The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-10-15
Ole GateLLlasa1en.
THE RECENrFLAG FERMENTATION

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THE RECEN FLAG FERMENTATION
Al capitol Square to tho Republican Res
Edton IntOlligenceT.
In last Tuesdays issue Of the Registt
a communication appeared rejecting o.
some of the scenes, incidents and sent
ments connected with the ladies' Repnt
lican flag presentation, which took plac
on Capitol Square the Saturday Afternoon
previous. 1t opens with a lot Of hypocrit
ical gush pretending to deprecate tn
spirit of those gentlemen who were inter
ested in the Gag presentation as orators
The writer INDUCES in the usual stall
criticism in regard 10 references to tn,
war on the part Of Republican speakers
and particularly arraigns the zeal OF on,
gentleman who took part in the presenta
ton. The occasion reminds him OF wa
times, and Of words Of encouragement ad
dressed to those going out in defence o
their country. This sort Of q reminder
constitutes o grave offence In his eyes.
He would have Republican speakers tc
Intimate oil references 10 the, war from
their speeches in reference 10 our glorious
| flag. His tender sensibilities remind III
OF the squeamish gentleman who eliminat
cd the character OF Hamlet from the play
To him, the flag Of our country has no his
tory within the last twenty years thai
should be referred to on public occa
sion. Orators should contine themselves
to the days OF the Revolution, or TO the
war gotten up by the South for the acqui.
sition OF slave territory in Mexico.
connected with the American flag that
should be referred TO. The great war for
the Union, for the suppression Of the
slaveholders' rebellion, and for the en-
franchisement OF 4 ,000, 900 OF Gods poor
children who had been kept under the
heel OF Democratic tyranny in the South
for SO long time, suggests no memories
that should not be contYaband In the
presence OF the sympathizers or the aid.
ers and abettorso Of that rebellion.
The writer turns from the scene at
Capitol Square, go repulsive TO his sen.
sibilities, and seeks appropriate consola.
ton within the sacred precincts OF the
Democratic headquarters at Washington
Hall. There everything Ia lovely, as q
matter OF course. No sound is there TO be
heard that could possibly offend the ten
der sensibillties oil cultivated sympathi-
ger with the Southern side OF the "late un-
plJasantness. There could be witnessed the
play with the character OF the Prince Of
Denmark left out. This is not the
first time in the history OF Washington
Hall in which the American flag and the
scenes and incidents Of the war were es-
teemed contraband. There was memoir
able occasion in the history OF that build.
ing during the late war when that EN-.
blem Of the Nations freedom, and the
glorious cause which 1t typifed during the
great struggle for human rights and pop
ular liberty, was eliminated from the
presence OF an audience. Therefore, the
building was properly chosen In this cam
paign as the headquarters Of party to
which during the war 1t was such rock
Of offence. Instead Of honoring that flag
a few years ago, many OF these sensitive
persons, who have simulated such high
regard for its stars and stripes and for the
Army Blue that Hancock wears, would
have walked around that flag anywhere
displayed In our streets; and 80 far from
voting for Presidential candidate who
followed that flag at Gettysburg, would
have produced from the hidden recesses
Of private closet, or the bottom OF
trunk secteted in the garrett, a miniature
facsimile OF the "Stars and Bars"
But times change and some people change
with them. The old flag asserted itself
with such power in the hands Of the loyal
people Of this country as TO acquire once
more the prestige necessary to command
the homage oil It's enemies. Hence the
new born.zeal with which it is now apos.
trophized by Democratic orators. nAny-
thing 10 beat Grantw And "anything to
elect Hancock p Anything TO get rid
Of the Radicals!!" Even the livery OF
the Dag whose power crushed the South
etn rebellion Is welcomed as the disguise
by which Its followers and supporters
through the war may be overthrown.
Once overthrow, the old flag would have
served its purpose, aud probably then be
folded away In one Of the corners now oc-
cupied by dusty, and, perchance, moth
eaen remnants Of the Stars and Bars.
The writer makes an aasmpt to quote the
immortal Webster's grand oration 70 the
flag Of bis country. Notwithstanding the
bunghng mess he made OF the quotation,
we congratulate him upon the reiefenGe.
Had be and bis friends studied the import
Of that master speech Of which his quota
ton properly quotedi formed the perora-
ton, he would never have subjected HIM
self to the suspicion Of now quoting those
words 90 the mere foil OF q sinister design.
Webster taught the American people TO
love the American flag as the emblem OF
the Stree hearts hope and home;" as the
very antipodes oil the Estates Rights" and
Secession views OF that party which is
Justly responsible for the attempted hn'
initiation and disgrace OF the American
flag during the war; and were Webster
alive to. day and invited to present that
Gag to any organization OF his country.
men, his heart would swell with prouder
emotions, and even loftier patriotism, be-
cause OF the sacred memories OF the last
twenty years connected with 1t; than Of all
the scenes and incidents OF its previous
history. He would warn his countrymen,
as in the memorable speech referred TO, to
ignore the principles OF any party that
holds the pernicious doctrine that there IL
anywhere in the organization OF our Cow
eminent an excuse or pretext for disputinp
The complete supremacy OF that flag over
any emblem OF State sovereignty. And
how could he thus warn them without 9
reference to the ordeal through which oul
country was called to pass because Of the
dangerous principles Of the Democratic
party? Webster was too great q man, anG
TOO great an orator, and too loyal patriot
to eliminate from such speech as hi
would make to-day, a proper tribute t
the grand RECORD which the flag Of ou
country made during the war OF the re
bellion.
Some Of the authors Of Southern school
books have essayed the role assumed b!
the Registers correspondent, since the war
To them, history is not philosophy teach
inc nv eYample. The great war for TIT