The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-07-05


Yesterday turned out after all TO be
one Of the most perfect days ever seen
on holiday. 1t was neither too cool
nor too warm, but bright and bracing,
The feature OF the Observance Of the
day was the rush to Wheeling park.
Big as the park is, it was filed, and
good as are the facilities for getting the
people there, they were taxed to the ut
most
Picnics and outings were "too numer-
GUS to mention" The most appropri-
ate observance of the day was the pa
rade by patriotic orders and the pres
entation OF beautiful United States
flag to the new City hospital.
In anticipation OF the parade, and in
honor OF the day generally, great
many houses were decorated, aud every
body who had flag flung it to the
breeze.
The parade formed on Chapline
street, in front OF the city building. and
about $3.50 q. m. marched over the route
laid down in the INrELLIGENcER yester-
day. In the line were perhaps 300 men,
as follows: Garfield Council, Q. U. A.
NJ, OF McMehen; Enterprise Council,
O. u. A. NJ; Wheeling Council, Jr. 0.
u. A. NJ; the G. a. r. and the Patriotic
Sons OF America. Tile procession was
headed by Chief Marshal W. w. Rogers;
Of the P. S. of A., and his assistants, Il.
J. Kurner, Of Wheeling Council, Jr. 0.
U. A. NJ, ]. F. Potter, OF Enterprise,
Council, o. u. A. NJ, and P. L. Aler-
Ger, Of Garfield Council. o. U. A. NJ, OF
Mechen. The American cornet band
came next and drum corps headed the
IS. Of A.
The line made good. showing, and
was greeted with enthusiasm ali along
the route by the large crowds which
had gathered on the sidewalks.
THE FLAG PRESENTATION.
Arrived at the City hospital on the
return march, it was found that large
crowd of men, women and children had
already gathered there.
Col. W. W. Rogers made the presenta.
ton. He merely formally presented
the flag, saying:
Owing to loss Of time, / cannot say
what intended, but as am no orator,
here is Col. Robert White, who is, and
he will tell you all about the Fourth Of
July, our flag and this good hospital,
and on behalf of the Patriotic Daugh-
tera and Sons OF America, they placing
special trust and confidence in your
fidelity and patriotism, l ask you to
please accept this flag"
1t was highly proper that presenta-
ton made by a distinguished union
veteran should be acknowledged by
distinguished confederate veteran. Col.
White had been chosen by the ladies OF
the hospital association to receive the
flag on their behalf, and he did so in
an eloquent and feeling speech, which
was frequently interrupted by applause.
The flag was run up, and for the rest OF
the day floated gracefully to the breeze
over the hospital.
Col. White spoke as follows:
COL. WHITES SPEECH.
Friends, if to-day we could go back
one hundred and sixteen years over
the mountains to old Philadelphia and
stand in old Independence Hall what a
scene we should witness This is the
natal day OF this great republic and tif-
ty-six men we're gathered in that hall
from the colonies, then under the gall
ing yoke OF England gathered there for
anoble intent aud q high purpose. In
that was John Hancock, whose name is
familiar to every sChoolboy and whose
fame will go down in the ages as tho
chairman of that gathering. John
Adams, Massachusetts,, great statesman
was there, and Benjamin Franklin, once
aprinter boy, now famous philosopher
and patriot. Richard Henry Lee Carter
BraXton, Francis Lightfoot Lee, from
Old Virginia, the mother OF statesmen
were there, and that grand patriot
and American, Thomas Jefferson. Thorn
as Jefferson rises from his seat. He has
scroll in his hand. When he rises
every eye is upon him and the interest
is intense. He reads the first grand
clause of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. Then, after summing up the
great wrongs and expressions OF Great
Britain, no SAYS: "Elle colonies arc
and OF right ought to be free and indie
pendent states" And then, with head
raised to heaven, no asked Divine
guidance, he declares: "And for the
support OF this declaration and with 81
firm reliance upon the protection of
Divine Providence we mutually pledge
TO each other our lives, our fortunes
and our sacred honor" Then the old
bell proclaimed liberty, and its peals
will ever echo. down the corridors OF
time. That was q great day; true
patriots Wero there-the fathers OF our
liberty.
On this day we might also reflect on
the scene here in this valley, here where
Wheeling stands. II we could look
back one hundred and sixteen years
We would sec the red man and his wig
VAN, a wilderness on every side.
Now We see a great city filed with
Christian homes, with hives OF indus
try.
Out thoughts should be stirred, our
hearts fred by reflections on this great
day.. wish we could go back to the
Old days, when thousands would gather
together and the grand Declaration OF
Independence would be read and when
the people would listen to many patri-
otto addresses.
Ladies Of the Patriotic Daughters OF
America, Iwant to thank you for this
beautiful flag Of our country that you
have presented to the hospital, and on
behalf OF the Ladies' Hospital Associa.
hon gratefully accept 1t. cannot
join your society, but when SEQ you
give such gifts as this know your
hearts are in the right place; you are
aciuated by high and noble purposes,
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