Daily globe., 1882-09-29
brass band and the National Ghard's drum
crops: Company G, 43 men, Company d
40 men, and Company E, 80 men.
The battalion formed into line and
took up the line of march in
the following order:
Great Western Band.
Drum Corps.
Company E.
Company d.
Company A.
Company B.
Company G.


They marched up Washington avenue to
Hennepin, thence to Sixth street, down
Sixth street to Nicollet to Tenth
street, and down Tenth
street to Fourth avenue south, and upon
Synder's block. Col. Bend, of st. Paul,
was in command.
The donor and a number of prominent
gentlemen, including the mayor, followed
the procession in carriages. One Of the most
conspicuous features of the pageantry
was R. F. Jones' four-in-hand greyhound
English style. In his carriage were seated
Gen. Hawley and family, while Jones him
self oficiated as driver.
The streets along the line of march were
crowded by pedestrians assembled to wit
ness the ''sights."
THE PRESENTATION.
At the park the companies were again
drawn up in line and few military ma
neuvers were executed, and Col. Bend an
nounced their readiness. Mr.. Washburn
stepped to the front of the platform and
spoke as follows:
Col. Bend: I was not aware until my
return from Washington, a few weeks
since, of the fact that so efficient steps
had been taken for the organization of a
battalion of militia under our state laws.
Much less did comprehend that in the
few short months of my absence we'll
drilled, well disciplined and well ordered
battalion of citizen soldiers had been
placed on so soldierly and permanent a
basis. My first impulse on learning the
facts was to do something in my humble
way as recognition of what I regard as
very desirable movement, and to offer
some slight encouragement to the young
men and soldiers who have so creditably
associated themselves together for this
purpose.
A friend suggested that he had no doubt
the presentation of stand of colors at this
time would be especially acceptable and
highly appreciated. Acting upon this sug-
gestion, I now do myself both the honor
| and pleasure of presenting to the First
battalion of Minnesota through you, colo
mel, this stand of colors. And do this, I
believe, with full understanding and ap
probation of the service you are rendering
to our communities and state.
Our government to-day prides itself as
being one of the great powers of the
earth; and the time is not far away when,
in my opinion, it will be recognized as the
great power Of the world. Unlike the
other great powers, we have no great
standing army, eating out the sub
stance of the land and expressing its peo-
pie. And we need none, certainly, in the
| light of past experience, so long as we
encourage and maintain organizations OF
citizen soldiery such as / see before me.
notice in your ranks many of the brave
! boys who bore themselves so gallantly and
so well through the war of the rebellion
| This fact, coupled with the soldierly ap-
pearance and bearing of the companies
that constitute your battalion, furnishes a
sufficient assurance that these colors will
never trail in the dust
Colonel, wishing yourself and the brave
men under you hearty God-speed in the
| work so well begun, now place in your
hand this stand of colors.
COL. BENDS RESPONSE.
Col. Bend responded substantially as
| follows:
| Mr.. WAsHBURN: On behalf of the First
Battalion, National Guards of Minnesota
will tender you our thanks for the beau
| tiful donation you have made us. The
words you have just uttered, permit me to
assure you, will instil US with that
sense of patriotism that should we be
called upon in the hour of peril,
by our country, we will rally around these
colors to a man and defend them with our
lives.
At the conclusion of these exercises, the
color guard and standard bearers were
ordered forward. The colors were unfurled
and placed into their hands, and
after they had again taken
their position in the ranks, and selec-
ton had been played by the band march
was again taken up for the depot, and the
st. Paul companies departed upon the 4
o'clock train for their homes. The Min
neapolis companies accompanied them
and participated in the ceremonies of lay
ing the corner stone of the new armory in
st. Paul, returning in the evening.