The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-03-18
PRICE, FIVE CENTS.

only the recollection of their common
motherhood. With voice and eye. and
the kindly pressure OF hand. give as.
surance to the world that however the
sons OF the Gem of the Sea" vary i'm
their mode of alteration to the one All
rather, they turn us II with one soul to
the falrest land of his creation, and are
one Iii their devotion to dear old Ireland.
Io-Gay, In every land and i'm every
cline, or wherever the children OF st.
Patrick greet the God of day, or where
oppression has its home, or the men of
freedom not driven it thence, there are
hearts that recall with pride the glories
OF centuries when Ireland. as q nation.
flung her sun-burst banner to the
breeze, and dimmed the eyes OF her
enemies. or when the Finn and the
Dane He'd from it's brightness, and even
the latter day enemy, quailed, faltered
ana scattered before the bands that
fought and were victors, with this
grand old ensign for their battle flag.
Gentlemen Of the Mitchell Rifles, into
your hands and to your honor we bestow
tne Keeping OF this time venerated en-
sign. 1t Is counterpart of the banner
winch the renowned Brian Boru bore
triumphantly through seventy five bat
tles.a nag whose folds were never
trailed in dishonor though furled in de-
feat. 1t Is the banner OF the Irish MA.
ton, our cOuntry's flag, and well Wa
know, we daughters of ireland. or of
hfshnlen, that into safer, more VALIANT.
more patriotic, or more worthy hands
thls heaven blessed banner of heaven
cotild not nave been committed. We
give 1t to you rs the nun gives her life
to God or the maiden her heart to the
Keeping Of her lover, gratefully. for
we feel honored by your acceptance
of our gift. proudly, for we
trust you fully, fondly, and un-
reservedly, knowing that among your
ranks are to be found men as valiant as
Brian Boru, the O'Donnels or the
ONeils, equally as eloquent Us Emmett.
or as witty and reckless as O'Connel,
When Ireland's foes are your oppo-
nents, and Ireland's cause your aim.
that you and all brave and patriotic
men will follow the sunburst to the
death, as did Allen, Larkin, O'Brien, or
John Mitchell, on whose grave the tenr
dew drops OF "a nation still glisten with
the light of heaven. 80
Oh Sunbprst! freands ancient nag.
~ CO forth with prayers. a token
That still 10 Erin's primrose sod
We turn our faith uuliroken
Her children are the same to-day
AS in the distant ages
When scholars wrote fair "Inisfail"
Birthplace of saints and stages
And when historic future lines
shall tell OF deeds inspiring, #
In words that speak from hoart to heart
The soul with great deeds firing
Among the men who dwelt with PRIDE
Though long they may have slumbered
The members Of the Mitchell Rifles
With honor will be numbered .... ...F
Ihe following response was made by
Capt. M. Cooney: rr
Mss Forester and Ladies Of Al0ieys
l n the name and on behalf OF the
Rifles, I thank you for your
beautiful present, the value of which is
enhanced by the patriotic and noble
with which it is accom-
panied; Many centuries ago, when
Ireland held its rightful place amongst
the nations, her warlike sons were wont,
10 go forth to distant lands In search Of
adventure. On such occasions the
ladies' of that day presented them
with sashes, scarfs, etc, which
we're religiously preserved, and
'erved to remind the wearer Of
ais knightly vows to assist the
weak and friendless and fight
o the death In defense of woman's
lonor. This historic battle flag which
IOu give us will ever remind us that one
ilial duty remains unfulfilled. suffer-
ng mother lies in chains and bleeding at
he feet OF her oppressor; she raises her
nanacled hands In vain appeal for re-
lress, and despairingly turns from the
IMPLYING gaze of the tyrant to look for
id from her exiled Sons. Shall the ap-
zeal be made in vain? No. The age OF
Rivalry is passed it is true, but there is
till sufficient parental love left in the
reasts OF the exiled Irish TO cause them
o rally to the rescue. The great Archi-
ect Of the Universe has given unto our
ace two great gifts, t. martial spirit
nd OratOrical powers. We have used
he first in fighting the battles OF every
alton but our own, while we left our
Oor mOtherland to be defended by sill
er-tOngued orators And there is some
mong u3 even to-day who say the
ongue Is mightier than the sword, and
ant us to fight it out ON that line for
ONE time longer | believe, also, that
be tongue is mightier than the sword;
ut 1t IS tongues OF flame that issue
rom the tubes OF those rifles yonder.
es, the only voice that will be heard to
dW.ntage in the Irish cause must pro-
eed from the throat OF breech leaders
] the hands Of the boys in green. One
undred years ago the ladies' of this
md employed their fair hands in work
Ig that starry emblem there for the
ons of American liberty, who rallied
nder its folds until they made it the
tandard Of free nation.
we dCctpI tniS nag LueH, NOT rs an
for holiday show, but in the
ope that the day isnot far distant when
shall be carried as Brian did OF yore in
victory over the invaders
nd oppressors of Green Erin, when It's
unlike effulgcnce shall gladden. the
yes Of the sons Of Irish liberty, and its
reen folds be kissed in freedom by the
reezes that sweep Ot1' native hills.
Now, then, Sergeant, into your charge
deliver this sacred trust, place it be
de its starry sister, preserve 1t as the
pple Of your eye, which | know you
ILL., as also know you would not hest
lte to plant it on the hill of Tara il the
[itchel boys were at your back. ft
RERALDRY.