Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-11-12
A GALA NIGHT.
our Crack Military Corps, the Chfcka-
saw Guards, at the Exposition
Building.
Presentation of a Beautiful Flag by
Miss Emma Etheridge-Her
Address.
Response by Captain X. p. Duncan
Hop at the ArmOry of the Com
pany-Etc.

men began 20 arrive, and ere an hour passed
the entire gallery was thronged with visitors
embracing the elite Of the city. The fact Of
this very large attendance was OF itself s
great compliment to the Chickasaw Guards
well as 10 the young ladies who mad made
and were TO present the nag to TINS eXcellen'
military company. No occasion has ever
aroused more general interest, or assembled
within the Exposition hall larger number
or elegant ladies and gentlemen. The pre-
sentation of a flag by the ladies OF Memphis
could fail to create general interest, for the
young men who compose the organization be
long to and most gracefully represent tnt
Leading and most aristocratic families Of
Memphis. The young ladies, who donated
the flag as a testimonial OF their esteem fol
the Chickasaw Guards, represent the culture
refinement and intelligence OF Memphis So
ciety. Hence the very general and unusual
yet most deserving interest which the occa'
sion aroused ana the presence OF SO many
persons complimented. By eight o'clock
THE CHICKASAW GUARDS
formed at their aTmory, under command Of
Captain r. p. Duncan and LieutenanLs Cam
erop, Ward and Carnes. Headed by Arnold's
brass band, the company marched down To
the Elk position building, which by this time
was crowded with visitors. The band entered
the hall and took its position under the gal
lery, half way down the hall. In few min
utes the Chickasaw Guards entered in two
plato ons, and took position in line facing the
stage. After the usual manual of arms, the
ensign, Mr.. Poston, was escorted to q position
in the middle of the hall and about thirty
feet from the stage. Miss Emma Ethertdgei
daughter OF Hon. Emerson EJ0erlQES, was
escorted to the front of the stage by L1euten-
ant-Colonel George Gibson, of the United
States army, who appeared in uniform,
while to the right was Thomas n. Allen, Esq.
who bore the flag that was to be presented.
Farther back on the stage were grouped a
number OF ladies and gentlemen, whose pres
ence completed very appropriate tableau,
spectators, both below and above, were now
peering with anxious eyes upon the Chicka-
saw Guards, as well as the group OF ladies and
41ars fNpnF he 60 10 :
had brought their arms to rest, Captain Dun
can, with his staff in proper position,
stepped forward, and
THE PRESENTATION SPEECH
was then made by Miss Etheridge, who spoke
as follows:
Gentlemen of the Ohlckasaw Guards:
1 have the honor, and indeed esteem
name OF the ladies of Memphis, this pure, IN
sullied banner, which is now for the first time
unfolded to the breeze, trusting, nay, believ.
ing you will receive il as a token of the high
regard which your worth and manhood have
inspired and as proving how much we hope
for, ay, expect in the future from those who
have been so faithful to duty in the days that
are past. We, who can so well attest your per-
sonal worth, deem ourselves not unfit cham
pions of your honorable aims, and therefore
present these cOlors, believing you will pre-
serve them untarnished for your own sakes,
your country'S, and for ours, hoping too, that
you will cherish our offering as the symbol of
"God and our native land" Whether in
scenes of gladnesS, or extremity of i'll, forget
not, that our good wishes and our prayers Will
attend you wherever you go protected by its
folds-goOd wishes Tor your respective well
fareS-prayers, that your lives may be stain
less as the ensign on which you are gazing
now. Among hearts so nearly allied by kim
drsd and friendship as those around
us, l can, alas! but feebly pic
ture the depth Of good feeling,
hope and expectation which animates them
in our behalf; and words, try as we may,
take but the form of benedicJfon-that, you
must surely know, is heartfelt, and but echoes
with fervent "Godspeed," emotions arise to
which all words are strangers emotions
blended with alternate sadness and joy-each
struggling for utIefance, each silent with
awe! While most of us may rejoice in wit
Messing this peaceful but auimating scene,
there are, perhaps, those among US who recall
other occasions when the hOarse drum sum-
moned spirits brave as yours t. victory or de-
feat; when colors, stainless as these, were I'M
furled 10 the laughing winds, reckoning their
joyous followers to glory or the grave. But
let US stifle all sad reflections now, recalling
only such as inspire to noble deeds, and teach
that liberation which is the precursor and at
tendant OF social happiness and public tran
qullilty. We would have your swords rest
forever peacefully in their seabDards; but
should necessity force you to draw them in
obedience to duty and the requirements of
right, seek to turn back, not deepen,
the current of war. See that aggression
Is first to provoke the conflict for
rightly invoked to repel invasion, or enforce
9 Ss 16WS a e e be- ASSURED ass Se thai
in sight of your standard, they are peers of
ambitions Votary or fortunes most favored
child; that your nag, in your hands, means
equal and impartial Justice TO all. We there
fore hail on as pledged defenders of domes-
tic happiness ana the integrity of our coun-
trys boundaries; only less than all these do
tectors of woman in her weakness should
the harsh note OF advancing war
again be heard. Since the chival-
rous days when mailed knights rode
forth to battle, each wearing the badge of
some fair dame, the memory of her virtues
his strongest protection, 1t has been one of the
most valued pr negatives of our sex to cheer
the soldier on his dangerous way, bind up his
wounds, and render thanksgiving for his tri-
umphs. But, much IS we glory liz the so dier's
hero1sm, no less dear to us is The civic crown.
Your flag is designed to commemorate the
double honors OF the council and the camp.
On its azure ground the wreaths of oak and
tanned by the sword. One now blooms
fresh on your broWs, at the threshold
of life; while the sword, in sublime re-
pose, sleeps in its Scabbard, to be I'M
only when your country calls. Let
us, above all, thank tod, that we live In the
light of peace, that olive branch which we
fountains of thanksgtving-doubl trebly
dear in our own country, where the giant
of war has crushed SO many vlgor-
Gus plant, leaving barren and blOOd-stained
the once fair field OF his revels. / repeat,
our first, our most earnest prayer, is that your
banner may be saluted by the glad shouts OF
peace till the last syllable of recorded time.
Yet, should the conflict come, remember as
you unfurl il, there's a potent spell worked
in its every fold. With each thread is woven
prayer that your guardian angel will avert
the blow that would trail il in the dust.
This neat and appropriate speech was greet
ed with general applause, and then Captain
X. 7. Duncan received from Miss Etheridge
the nag which was placed in the hands of En-
sign POstOQ,
CAPTAIN DUNCAN's RESPONSE.
After the flag had been given to the ensign,
Captain R. P. Duncan responded to Miss eth
eridge in the following speech:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-It becomes my
pleasing duty as the commanding officer of
accept from your hands, Miss EtheIidge, as
the chosen representative of its fair donors,
this beautiful banner. need not assure you
that we accept it with all the sweetest memo
ries and associations the generous gift in.
spires, to which, permit me to sag, you have
so beautifully and elOquentiy alluded. L am
unable TO express in appropriate language
the full measure of our heartfelt thanks, yet
would be recreant TO the deep emotions which
excite us in common here tonight did not
attempt at least to express the profound graft
tude we feel for this exquisite expression of
their confidence and esteem, as well as our
sincere acknowledgment for the glowing,
graceful and hattering terms in which you
have chosen 10 convey it. If anything could
relume the embers of that once proud, martial
spirit which at one time burned SO brightly,
and gave new luster to the achievements
Of southern VHlOr under Lee and jackson,
but since the tragic close of that proud epic of
war at Appomattox has withered and dropped
under the blistering oppression OF sectional
and wrong, 1t would be in this
proud testimonial we have received tonight
IT, at any time within the brief history of This
we may have felt the promptings
Of a generous pride at Its success, how much
deeper the Sentim ent which now animetes MS
N the object Of this vast assemblage, the pre-
'entation of this beautiful gift, and under the
Sindlins inspiration of your cbaste and
eloquence. This occasion, ladies'
marks the pTOudeSt epoch in the history of
he Chickasaw Guards, and we shall ever |
cherish with grateful recollections the pleas
ng incidents OF this grand event. We have |
eaehed a standpoint in our history from |
which we may retros pect the past and forecast |
he future with q sublime sense OF satisfac-
ion aud pleasure "In sunshine anu in |
torm," without material aid when purse.
trngs were tightly drawn over "glittering |
'agleS," you will remember, gentlemen, how
We struggled to complete and per
ect our organization. But thank heaven,
throughout that night of gloom and despond- |
ncy we were cheered by the approving
miles OF the mothers and daughters Of Men,
IMPOSING ceremonies, with The presence of /
woman TO hallOw and adOrn the scene, we be- |
told this splendid tribute to the victory we |
ave won. To the plumed troop and glitter
ng battalion, whether in peace or war wo- |
nan has ever borne the tribute of her deVo-
ion, white IL is ever the aspiration of the |
rave soldier to hallow his ambition with the
Onndence OF her tender love, kindled, il NAV
e, and frightened by the reflection OF his
wn heroic achievements. Since the time |
7hen mailed knights with loyal hearts and
Ilted lance, espoused the protection OF Wo-
even in the German forests long |
efoTe the christian era, to the battle of Moraf |
here the proudest chiYalry of Burgundy. |
nder Charles the Bold, were shattered !