Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-01
THE MILITARY MEN.
GOVERNOR CAMERoNS ADDRESS
First Virginia Regiment Presented with the
United States CoIors = Colonel Andersen
Presents Lientcnant Colonel Stern with
NWord

'"s' fHtiHta KfGiMent tffseuteu WIN tns
United States CoIors = Colonel Andersen
| Presents Lientcnaut- Colonel Stern with
Sword.
IL was well known yesterday evening
that there w7re TO be exercises OF q very
important and entertaining character Mt the
Armory OF the First Virginia regiment.
The Governor OF Virginia. In the name OF
the Commonwealth. had determined TO pre-
sent the First Virginia regiment OF vol
unieer infantry with stand OF United
States colors. and the officers Of that regl-
ment had agreed at the same time to pre-
sent L,eutenant-Co 10. Lane Stern,
now lnspeotor-General OF Virginia mill
iary, with magnificent sword aud belt as
atestim0nial Of the esteem In which his old
comi1dfs in arms hold him.
The ArmOry was thrown open 10 the pub
lc wtile these ceremonies were going on,
and while the gallery Is not in finished
conclll0n. u was near enough so 10 allow IT.
occupancy, ana WIS soon filled With ladies
and gentlemen. Those failing 10 tind ac-
commodaiion in the gallery were given
seats along the northern side OF the Armory.
Major James ID. Patton went down TO
the Executive mansion and returned with
Governor William 4. Cameron. who had
arisen fl0m sick bed to be present.
a full turnout OF the regiment, under the
command OF Colonel Charles j. Anderson,
awaited the presence OF tho Governor in
Tie large drill-room, forming on three sides
Of The same.
The Governor was escorted TO a DOsition
near the centre OF the northern side OF the
room, and as soon a. he took his stand the
cGor-sergeant Of the regiment advanced
and handed the beautiful stand OF United
States colors TO Governor Cameron.
TIE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Governor Cameron took the c1lors q d
said:
Colonel Anderson, Officers and Soldiers
OF the First Virginia Regiment.-ll mis-
sion here tonight l. to present TO you, on
behalf Of the State OF Virginia. stand OF
United States colors. In few weeks you
will be furnished from the same source
flag bearing the insignia of Virginia. These
are the first results OF policy which have
earnestly advocated both before and since
being Governor Of Nireinia-yiz., "a recog-
milton on The part Of the state OF debt which
she owes her citizen sOldery-a debt for
years shameiully neglected. You have been
compelled. for everything except the arms
and ammunition, TO depend upon your in
dividual resources, and vet there has never
| been any hesitation 20 call Tor your service.
whenever needed, and they have always
been cheerfully and patiently given.
hope a new era i dawning in this spect,
and certainly 70 effort Of mine shalt be
spared to advance yollr interests.
The State OF Virginia has history en-
blazoned with cha DterS OF martial glory.
! She furnished 10 ;1ls country,
while yet our hearts and aims were one,'
a Washington who achieved American in
! dependence, and a Scott who defended 1t
| egainst the same foreign invader.
And in the unhappy time OF civil strife,
| which we remember with so mush OF min
! glod pride aud sorrow. the old Common
wealth came TO the front again with lead
( crs w0rthy Of her ancient renOwn and men
worthy Of such leadership as that
/ Of lee. Jackson, Stuart, and Hill.
Your regiment. fcllOw-sOldicr.. il the
namcsake Of and full inheritor under an
organization which wrote some OF the
! brightest pages Of those chapters: which
! performed deeds that riyallcd the heroism
! Of Sidney and the headlOng yalor OF Bay
| ard: winch formed a Steadfast part OF that
! deathless column OF "tattered uniforms and
| shiny muskcts" which constituted Lees
! infantry. ana which General Pope declared
| 10 be "ihe finest niartry OF modern times" /:
| IN organization which returned TO Rich
m0nd when the dire conflict ended,
with empty ranks, alas, but full Of hon
! ors--with record OF duty well performed
| even in the face OF inevitable defeat
record which forced from your gallant op-
/ ponent a verdict in favor OF your honesty
oi conviction. loyalty Of heart, and bril-
liant Soldiership.
The last time | entered this hall it was
crowded with cX-Federal and eN-COnfede-
rate soldieFs-mcn from the Grand Army
Of the Republic and fiom the Lee and
.Jackson Camps. striving with each other
in noble rivalry who should do most to
provide a home for the broken lives aud
fortunes Of disabled southern veterans.
God bless the generous hearts who came
70 give the balm oi fellowship 10 our
wounds and the hand OF cOmradeshp
10 our wounded God help the man on
our ide who cannot rcciprOcate this spirit
rCLcersl. Who cannot cherish all that Is
worth preserving OF the past, without
seeking 10 pcrpetuate it, passions and re-
sentiments! ! Among American soldiers, at
least. there should exist the pride OF mll-
tlial achievements. the acknowledgment OF
an cqnal honesty Of purpose. and chlyaric
resolve 10 trust each other In the present
and be co-laborers in the future, for the
land and the liberty for which all have
made such sacrifices.
Now, Colonel Anderson. | tender this
flag to your regiment in the name OF that
Commonwealth whose 'oldiers and citizens
YOU Sre--OldieTs when OH duty; citizens
always. express - YOU confidence OF the
State and Of the cOmmandcr-in-chie that
the trust so rcposed will be faithfully
guarded.
When you are marching under is folds,
fcllow-SOldcr>, having also the flag OF Nir-
iuii floating above your columns. remem-
her that both standards represent glories
in our past and our safety and defence in
the day. that are to come. Remember. in
the language oi our Nre inia poet at York
town,
AIN Tie safety Of the Union
l. The safety o. The staie-.'
and look on them both with loyalty and al
icc,ion.
/ deliver it to your keeping [handng
! mn the fl9gl nov. Colonel, this 'Stlr
s.nglcd banner Twas the flag OF our
fathers; ii, the flag Of our common coun-
try.
--" ON. long may it wave
Ger the land Of the free and the home brave.
The speech Of the Governor was fire.
qucntly Interrupted by applause, and Was
highly complmenled by all.
Colonel CHARLES J. Anderson accepted
the coors in a patriotic and eloquent
speech.
SWORD PRESENTATION.
At the close OF these remark' Colonel
Anderson. on behalf OF the officer. OF the
Fist regiment. presented Colonel JO. Lane
Stern with a handsome sword and belt
Colonel Anderson's remarks were cordial
and feeling and very appropriate.
Colonel Stern responded in speech OF
few minutes that so exactly filed the bill
that nothing was left unsaid.
After these ceremonies the officers en-
loved a collation. in the officers room.
IA WI ESTLlR A VI II(IAITE.