The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-10-25
Tho Way the Flag of the Coun-
try wuH Kissed ut Richmond,

Richmond WAY Republican, October 9!h.l
The occurrence OF which we write took
place Friday, October G, 1876, and We
have purposely taken three days to de-
liberate upon what we should say in re.
gard to ii, that we may not have to
reproach ourselves with language born
o: the spur Of the moment-not accused
OF undue heat and political spleen.
Friday night last the Richmond Thea.
tire was tlensely filled with a crowd Of
citizens to witness the opening perform
ance OF Madame Brents Female Min.
s.rels. The introduction was Of an order
following the usual custom OF minstrel
performances, the whole troupe occupy
ing the stage, giving an opening chorus,
and continuing with 4 series OF ballads,
choruses, and witticisms by the end men.
The finale was novelty in its way,
1.-THE Flags OF All Nations" being COM
posed Of series OF national songs and
representations illustrating the peculiar.
tiles OF the different people. The first
was "Hail Columbia" received without
demonstration, followed by the French,
German, Spanish, and British national
songs, closing with 1.-THE Star Spangled
Banner" at which the company arose, and
the scene at the back OF the stage opened
and presented to view the Goddess Of
Liberty" mounted on pedestal holding
aIoft the National flag! We hate to de-
scribe the scene that followed, but justice
demands it, and we shall not finch, come
what will. We have been begged and
entreated BY several parties TO say moth
ing about It. The truth must be told,
come what will!
A perfect storm Of Kisses Immediately
greeted the appearance OF the flag, and II
was plainly seen the performers were
perfectly astonished and did not know
whether II was better to hide their heads
in shame or "haul down the flag" and
leave the stage in disgust. We are quite
safe in saying that one!third Of the entire
audience hisSed, but We have no fear Of
contradiction in saying, and positively
assert, that one.fourth Of all who made
any demonstration at all, Missed with a
vengeance and with yehemence. We
were perfectly amazed and thurderstruck
For an instant we were bewildered, and
endeavored, as soon az we could collect
our thoughts, to single out some OF the
shameless rascals, but found il impossi.
bic in the din and uproar to detect any
one we knew. To the credit Of many,
be it said, u determined effort
was made 10 drown out the Kisses
with shouts, yells, whistling and
stamping, and they finally succeeded,
though at times the result seemed
uncertain. There was much noisy dis
satisfaction afterwards, and not few ex.
pressed audibly, 10 us, their disapproba-
ton, making such remarks as these
which we recall: at ia too bad" at
ought not to have been done at this time ;
at will have a bad effect in the North.
ut will be telegraphed all over the coun'
try, and do our party injury" Such re
marks rs these we heard they are about
all we heard,-and itgives us some salts
faction to be able to repeat them.
What have we 10 say TO all this? The
good people OF the South who look upon
The Union as the safeguard Of theil
liberties, and who desire just and hon
est; while loyal and true, administra'
ton Of Government, must cut Rloot from
their present uncertain aud unsafe
moorings, and find anchor and-a harbOI
in the bosom Of the only safe and desery
ing party OF the country. The Democratic
party is too corrupt, too false, loo dt1loya
10 the principles Of our Government Il
correct itself, or carry on an administra
ton wisely and justly. II only hopes tc
regain power, under the false and treach
er0us cry OF "reform," thati it may be thu
better able to pull down and destroy.