Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-12
MARTIAL SPIRITS.

| 1uc OLLcI niles ICGtlNEu LQclI nag ITOIu
the Governor yesterday afternoon. The
weather was suspicious, and large crowd
turned out to witness the presentation.
Before the appointed hour ladies and gen.
tlemen began to arrive in large
Public Square, and in a very short time
the courthouse yard, the upper windows Of
that building and the windows of the
wholesale houses on that side Of the Square
were lined with scores Of men and fair la
dies.
At half past four the jackson Guards.
under command Of Capt. Tim Kelley, and
headed by the st. Joseph's Total
Abstinence Society band left
their armOry on Cedar street and marched
across the river to meet their companion
companies at McClure's Hall. The Wash
ingtOn Guards also turned out under the
command Of Capt. William NJ. Graham,
and the three companies formed in line at
McClUre's Ball and marched over to the
Square TO the tune of "The Mulligan
Guards"
After marching around the courthouse
and passing in review before the Governor
| and two members of his staff, Adjutant Gen
eral w. Il. Handy and Brigadier General
| David II. G. Spence, the Porter Rifles re-
| ceived their new and beautiful gift from the
/ hands of the Adjutant General, who, in
making the presentation, spoke in the fol-
/ lowing elegant and appropriate strain
| ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF GOV. PORTER.
| Gentlemen of the Porter Rifles: The
| eOlOTs hold in my hands, Gov. Porter de-
| sires that present to you, as a testimonial
| of the high appreciation in which he holds
| the distinction you have conferred by
naming your company in honor Of him.
In view Of the great drama so recently
! enacted upon the stage of this republic
| drama which, trust, shall never again be
presented before an American citizen, l
know that in my remarks l must tread
cautiously, if would not offend those SEN
tinels who still stand guard around the
camp fires of political controversy; senti-
nels who guard more jealOusly their own
interests, than the peace, prosperity and
honor Of their country.
Since the Southern Cross, which we
loved so well, sunk forever to rest amidst
the blood and the tears of a brave people
behind the clouds upon the banks Of the
AppOmattOx, this has been our flag. Ii is
the flag Of our country; 1t is the only flag
to which we owe allegiance. Let US study
the principles it represents, pledge our
allegiance to them and follow them. LIS
thirteen stripes represent the bond of union
formed between the original thirteen colo
MES that rebelled against the tyranny Of
British usuTpatiOn; its thiTty-seven stars
represent the thirty-seven States of
the American Union Of to-day,
washed with as noble blood of
the 'brave and the blooming" as
was ever poured upon the altar of cOnvic-
ton and hallOwed with the tendeTest MEM
cries. Your cOlOrs represent the national |
origin of our Government, its supremacy |
and authority, and warns us against the |
prOscriptiveness Ofparty spirit and sectional |
prejudice. They are she representative Of |
"a pure and magnanimOus patriotism and /
an habitual veneration for the fundamental |
law, as the palladium of our Union and our /
liberty and whatever changes may await |
Us, l am confident you will ever be ready |
10 respond cheerfully to a call to rally /
around the flag and defend its honor.
This, perhaps, is the first offering Of |
similar character that has occurred in Ten /
nessee for fifteen years, but trust a new /
era of nationality has daWned upon our /
country and that the fires Of patriotism /
which now so brightly burn may continue
to glow until their reyivifying influences are
felt by every American citizen, and when
the mutation Of years shall have passed
away the star-spangled banner may
still proudly float over a happy and united
Republic, whose citizens while keeping |
pace with che progress Of the age shall still
march to- the tune of "HaIl Columbia
When We lock upon this flag our love Of
country should be strengthened, our
pride in demonstrations, and our confidence |
in her fate should be increased. Guided
by sense of wisdom justice, prudence,
and moderation a distinguished destiny
awaits US. The centennial of American
independence is close at hand; our nation
al existence, though brief compared to the
nations of the Old World, has been fruit
full of stirring scenes-scenes that teach us
lessons Of the most impressive character;
for while the patriot heroes who first tore !
this rainbow of hope from the battle
clouds, have long since " crossed over the
river and rested beneath the trees yet | /.
their example still lives and grows bright
er and greener with each succeeding gen.
eratlOD, and should nerve our hearts
and strengthen our arms for
the rights and liberties this flag represents;
q fac whose influence is recognized and
throughout the world. Then,
sirs, look with proud admiration upon your q
5olOrs. They speak to you as they will
speak to future generations, Of the patriot
Sm of those men whose courage and wis
iOm made these United States one of the I
great nations Of earth, and should your I
country call you TO arms, and | pray God
he occasion may never require it, l know
7Ou will vindicate its hOnOrf that you will
read the paths Of danger as worthy sons of
Tennessee, and that yOu will bring back
a11r nc oil ho I
ilken labarum of Constantine and the a
nOWy plume of Henry OF Navarro.
Ladies, we thank you for hOnOring US to-
lay with your presence and your smiles.
you have no political status, you Fl
exercise great moral influence. Rome was 7
Dnce saved by the patriotism Of her noble
nd heroic women. It was Joan Of Arc
Who kindled anew among her countrymen d
he dying flames of patriotism and drove =
rom France the ancestors of those same q
British, against whose yoke of oppression
he courageous, constant and devoted |
7Omen of 20 Tebelled. None contributed
o much as yourselves TO the moulding of | g
ublic sentiment; then hold up before your | .,
ltheTS, your brothers and your sons the flag q
f your country, and tell them it is no less a tc
Ond of union to-day than when America, az
rTayed in the robes of independence, G.
-rong in her trusting faith and assured
Ope, threw off the yoke of royalty and
sSUmed the tOgd thrills of freedom.
And now, gentlemen, upon behalf Of
-ov. Porter, present to you the stars and
ripes Of old. Long may they waive, with
ever a missing star; and may he who
Iided and guarded the architects Of our
Mon, our Constitution, and our flag,
hide US all in the paths of duty and
striOtism.
The Captain of the Porter Rifles, Briga- u
er General sam DonelsOn, also Of the d
Overnor's staff, responded in the following
owing and fitting terms:
Ladies and Gentlemen: Approaching the ga
ct that martial spirit has long been dor
ant in Tennessee, and inspired with the
sire Of forming anew our allegiance o
e laws of the country, and its flag, under
hose protection we live, we, young men,
We organized this company believing that sty
would receive the appreciation of the peO- "a
z. We have adopted for our name that :,
one who enjoys the confidence Of the %
0ple, aud like him, we hope to so act, Br