaln] Of great and deserv
ed celebrity, both as lawyer and public
speaker, would fill the part Of the orator for
the day But unfortunately for you, that
gentleman imperative professional engage
ments have called him elsewhere. And re-
greet both on your account and my own, that
you should thus be deprived Of the rich in
tellcctual repast which | am sure he would
furnish for your entertainment were he pres
ent and that the task Of endeayoring to sup
ply his place should have been assigned, in
part at least, to one SO little qualified, as |
feel myself to be, to discharge the duty Of
the hour, with eloquence and effect.
The object which has brought you togeth-
er to day is one of great interest to the peo-
pie of this neighborhood and this county
For time "whereof the memory of man run
meth not to the contrary" the aFlag Rock
has been an object Of interest and pleasant
resort especially for the young and gay Of
both sexes, not only for the inhabitants OF
this vicinity, but to vast numbers Of strangers
from every portion Of the country, who, IN
other times and far happier days than those
which an al-wise Providence has allotted to
the present generation, were wont to frequent
our mountain retreats in search OF health
and pleasure How often have the intellect
ual, the wise, the gifted, the young, the gay
and the beautiful met OIL that mountain top,
around the rocks upon which you have plant
ed your flag, and held sweet converse to-
gether Had those rocks been gifted with
ears, and could they now find tongue, what
tales might they not unfold Of all that has
passed upon the summit Of that mountain =
How often may there have been acted the
scene so beautifully described by Burns,
sI've paced much this weary, mortal round,
And sage experience bids this declare:--
If heaven draught Of heavenly pleasure spare,
One cordial in this melancholy vale,
IT'S when youthful, loving, modest pair,
In others arms breathe out the tender tale,
Beneath the milk white thorn that scents the
evening gale"
Long may those grand old rocks remain
unmoved, defying alike the winters storm
and the summers sun, raising their proud
brows to heaven, objects Of interest," OF de-
light, almost of love to many succeeding
generations, as they have been to our ances-
tors, and are now to us Long may that
banner which you have this day unturled,
continue to wave in the breeze Of heaven, fit
emblem in its unsullied white Of the truth
aud purity Of the fairer and better portion Of
creation in this mountain land, as the lmmo-
vable rocks upon which you have planted its
staff, are suitable types Of men, whose hearts
are as true as their own rifles, and whose
spirits are free as the wild winds that blow
over your hills and through your valleys
In the very brief period Of time which has
been allowed me to consider upon what sab
| iect or upon what topics should most ap-
propriately speak to you to-day, | have really
! felt myself perplexed how to determine as to
those which might be most suitable. Yield
| ing to the ideas naturally suggested, by our
present anomalous political situation and the
condition of the country at large, l have
hoped that some remarks in regard tothe ire
mendous events of the few preceding years,
to our present as contrasted with our past
condition, and to our future prospects, might
not be unacceptable, nor seem inappro-
pirate to you. Within the last seven years
the people Of Virginia, in common with their
brethren OF the South, have sustained losses
and suffered calamities which can find no
parallel in the history of civilized nations du-
ring this century Seven years ago, after
having exhausted every expedient within her
power to settle peaceably the difficulties which
had so long been eliminating between the
Northern and Southern States, the State of
VIRGINIA. in the exercise Of what large ma
iority Of her people. believed to be an I'M
doubted right, passed the famous Ordinance
of Secession, withdrew from the Federal
| Union, and became member Of the South
ern Confederacy The banners Of the new
| Republic, as its citizens fondly considered it,
waved triumphantly from the Potomac river
to the Gulf of Mexico. and from the Atlantic
coast to far west of the Mississippi river
Under their folds reposed white population
devoted to their newly established govern
ment, a vast majority Of whom were ready to
neril their lives in its defence. 1t may well
be doubted whether,at that time,a single man
could have been found within the broad lin
is of the Confederacy, who, in his heart be-
loved that its proud and gallant people
AMONG the most chivalrous on earth-coqld
IN four years be overwhelmed and compelled
r.