The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-09-25
LINCOLN AND THE TORN FLAG.
An Incident Winch Greatly Pleased IA Party
oi Rebel Sympath izers.

An Incident Winch Greatly Pleased IA Party
OF Rebel Sympathizers.
Washington critic.
4" I've not been in these grounds for
several years. remarked a citizen to "A
CrHir reporter as they stroIled about the
White House grounds last Saturday
Afternoon. listening to the music OF the
Marine b md and observing the numerous
groups IF wrll-dres>ed young ~omen,
DEPARTMENT clerks. strangers and dudes
and the hilarious enjoy ment of large
number of children gamboiing on the
green. " During the war | came here
quite often. and the scene then presented
very animated and variegated spectacle.
Washington was military camp, aud
whenever there VS. music here large
crowd was sure to be III attendance. I he
bright uniforms of the officers of the
army aud navy, the scarlet baggy Irou
sers of some of the ZoCaves and the blue
OF others, the clean nautical attire Of
men of wars men, all mingling with
civilians. comprising men, women and
children III gay attire, presented IA most
attractive spectacle. Celebrated rrgi
mental bands often alternated with III.
Marine Baud in discoursing music for
the enjoyment of the crowd. During
these entertainments President Lrucoln
and his family, members of the Cabinet,
Representatives OF the Diplomatic Corps,
general office rs and prominent people oc
cupied the south porch of the While
House, which added largely to make
these grounds attractive to citizens,
strangers and vsito $ during these must
cal seances.
"And This reminds me of an incident
which occurred at the Inauguration OF
these musical entertainments in Presl-
dents Lincoln Administrations, which
took place i'll the summer OF 81. A
music stand had been erected just there
(poiuting to SPOT tqnal distant be- ween
the two mounds), and over it was a tent
shaped CANVASS canopy, through the cen
tire of winch extended flag staff " it'll
halyards attached. The Inauguration of
the musical ceremonies was conducted by
President Lincoln, who at the appointed
hour came through the crowd on the
lawn from the Executive Mansion, &c
companied by Secretary Seward, aud iol
lowed by some others of his Cablnet.
They stepped il to the musc-stand, and
President Lincoln, taking hold of the
halyaIds, TO which new silk American
flag was attached, at a given signal COM
menced to haul up the flag. A cheer
arose from the vast throng present, but
was instantly checked. AS the flag as
cended to the point on the staff where the
tent-canvass encircled 1t it caught upon
some projection and was torn neariy III
twain, and when it reached the top of the
staff II Haunted in two sections, Oh one
of W hich remained six or seven of the
stars aud portion of tie stripes. This
was considered all ominous sign, aid the
please EXPIRE ssion OF many rebel sy mpa-
thizers UIeseut showed how they con-
stIued the incident, while the UulouistS
seemed shocked and paraIyZ.a Of utter
NICE. | was near the stanu aud watched
With deep lul.I.sI Lincoln anu Sewald.
President Lincolu's face bore very
grave eApressloL, and Secretary oewald's
flushed Tor al lnstdut tut as the battered
III r..4p l,I n = h,. haStlIy tnrneH TN
the leader of the band aud told HIM to
strike up the music, ana this diverted
the atteui lou OF The crowd from the EN-
barassing accident But II was the town
Jalk among the rebels III Washington for
many d day