The daily gazette., 1880-06-26
The Noxt President.
WHAT HE SAID IN WILMINGTON IN
r.. THE SPRING OF 1878.

THE SPRING OF 1878.
General Hancock, the Democratic
nominee for President, is no stranger
in this city. He spoke at the Opera
House, and was afterwards rendered
a complimentary banquet at the Clay
ton House, on the evening of Tuesday,
April %, 1873, on the occasion of the
presentation Of the battle flags of the
Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth
Delaware Regiments 10 the Historical
30 iety of Delaware. General Han
cock, on behalf of the Regiments,
made the presentation speech, and his
appearance was greeted with the
widest demonstrations of applause.
He also responded to toast at the
banquet. His presentation speech was
as follows
"MR. PRESIDENT When | look
upon these tattered banners, so gal
lantly borne by the regiments Of this
State through the bloodiest battles of
our great war, feel very keenly that
lack of eloquence which would enable
me to fifty express my own emotions,
or to portray to this audience the host
of glorious memories which they call
forth, and which shall cling to them SC
long as the story of chivalrous cour.
age and duty nobly done shall find a
place in the records of our nation.
These fla were borne to the battle
field by men moved by the highest
motives of patriotism-by the truesl
love of country. They fought not fol
gain-not for conquest, not for mill
tary record or renOwn, but for the in
tegrity of the Union of these United
States-the maintenance and suprema
cy of the laws and the Constitution
and the existence of the Republic as {
great and honored power among thu
nations of the earth.
Animated by these high purposes, the.
abandoned their peaceful pursuits, ant
and leaving all that was most dear il
life, cheerfully encountered the toll
privations and dangers of war.
A vast number did not live to see tn
end of the prolonged stiife, but tn
honored graves of these attest thei
fidelity TO their country in her time U
need.
Many others, some of whom are nov
hit, llOul hOiu
stricken from the field, stricken an
MANNED by wounds which tell NOR
forcibly than works Of the manner i
which they performed their parts i
battle, and here may state that durin
the war IL was my fortune TO cOmman
a portion of the Delaware troops, and
therefore speak from personal know
ledge, when | say that their soldierl
conduct and intrepid haring reflected til
, highest honor upon their State,a as well o
upon our whole country.
: MANY distinguished soldiers of Dels
ware fell during the war, aud the hero
, deeds of some of them are well know
, to me from personal observation, as the
served in my command. should lik
to record here the names Of those gallaI
dead, but as cannot, from lack of a,
curate data, do this In reference to reg
men,s not commanded by me, preie
to specify none by name, lest | shoul
omit some who could not justly b
omitted from such list.
These and many others like then
living and dead, were soldiers of th
sternest valor, patriots Of the bighes
type-wlose names and fame, renal
legaeies of glory and honor to the gal!ar
State which sent them forth to represer
, her hen her best aud bravest wei
called TO the front.
1t is understood that in ONE inst anct
these flags were received by the Del
!, ware troops from the hands of the ia
ladies of the State, which fact aloI
would be powerful incentive to thos
chivalrous men to bear them defiant
, where the fire was NOTES.-THE conte
f most deadly--to protect them with the
lives, and to return them proudly I
State, with the consciousness that, wa
,, stained, faded, and torn, as they ar
they would he treasured among her mo
/ precious possessions.
To the keeping OF the Historical 81
. ciety of the State of Delaware, al
} now instructed to confide them as
proper custodian, feeling well assure
that they will be preserved with jealol
care, and that in long years hence, whe
all now present may have passed ava.
+ these hOnored banners will, by tn
=, glorious memories and deeds they syn
bolize, incite coming generations-shoul
our eouRtry again be inperiled by wal
,, 10 emulate the actions of the men VIII
/, bore them through the great struggle tbs
: called them forth.
, When General Hancock had finishe
, speaking, j. Parke Postles arose in th
! audience and proposed three cheers I,
c that officer. They were very loudl
given.