Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1878-05-10

Major d. W. FlOwerree, introducing
the speaker, said (: "The Banner will be
received BY one who has served q
tried colder, 9 true citizen, who has
lately made his home among us. In
behalf of our citizens l welcome him
and bid him God speedl ! have the
pleasure Of introducing Major Henry
B. Whitfield"
MAJOR wHlTTIELD's ADDREss.
Fellow.cOmrades Of the Old Guard, Ladies
and Gentlemen:
Listening to the stirring strains Of
this martial music, and In the presence
Of this large audience Of beauty and
manhood, Il had almost escaped me to
say that had been called unexpected
4y and on short notice, to act for my
comrades OF the "Old Guard" in accept.
Ing this beautiful Banner. l have no
apologies 10 make, however, aner the
routine manner Of some public speak
ere, but shall, 90 Q true soldier, step 10
the front in the discharge Of pleasant
duty.
First Of all, on behalf Of our organi-
zstiOn, with feelings such 90 old SOL
diers know how 10 cherish for each
other, we tender our grateful Apprecia.
tion and sincere thanks to our gallant
c0mrade and commander for his gener.
Que liberality. We also desire to thank
our h0noFed friend, the worthy gentle
man who has rendered % this Banner,
forlhe eloquent words and compliment.
ary manner In which he has presented
It. With Q brilliant record as an
officer IN time Of war, and character
worthy Of Imitation in the pursuits Of
peace, we feel Q just pride In accepting
this evidence OF the confidence, the es-
TEEN, and kindly appreciation Of Major
FlOwerree. While we admire the cost
ly material, the taste Of workmanship,
and the beauty Of design, we yet re.
gard in q higher sense the motive that
prompted the gin and beg to give the
assurance that whatever fortune may
belids US in the future, each individual
OF this command pledges himstlt to
see that this emblem Of our union aud
standard Of our organization, shall ever
remain in worthy hands.
AllusiOn has been made, in terms
Of eulogy, to the chleftain Of our South
ern hosts, General Robert E. Lee, A
name dear TO every patriots heart! A
man of exalted patriotism; q General
distinguished beyond any Of his age in
the art OF war; an exemplar of ell that
is noble and worthy OF imitation as q
: citizen in time Of peace; and as the
climax of all, an humble soldier Of th'
I Gross! Grand old Virginia, "lhG
! mother Of States and statesmen" upoT
y whose soil the chief Of the first Eevolu
tion for independence was born, tn
0 immortal Washington, whose mantl
D fell on so worthy q con Of the SAM
2 noble mother, the loved chieftain o
the hOsls who fought In the second
revolution for independence 10 State
t sovereignty, equality of constitutional
rights, the liberty Of self.government-
Robert E. Lee. A name that shall live
90 long as q Southern mother remAint
} TO teach the memory Of great deeds tC
generations yet unborn; so long as The
/ grand old mountains Of his native
State shall lift their heads to kiss the
). passing clouds; and while every
0 Southern river traces its course to The
sea.
Time would fail me, even II the oc.
{ casion justified, 10 tell something Of the
' history of Albert Sidney Johnston, the
renowned Jackson, and scores of Other
great names among the dead, as well
, as the living, whose deeds are fresh in
/ memory.
But, must crave the time 10 speaA
!, briefly Of the history Of The true here
!. Of the aecond war Of Independence. A
n man who had but little Of earthly
G goods to be saved or lost, but was rist
! 10 the love OF bis family, and the qulS
/ of his humble home; man Whe step
1 ped boldly to the front at the call Of BIZ
o country, when the fret tocsin of wa
y was sounded man who endured th'
" weary march, though hungry an(
Q thirsty, and often fainting by the way
y a man whose bed was most frequently
9 the hard, the wet, or the frozen ground
and whose only watchers while he slep
!. we're the stars Of heaven q man whC
+, was always in the front Of the battle
q and the thickest Of the fight, where
e danger and death were scorned, snC
!. glory was to be won; a man Wit
!. made Generals, and gave them nam
Il aud fame; a man whose noble deed
E, are written in lines Of blood, and Il
n whose memory the muse Of history.ant
:, poetry, and song will yet do justice;
u man who is the representative Q
At thousands, and tens Of Thousands
aud hundreds of thousands, VIII
lie buried iu unmarked graves, from
the heights OF Gettysburg, througl
,f every State, to the banks of the Ri
Ie Grande from the Missouri river in. th
/. North. west, over prairies, and hills, II
a valleys, aud by the river side, to th
3. shores Of tho Gulf You will recog
le nize this hero as the PRIVATE soLDIEl
1t OF THE CONFEDERATE ARMYl
of OisuCh are many Of the "Old Guard,
Ie aud numbers Of others here presen
b. tonight. OF those who sleep In death
n Theodore O'Hara, as with the pen o.
D. inspiration, has written:
70 1.-THE mufied drums sad roll mas beat
;" The sOldi, RS last tattoo;
!. No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few,