Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-19
TnR JAspERs IN CHARLESTON.
The Parade on the I7th-RoyE They
Are Treafed-Pleasant Incidents
GEN. Jaekson's Speech.

n,
from which we take the following concern
ing the celebration in which the Jaspers OF
Savannah participated, 1t was worse. The
rain commenced falling on Wednesday even
ing and continued through the night. Says
the Aers and Courier Of the 18Th:
soMBRE DAY.
Under these circumstances the chagrln
was deep and widespread when good
Charlestonians were awakened yesterday
morning by the pattering OF the rain upon
the house tops, and the FLASHING Of the
water In the puddles In the street. Is was
in all respects a miserable, disagreeable,
disgusting day, but not bad enough to ex-
tinguish the ardor of those who were re-
solved to celebrate it well. The flags that
were hoisted in various parts Of the city
hung wet and limp on the fagstaffs The
palmetto tree on the State flag at the Main
Stationhouse actually looked blue in har-
mony with the weather, while umbrellas,
wsterproofs and oYershoes were In general
demand.
THE SAVANNAH SOLDIERS
were undaunted. They came promptly to
the front, and despite the heavy showers
were In the ranks when the drums sound ed
the signal to fall in. At S O'Clock precisely
a detachment of the Montgomery Guards
were st the Pavilion Hotel to escort their
guests, the Jasper Greens, TO the rendezvous.
The Jaspers were ready for the march, and
the two companies, preceded by the drum
corps of the Jaspers and the st. Patrick's
Helicon Band, marched through the rain to
the srmorY of the Guards at the corner of
Calhoun and King streets. Captain Elan
merry, the commander OF the Jaspers, was
confined to his room by a slight but painful
nv a
ingly left under the command Of Lieutenant
McGrsth.
The Jaspers are a fne body Of men,
splendidly uniformed, well drilled, and above
all Of remarkably good personal appearance
Their uniform is OF gray, trimmed with gold
ard green, epaulettes of green aud IL hit
buff and black beaver kepies surmou nted
with white plume. The visiting detaeh-
ment consists Of forty seven rank and file,
and accompanied By the fish Jasper Greens
drum corps, composed of seven colored
musicians handsomely uniformed.
AT THE ARMoRY.
The armory of the Montgomery Guards
had been decorated especially for the occa-
sion, and when the troops filed IN Yesterday
morning it presented pic .uresque appear
snce. A picture painted by member of
the corps, and placed on the west wall, rep
resented the battle of Fort Moultrie, with
Sergeant Jasper mailing the flag to the
sponge staff, and his historic words: Don't
let us fight without flag" Large wreaths
OF eVergreens bearing the monograms, "I.
j. g." and an. g." were suspended on the
walls, and the national eolors Of Ireland
and America were entwined in fraternal
folds. Over the entrance in Calhoun street
was an Illuminated transparency, with the
motto: "Welcome Jaspers."
Upon the arrival at the armory it was
found that the Montgomerys had prepare d
a button hole bouquet for each one of their
guests. These were used, however, as mus
muzzle bouquets, while the soldiers
were all decorated with a handsome souve-
Dir badge of silk appropriately inscribed.
Before going out in the rain
AN INCIDENT
occurred which was not down on the pro-
gramme, but which was very happy and well
timed. This was the presentation by the
Guards to their guests of a handsome and
massive gold medal as a memento of their
visit. The medal is made in the shane of
an Irish cross with a target in the centre.
1t hangs from two crossed rifles by a green
satin ribbon to which is attached gold harp
with the motto "Erin go bragh." Upon the
reverse Of the medal is the inscription
montgomery Guards of Charleston, s. c. /,
to the Irish Jasper Greens of Savannah, Ga,
Charleston, March 18th, 1881"
The presentation was gracefully and hap
PLY made in behalf of the Guards by Lieut..
I. j. Kennedy, and was received by Lieut..
James McGrath OF the Greens for whom an
eloquent response Was made by Private
O'Connor, the orator of the command.
THE BANQUET.
We published yesterday brief account
of the banquet given by the Montgomerys
to the Jaspers on Thursday night, together
with TIE toaats. We extract the following
from the NelcS and C0urieT'S account of the
banquet, when the fourth toast "our guests'
welcome, thrice welcome are the greetings
OF Montgomery" to "Jasper"-Wa3 an
nounced:
Captain Flannery, of the Irish Jasper
Greens, who had been expected to respond
to this sentiment, was so unwell that he
requested that he might be allowed to ask
one to respond In his stead who was one of
Georgia's foremost sons and patriotsv-one
who was peculiarly fitted for the task by
being the sole survivor OF the original
founder of the Jasper Greens. He called
upon
GEN. HENRY R. JACKSON
to respond. General jackson arose amid
great applause and his response was a
mastery piece of eloQdence Never did q
speaker, he said, have q theme more in
viting than that which decorated this toast
He opened with a beautiful tribute to the
memories of Montgomery and Jasper, the
one the proud officer whose blood was shed
for the cause of liberty amid the SHOWS of
Quebec, and the other the humble soldier
whose blood was as freely poured out in the
same cause upon the yellow sands of Savan-
nah. The present occasion, linking as it
did these two great names together, was
one which stirred up worlds of thought and
proud memories.
He spoke of the peculiar exception that
Ireland was among the nations, whose sons
were endowed with the spirit OF liberty and
nationality. Ireland had had her birth and
her youth, but she had never had her full
development, and her mission was still to
be fulfilled. In vain had British power
undertaken to destroy her nationality.
Vainly had British statesmen, in their
hearts and legislation, said to Irish blood as
representing Irish nation atty: Cut, damn
ed spot" it will not outi Irish blood will
not out at their bidding! Where was there
an lr1shman-where was there a
man who had a sprinkling Of Irish
blood in his heart-who has not felt it
In his veins as the cries of an agonized peo-
pie under the iron heel of oppression have
been borne by the eastern breeze across the
Atlantic wave? English power had driven
VIC SCho Va AtSA1h0 AlOAAl lduQ VI bnCA
nativity: but wherever an Irishman went
she root Of that spirit of nationality Inn
planted itself. English power had planted
those roots ali over the world. Frost might
blacken the leaves and the lightning scar
the trunk, but the roots sank deeper into the
soil and took fresh root In the sympathy of
the human soul.
The Irish people presented the single in
stance In the world of people who, where
ever they were found, were absolutely de-
voted to the land Of their adoption and at
the same time absolutely loyal to the land
of their birth. It was hardly necessary to
cite the long line of distinguished illustra-
lions. Montgomery, the hero of Quebec,
Jasper, the hero of MoulJrie, and jackson,
the hero Of New Orleans, were names that
shone brightly on the pages of American
history.
Turning to Capt. Redding, Gen. jackson
then, in gFaseful terms, on behalf of the
Jasper Greens, presented to the Montgom-
cry Guards 8 very handsome silver service,
which the Jaspers had brought with them
from Savannah, as token of their friend
ship and esteem.
Capt. Redding received the beautiful
gift with appropriate thanks.
At the close of his remarks three hearty
cheers were given for Gen. jackson and the
Irish Jasper Greens.
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