The National tribune., 1882-10-05
THE OLD FLAG.
Presentation of an Historic Flag to Steele Post,
q. A. II.

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| Nearly quarter of a centuary since the cry
Sumter has fallen" startled the country. st
that time, in the village Of Carthage, jefferson
county, n. Y, several citizens of foreign birth,
natives of the Emerald Isle, were assembled in
a store, discussing the critical state OF the Ma
/ tion. One, who was noted for discussing ma
tiOnal affairs, was silent. One of his comrades
accostcd him, and said: I" O'Leary, what are you
! studying up nOw?" He, in reply, stood up and
said: "Before eight o'clock tomorrow morn
ing there will be unfurled to the breeze of
heaven the Star Spangled Banner!" He cried
out, "Sumter fallen, and no flag up in this
town." He called on one of the company and
said: "Come, help me get a flag; am going
to have one made tonight" He next went to
store, bought the material for flag nine feet
long, had it cut out, went to the residence of
loyal lady, who had others to assist her. They
worked all night, and it was finished. In the
morning it was fastened to q staff. 4 boy, with
drum, was engaged. At early morning the
citizens were startled by the sound of the
drum. At first it was followed by a few boys,
but when the cause became known the crowd in
creased, composed of men, women and children,
marched through the streets until they halted
at the steps of the Catholic Church. The flag
was then fastened to the steeple of the church.
Mr.. O'LcGry, who started and put the whole
affair in motion, was then called on for q
speech lie commenced by pointing to the
Cross, and said: "There is the Cross, the emblem
of mans salvation; there, we can see the stars
and stripes the sign and emblem of a Nations
redemption, and the only hope left to this
country and the children of the Green Isle"
That flag has been preserved for more than
twenty years by Mr.. O'Leary, until at a recent
meeting of Steele Post, No. $50, Department of
NV York, G. 4. r., Mr.. O'Leary, just before
the opening of the Post, came in and, in
words appropriate to the occasion, presented
the old flag To the members of the Post, say
ing that he had always thought he would like
TO give it to some society Of men who would
appreciate it, and see that the number of its
stars never grow less that he felt happy in
his old age to enjoy the privilege of presenting
the first flag raised in this part of the county
to the men who faced death on the battlefield
to save the Union in its hour of danger. He
had no fear in leaving it in their hands, as he
felt confident the men who had saved it and
its honor once, would protect it in the future,
should occasion require it, assuring them they
would always find the Irishmen ready to up
hold the emblem of constitutional liberty,
the flag whose folds have protected their people,
Henry Clay said: the Irish are bone of our
bone and flesh of our flesh Their hearts
blood flowed for the Union on many hard
fought battlefield" To which Mr. O'Leary re-
ceived, in reply, the assurance that the old
flag was received with great pleasure and
pride, and that it should be protected and
preserved as a choice memento of the time that
tried mems souls, and in remembrance of the
spirit of loyalty which animated the Irish
people in the hour of trial and danger. After
many hearty thanks and congratulations from
the comrades, Mr. OLeary withdrew, after
which the Post proceeded with its regular
order of business.