The Southern herald., 1892-03-04
win Return the Flag.


in the Common Council chamber in
Boston Thursday night, says the
Post Of that city. 1t came up over
the returning Of the flag captured
at Hanover Courthouse, Va, May
2S, 1862, by the old NinthMassachu-
setts Regiment Of Volunteers. S. P,
Smith, ofward 10, during his speech
said; If you choose TO class this
waving the bloody shirt, do so. F"
This flag, in his opinion, was arebel
flag and nothing more. 1t was
captured from the ClevelandGuards
Of North Carolina, and so far as he
knew they never thought of asking
for its return until some surviving
member of the Old Ninth suggested
that they do so.
ut is urged" said Mr., Smith,
"that the war is over. l want to
say that the war is not over in the
South so long as that man Council.
man Banks, Onward 9, colored) can
not ride in a first class car, even if
be has a first class ticket. 1t is the
emblem of treason, and should be
kept by this city as token of the
yalor Of her soldier. 1t was pre-
sented to the city and it should be
kept forever by the city.
II have the greatest admiration
for the Southern soldiery," said
Mr., Smith. II respect such soldiers
as Gen. Lee and such statesmen as
Stephens, but | have no respect for
/ jeff Davis nor for the emblem Of
| his cause. / shall vote ever and
always against this, and if you do
so," said Mr.. Smith frowningly,
"that is your affair; let the con.
sequences be on your own head" "
Councilman Norris, Of ward l3,
/ followed Mr.. Smith. He hoped
the order to send the flag back
would prevail. lie Informed Mr..
Smith that he was in error in stat
ing that colored men could not ride
in first class carriages with white
people. He had been south him
self, and knew this was not so.
Then up jumped Mr.. Banks
(colored) Of ward 8.
"Were you ever further south
than Virginia." he asked Of Mr..
Norris.
II never was in Virginia, "repli.
ed Mr.. Norris, but l have been in
Georgia. d"
"And can you say colorcd people
we're allowed to ride with equal
rights with white people?" asked
Mr.. Banks.
"Yes, l can," for I rode with
them myself" (Uproarious laugh
ter.
A. C. Smith, of ward Is, favored
the return of the flag. LET us
send it back in such a graceful
way" said he, "tbat the South will
fully appreciate the courtesy Of Oul
act"
Mr.. Hallstrom, Of ward II, gof
on the bloody shirt side, and sale
1.-THE cause this Gag represented wal
odious, and the flag Of treason cap
tured with the best blood of thu
North should never be returned
John Quinn, Jr., of ward y
wanted the Gag returned.
II want this flag sent back, ,
said Mr.. Talbot, of ward IS; return
ed, because was born in the South
and 1 have seen you here fawninl
on the necks of Southern soldiers
who have come here. You have
snapped sabres, rifles and pistols
emblems of real danger-but wher
it comes to this little bauble yo,
make a great hubbub."
(Laughter.)
President Barry left the chaiI
and spoke in favor of the order.
At this point Mr.. Everett, o
ward 9, offered an amendment tha
the city vote to return the flag tc
the Old Ninth, and then return i
to the Cleveland Guards.
Mr.. Ratsbesky vigorously op
posed the amendment. He made
an impassioned speech in favor o
the orders passage as it stood. He
did not believe in the city's shirk
ing its responsibility by the passage
of such an amendment. 'Let u:
vote honestly one way orthe other
said he, land not dodge the issue
Let those who are opposed to The
return of the flag say SO. For my,
ale I -, -, fovnr of enndinU II hacL