The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-07-14


awaited the answer of George LII to it
petition for human rights. At length
it comes, and the patriots now know
there is but one thing ltft to dc
For three days they have been debat
ing the Declaration of Independence
1t is now two O'Clock of the fourth da,
the 4th of July. Since morning til,
old bellman has waited for the signal
and now, grown impatient, he mutter
"they will never do it''-Hthey vii
never do it," At this moment Ring
Ringw shouts the boy stationed be
low, running out in the street. And
he rings! The listening people hear
it and shout for JOY; Washington and
the army hear it ana their falterine
courage rises, and sinking hopes grows
brighter ; across the seas the King and
his ministers hear it, and startle in
their lazy security; La Fayette and
France hear it, all Europe hears it, all
the earth hears it; the sounds float up
past moon, past the stars. past the sun,
on ard on, and up and up, to the eter-
nal throne of God Himself. And tho
note is welcome, and the patriot chief
tain will not pray in vain. Turn again
to the picture! Successive pageants
of battles by sea, and battles by land,
of burning fortresses, of marching col
umns, of camping armies, of all the
"pride, and pomp, and circumstances
of glorious war" unroll themselves be-
fore our eyes until, at last, we behold
CORVALLIS surrender at Yorktown.
The great drama is played, the revolu-
ton is an accomplished fact, and the
United States ofAmerica are acknowl-
edged free and independent states.
Replace the curtain-no need to
look further. Washington, and Jeffer-
son, and Adams, and Franklin Green,
and Warren, and Sumter, and Marion
the men who accomplished this great
work-the statesmen and warriors of
the Revolution, who shave breathed
Their spirits into the institutions of
their country, who have stamped their
characters Oh the pillars of the age,
who have poured their hearts blood
into the channels of the public pros
perity" are your ancestors. That they
might possess liberty for themselves
and transmit it to their children they
poured forth their blood and gave
their treasures; fought for seven
long years the armies of the most
powerful nation on earth, and made
the constitution under which this
government has advanced to its pres
ent pitch of prosperity and power.
And you are those children. So you
are the heirs of a double legacy OF
glory the fame of your Revolu-
tionary, and the fame of your Confed-
crate sires.
l recall these things that you may
hot forget your lineage, and that you
may remember who and what you
are. To your glorious ancestors this
day was holy forit witnessed the birth
of their national existence. Let it not
be less so 10 you, who enjoy the fruits
of their labor.
But the purpose of our gathering
mere to-day is not TO celebrate this
1t is that the East Car
roll Guards may receive from your
bands, noble ladies, tnat beautiful FLAG,
.with its high device'-snon sibi sed
suis." Fair ladies of East Carroll,
the interest which you take in the
welfare and advancement of this Com
pany does honor to your patriotism;
landmarks you as the worthy decend-
ants of the founders of our republican
but you are in a more
especial degree the children of the
proud cavalier aristocracy oflhe South.
The elegant dignity, graceful deporl-
nent, refined and gentle manners which |
made the DANES of ante-bellnm DAYS
so lovely in the eyes of all the world, |
still distinguishes and separates you
from the coarser women of other
ands. Ii seems that God has seen fit |
10 choose this sunny Southland with |
is semi-tropical climate, its clear, soft |
'kies, and balmy winds as the nursery |
N which TO rear the loveliest of all |
ais works-a perfect woman. Here,
grown to full stature, she walks an
lncrowned queen, receiving, without
compelling the homage of a subject
people. as frail plant, which rears
is limid head above the crust of earth
S warmed aud strengthened, day by
lay, under the genial influence of the
un, until at last, grown to maturity,
/ puts forth lovely flower, SO has
our sex grown from age to age be-
leath the influence of civilization until
t now wears its crowning glory
southern womanhood.
From such hands, fellow Guards, do
We receive this gift! How then can
words express the exalted estimate
which we place upon the honor thus
bestowed upon us? Inadequate and
seless, language fails me, and in
Despair, | turn to you, men of the
Guards and coniure you tosprove in
eeds what cannot be expressed in
words. AS you preserve and protect
his flag will you show your WORTH
ess of receiving it. Your appreci-
ton will be measured by your action.
,ishonor it neverl Never display it
kept in righteous cause! Never
lri it in shame! Emulate its device
Remember always that you are the