The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-01-06
Then followed the
PRESENTATION OF FLAG.


PRESENTATION OF FLAG
Governor Perry was escorted hall way down
the steps, when Miss Mena Williams. accompa-
MED by Cadet Carter, hearing the handsome flag
made entirely ot Florida silk suppnrted 10y /;
color guard, advanced Ia The foot of the steps
when the flag was presented and Miss Williams
delivered the following beautiful address, in an
admirably manner:
GouernOr Perry: Representing Flnrida and
my maidens, its different counties, We come
with mission, which is 10 present 10 the State
from her citizens. through your Excellency tom
happily chosen Chief Magistrafe) This beautiful
flag, specially prepared Tor this auspicOus occn-
sion, which is not one of ordinary official oath
taking, but is besides the Inauguration of eunita-
bile laws, good feeling and Il new born pros
perity throughout our land. And the glorious
privilege of once more gathering in uatioual
pride under the shelter of our National banner
makes this Il betittng time for the Gift, and
with prayeriu heart We will hope never again
To be banished from its protecting fold. The
flag is made OF the threads of liie' spun by
little workers. who breathe forth shroud that
forms lor them a sepulchre Nothing else could
have wrought the task delicate SO radiant for
no mortal man could make strand
OF the fabric SO skilfully woven
This hlg is entirely of American production
The egg from which the worm Was httche1 Was
American raised The food that fed the wc-,n
grew upon our soil, and Florida women lurn-
lshed the enterprise and industry to guard with
tender care the mysier 'nS lahors :" The cunning
insect through lis short life winch ends in II
gauzy vell ct beauty and usefulness. The follow
ing are the parties who contributed to Tins work:
Mrs W. IL. Gibson of Gadsden county
Mrs j. Z Boat wright of Leon county.
Misses Jennie and Alice Brcvard, of Leon
county.
Miss R-inctlc G. Long, OF Leon county.
Mrs Linton of jefferson county.
Mrs. Hagan, OF Duval county.
Mrs Truebo'd, OF Alachua county.
Children of Pensacola
And though glad 10 Acknowledge HE work of
so many, yet how much more So We would be- il
each county oil the State. represented by my lair
attendants could be counted among the contrib
ulOrs. The cOcOOns SO raised, reeltd in
the rooms of The Women's Silk Culture Associa-
ton of Philadelphia. and the manufacture of the
flag Was effected in that city. This is the fifth
flag made wholly of American raised silk The
same Association have prepared two for the
Senate Chamber aud House oil Representatives
OF our country's Congress. Two others for the
Halls OF Pennsylvania Legislature, and now,
" Flor5da. from her people" as is inscribed on the
staff-is presented with this 0ffering-and where
ever this siar-gemmed flag shall wave, ii will
proclaim Nations wealth of glittering threads
thaf viii IN lime roll from our own looms, Tor
which our own cocoons will furnish The silk.
The gorgeous robes Of Royalty in velvet rich
ness in satin radiance, and all silk in its sheen
is from the toll of the lriple-ied silk worth
which is 80 well described by Miss Gould, in The
short poem known the silk Worms Will :"
On plain rush hurdle q silk worm lay,
When proud young princess came that way;
The naughty child of human king
Threw nideiOng glance at the humble thing.
Thai took with silent gratitude
And shrank, half scorn and half disgust
Away from her sister child Of dust
Declaring she never yet could see
Why reptile form like this should be:
And that she wAs not made with nerves 10 irm
AZ A,.. calmly to stand by a .cr. '. worm
The taanting words and the spuraing OOk;
Alike q stranger to self and pride.
Ii had no disquiet from anght beside
Which Viii these dsbsr rom the human breast.
Ii only wished for the hAzsh Ahuse.
To md some way 10 hecome OF nse
o o5 ss ,n n:s S;a S.nsn n q , .ss man.
To teach her Wisdom. sn1 make II plain
plan 20 generous, deep md high,
That to carry II ont IL must even die!
No more Il said WIN drink or eat
III spin and weave me winding -stest.
To wrap up from the suns clear Hight,
And hide ny n.y. form IN from n asr $500 sish
IN toll fur herr md whom die
III lsave behind, q faFsweu hson,
To the pFound Young pxsacnse. my whole cncnun,
Ana q ha aos'i 4 sn Ss o g 81 &C.,
And Wiaen sae can calmly dsaW her hqsakh ~
Through he very iasaads 1T hass claasd N -,
When she nads, e ls.eih. - - 1870 - L.
Nay she hesr b. Mind thnt - willis 1i1h fgiAe
In the windingrhsn wh@s - ~ sNcem dis9F