The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-02-23
The CELEBRATION.
The Day Periodically Remembered
Public and Private Buildings
Gorgeously Decorated In Honor OF

the OccAffOu-Gkan0 fara0e-Cane
Presentation TO Captain Sterling,
OF the GoR Guards-speech- max.
log and Congratulatory Remarks
Two Grand Military Balls Close
the Days Celebration.
Yesterday was the one hundred and
forty-third birthday OF Washington,
who, in his life, was "hrst In war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his coun.
trymen.' The day was MEM
orable one. It's all over now,
except humber OF headaches
and infamed eyes. We've performed
our annual devotions; we've enjoyed
ourselves hugely as per ancient custom,
and are now at liberty to settle down for
another year of it. In fact, all the sem
sations which have followed the snniver-
sary times without number exist, and
will doubtless result as they have from
time immemorisl.
What sort of day was it? Pretty
gloomy and muddy. Not favorable TO
much patriotism OF any kind, but not
sufficiently miserable to crush the patri-
otto spirit of the Wheeling people, which
can rise triumphantly against ever so
much gloom in theatmosphere.
The day began early, as most days
generally do; but it would have to dawn
much earlier 10 get ahead OF some of the
soldier boys who were up before day
light and dressed for the parade, which
was begun at 2:30 o'clock, by the mill
tsry, who met in dress parade on the
Capital Square, and formed for the diss.
greeable march.
ORDER OF FORMATION.
The following is the order in which
the companies formed: Schmulbsch Zou-
ayes on the right, Cot Guards right of
centre, Lindsey Institute Cadets left OF
centre, and the Mathew Light Guards on
the lett. The Camden Zousves of
Moundsville, joined with the Schmul-
back Zouaves.
The line OF march was then taken up
with the Wheeling City Band at the
head of the column, followed in regular
order by the Schmulbsch Zousves, Cam
den Zouaves, Golf Guards, Lindsey In
stilute Cadets, Mathew Light Guards
ard two Calling guns, well manned.
ROUTE OF MARCH.
From the capitol square to Sixteenth,
street, down. Sixteenth TO Market, up Mar
ket TO Tenth, down Tenth to Main,
up Main to Seventh where the companies
turned and marched down Main TO
Twelfth, up Twelfth to Market, down
Market to Sixteenth, up Sixteenth to
Capitol Square, where the companies
ngled off. The Zousves and Mathews
Light Guards marched to their armory
in Fran zheim's Hall on Main street
where they were released, and the Cot
Guards to their srmory at the Second
ward market house, where Judge Coch-
ran, in behalf OF the company, presented
Captain Sterling of the Golf Guards with
very handsome gold-hesded, ebony
cane, which has on tire head this inscrlp-
ton: presented to Captain Hugh Ster-
ling by the Gotf Light Guards, February
%, 1878"
PRESENTATION SPEECH,
Of Judge X. II. Cochran. Capt. Sterling:
In behalf of the officers and members of
the company you command, am direct
ed to say, that believing in times of dam
ger, your sure reliance Is on your own
good sword and the fidelity and conf
dence OF your command. AS a testimony
of the respect and confidence they enter
tain Tor you and as support in the de-
cline OF years, when wars aud siarmes OF
wars will not call you to active duty,
they present to you this cane, there he
handed the cane to the Csptsln) and beg
you to accept it as slight token of their
respect.
CAPTAIN sTERLIEG's RESPONSE.
JUDGE COCHRAN AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE GoFF LlGHT GUARDs:-Thls is an
occasion of great surprise to me, for GER
tsinly had not the remOtest idea OF any
of this kind. Certainly it is sn honor of
which feel very unworthy, for to Lieut..
Otto not TO me is due the proficiency you
have attained in drill and discipline.
When called upon TO take command OF
the company | at first declined for
reasons which appeared satisfactory both
to myself and the committee. How
ever, the request was afterwards made so
strong that l at last consented, though re-
luctsntly, and assumed the first office in
your gift. l feel that have not done
complete justice to the company, and had
it not been for the faithful manner in
when your two junior officers, Lieuts. Otto
and Meyer, have attended TO the affairs
of the company. Your display to-day
might not hsve been so creditable as it
has been. am proud, however, to say
that command company Of men
whose hearts are so earnest in every
thing that tends to the sdvanc sment not
only OF their military but social rels.
tions. Although the day was very un-
propitlous for parade, owing TO the
muddy condition OF the streets and rain,
yet every member showed himself to be
indeed true soldier, by obeying the
commands of his superior officers In ev-
cry order that was given. And if you
ali feel as good over this days proceedt
ings as l do, certainly there is no regret
at our having appeared in public.
Thanking you all for this token, l am, as
ever, your commanding officer.
After Captain Sterling had finished
his speech, Judge Cochran then stepped
forward and made the following very
complimentary speech to the company
and officers:
COEGRATULAToRY.
Gentlemen Of the GuGrds:-Allow me
q word of congrstulstion. After my ex-
perience in active duty as soldier, l bad
that the time had passed when
would. TO any great degree, enthuse in
the sight of marching bodies of men;
but today when saw the fine bodies of
men parading the streets, l felt the old
time enthusiasm, and found myself
drifting with the balance OF the boys |
watching your marching and evelutlons.
the appearance you presented to-day
in marching, wheeling, the knowledge |
and skill you evinced in the evolutions
and manual, you won golden
opinions. l heard these things remarked |
by scores of observers, who telt a locsl |
pride that our city could boast 50 fine q
body Of men.
l particularly heard your First Lieu
tenant Otto, whose great modesty Is not !