Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-09-06

Presentation Of a FIag.-Odd Eel.
lows Opera House was well filed Fri
day evening Of last week by an audi
ence called to witness the formal pre-
sentation Of banner by number Of
Frostburg ladies to Thoburn Post, No.
81, G. A. R. DR.. ]. ]. Jones presided,
and Hon. William Brace delivered to
the Post the address Of presentation.
The orator opened with an eloquent
tribute to courage and drew q fine dis
tinction between tho daring which in
olden times challenged the admira-
alton Of mankind and the heroism
which under civilizing influences
had humanized an imbruted instinct.
1t was the courage born of love of
country which had induced the men,
bers Of this Post to rush to the rescue
over score Of years ago. They
proved it in camp, on the battlefield
and in their gallant treatment of their
vanquished foes. A leferencs.to the
dead heroes of the struggle was succeed
ed, however, by reminder that this
occasion was no time for sadness.
Time has healed many of the wounds
war had made, but the country should
care for the shattered systems and
MANNED bodies of the survivors. Tho
3sservedly inevitable allusion to the
<omen found place in the latter portion
Of the address. 1.-THE approving
smile of beauty" and "the desire Of the
brave to win the fair" were cited as
the most potential incentives to
heroic effort. A proof of this is here.
"As a token Of the esteem of the
women of Frostburg, l am deputsd to
present Thoburn Post this beautiful
banner. This flag, beautiful in con-
ception and design, is fairly represent
alive of woman, whose gift it is. l
commit it to you, not only to be
guarded and protected by you rs
patriots for what it represents, but to
be loved by you as men for what it
is. * In behalf of these ladies
I now deliver to you this sacred
charge"
On the part of the Post Mr.. A. A.
Rogers responded. He felt some en-
barrassment at having to perform the
part Of another gentleman assigned to
this duty, but who at the last moment
was called elsewhere. This embar-
rassment was enhanced by the con-
sciousness of his inability to properly
and fully express the appreciation of
the Post of this marked evidence
of the esteem of the genius ladies Of
Frostburg. He regarded this beau
tiful token not only as evincing es-
TEEN for the old soldiers, but the prin-
ciples for which they fought and which
now animate the Grand Army of the
Republic. The spirit which conceived
and made this gift was abroad during
the war in home and hospital, binding
up wounds and cheering the sick, and
we shall ever hold the ladies of Frost
burg in grateful memory when and
wherever this flag is unrolled. Ad-
dressing his comrades, the speaker
called to mind the new responsibility
incurred by them to merit good opin-
ion and maintain with greater care
the three great principles Of our Order
Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty.
In doing this we shall reflect credit
upon the community in which we live
and guard the honor and purity of
those who have so generously and
gracefully bestowed upon US this
beautiful mark of their favor.
At the request of the chairman Mr..
Brace read tho following poem, "writ-
ten for the presentation by lover Of
the flag"
God guard our Flag the brilliant red,
Dyed with the blood that true hearts shed
When they for this bright banner fought,
And with their lives our freedom bought!
God guard our Flag look on the white
Fen as thou didst in wars dark night;
And may all meath our Banner be
Adorned, like it, in purity!
God guard our Flag the glorious blue
Proclaims to all a Nation true -
Bids us be strong in loyalty
And points to glorious victory!
God guard our Flag protect each star,
Made brighter in the storm of war!
And now our Nations crowned with peace,
Grant that their numbers still increase
The banner is a heavy white silk
field, 4 x 6 feet, fringed and tasselsd
with yellow silk, and hung upon a
beautiful staff, the last named crowned
with gilt eagle. The Grand Army
emblem in bright gilt and colors occu-
pies the centre on each side with gilt
inscriptions arranged as below:
rHoBuRN POST, No. p.
G. A. R.,