The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-05-21
G.. A. r.
FLAG TO BOSWORTH POST BY BOS-
WORTH RELIEF CORPS.
"A Lady's Neat Speech of Presentation.

At the close of the meeting of Bosworth
Post held in the ante-room of G. A. r. Hall
last evening, by invitation of Bosworth Relief
Corps the comrades, wives, families, &C., as
sembled in G. A. R. Hall and seated them
selves at Beautifully spread tables AS soon
as all were seated, the assembly was called to
order by Mrs. S. w. Fletcher, chairman of the
Flag Committee of Bosworth Relief Corps.
Prayer was offered by Conrade Nickerson of
Bosworth Post followed by the serving of the
collation.. Then followed the presentation of
beautiful flag to the Post by Mrs S. w.
Fletcher in the following speech:
Comnsander, officers and Members Of Bos-
| ooorth Post, No. 2, Dept. of Maine, G. A. R.
If any human being dispute the right of an
American woman to talk when, where, and as
long as she pleases, let him here stand and
speak his little piece, or for the space of six
can do and live. We the ladies of Bosworth
Relief Corps-who meet when we like, and
when we do meet, do what we like-claim the
privilege of talking to you little while and
saying Just what we please, and you are ex-
pected to maintain decorous silence, as far as
man can, and listen to what we have to says
Twenty years ago there was sound heard of
rebellious gun firing against United States
fort in Charleston harbor. The U nited States
| did not like that sound, and certain Illinois
f1atboat-man, who had been called to the chair
| of State, called for somebody, anybody, to
lend him such aid as they could in seeing the
! old flag upheld. Some of you heard that sound
and went out there to see Father Abraham
{ safely through his perilous undertaking. Some
| of you did not hear that sound, but Abraham
called again and again-and there is not a man
among you but heard some one of those calls
You went out there, and left US poor women to
take care of our homes and selves. We man
aged the best way we could while you
were out theres recklessy exposing yourselves
or falling out 1--WE don't which) to the shower
| Of shot and she'll, and the no smaller peril of
sickness and death in an unaccustomed eli
mate. What could we women do? Men with
| out women are pretty bad lott women with
out men-but you not ask that question-you
| Just left us. We managed to worry through
the same as you did, and when you returned
home we all acted just as though we were glad
! to see you, and you-but men are never de-
monstrative-so we do not know whether you
were glad to see us not. Not many years
were allowed to pass, after your return, before
you banded together and organized a Post of the
Grand Army, all men, of course, transacting
| all Its business in secret. No doubt there are
great many little incidents transpired while
down South that you didn't care to have your
| wives and sweethearts know about, therefore
you organized a Post swearing by dreadful
oaths, that the first man that lisped sound of
your former goings-on, should be court-mar-
have mysteriously disappeared. We don't
know what has become of them-probably you |
do We women left all alone might possibly |
have secret or two of our own which we |
didn't wish to have leak out, and you organic |
ed Post, that you might keep yourselves post
ed in regard to your own secrets-we after |
time, formed Relief Corps that we might |
have sense of relief-as at our meetings we |
could say and do things which would not be |
common property with our so called lords and |
masters at home. Old times: with their troub- !
les and suspicious are passed, but Post and |
Relief Corps exist the same. In you we recog-
niZe the defenders of our country's honor In |
us you recognize those that have deeper in
terest III you than any other women can posi- |
bly, have. Although we work by different !
methods, we work for the same end In our |
enterprises, assured alwe are that your work is
for the relief of suffering soldiers and their |
families, we have endeavored to show to you |
that our hearts are with you.
Long acquaintance has proven this. SO there |
is no need to dwell upon it. In our most re-
cent enterprise, which has in high degree |
been gratifying to US, we hope will prove |
satisfactory to you. In the name of Bosworth |
Relief Corps present to Bosworth Post No. 2 |
Grand Army of the Republic, this Post flag. |
1t bears upon it the emblem of the seal of our |
State--a State that though smaller in population |
than many of her sister States sent forth more |
than 10000 men to the defence of the Repub- |
iic 1t bears upon it the name of the city of |
our home-a city. we believe, as loyal now as
then. 1t bears upon it the name of your Post, |
consecrating anew the memory of him for 7
whom it was ma med. the true patriot and val
liant soldier that he was. 1t bears upon it the |
name of the Grand Army of the Republic, |
that association of veteran soldiers pledged to
keep green the graves of those who have died
that the nation might live. to aid by its chart
ties the suffering soldiers and their families, to
preserve friendship and loyalty. We give it
not into the hand of those whose devotion to
their country has yet been untried We give
it to those who have learned from the shock of |
battle to stand by their flag. In your marches
bear it with you, side by side with the glorious
n and ctr cOfn
In your meetings unfurl it and let it remain
as long as your Post remains, as a certificate
that Bosworth Relief Corps believes in you
and yoar work. In your hands Commander,
we place it, feeling assured that it will be |
cherished with care and continual reminder |
that Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty are prin-
ciples worthy to live for and worthy to die for:
This banner, woman's offering,
To you high bequest bring,
Trusting you will as soldiers true
Guard well the gift consigned to you,
And ne er by coward act disgrace
Nor sully by dishonors trace.
Gods blessing be upon the flag and the COM
rades OF Bosworth Post
Commander Fitzgerald made an appropriate |
reply. He commenced by announcing that
when called to the chair as Commander he |
was notified by the retiring Post Commander
that the old stand of colors were nearly worn
out in the service. The matter was referred to
the result of their labors. He referred feel
ingy to the labors of the corps, their assistance
in labors which men were unable to undertake,
their invaluable aid in the touching services of
Memorial day, and praised the untiring
and unceasing efforts which the ladies were
ever and always willing to put forth in
aid of Bosworth Post. He closed his remarks
by returning the heartfelt thanks of tho Post
to the ladies for all their assistance and for this
last and most beautiful expression of their APP
probation of thu Post and its work.
The color is of regulation size, viz: six feet
six inches fly and six feet on pike; length of
| pike including spear and ferule, nine feet ten
inches. 1t is made Of blue silk with coat of
arms of Maine in the centre over which is a
scroll with the words "Bosworth Post, No g"
Underneath, also in scroll, is the word "Port-
land" and below that still another scroll, with
"Grand Army of the Republic the whole en-
circled by stars-one for every State in the
Union. The outer edge is trimmed with vel
low silk fringe and pendant from top of the
staff is blue and white silk cord and tassels.
On the pike or staff is a silver plate bearing
the following inscription
| Presented to
| Bosworth Post
No. 2,
| Department of Maine,
| G. A. R.
BY Bosworth Relief Corps No. /,
May Goth. 1881,
| Portland, Me-
The flag and fittings cost about $3.50, and
were purchased by the Corps from receipts of
sociables given the past season.
Past Department Commander W. B. Smith
was called up and entertained the assembly
with a few of his ever welcome words of hope
and encouragement, and complmented the
ladies of the Corps. He alluded to the tribu-
lations in the formation of the Corps
The exercises after the supper consisted of
singing, readings, and remarks by the cont
rades of the Post and by Mr.. Ames, aide-de-
camp, department of Massachusetts. 1t was
very pleasant party and all went home feel
ing that the Relief Corps was a great success.
Thus closed one of the most successful en-
tertainments and enterprises ever managed by
Bosworth Relief Corps, for which they deserve
| and receive the tn ankS of eye1y member of