Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-08-03

! tOl that surprised WOIlQ.
| And SO, in the serious days of our
later conflict fer tie integrity of the
Union, men seemed to love the flag
most when fortune was most against
it. In the dark days of 81, when
every circumstance of almost every
campaign seemed to be adverse, when
Kirby Smith had penetrated the Cum
berland Gap and was threatening the
Ohio River cities, when Buell. was re-
turning unsuccessful from his cam
paign through Alabama, when McClel-
Ian seemed to be rendered powerless
in the Peninsula-in that time when
the clouds hung very low, there was
revealed another triumph of national
spirit, and another illustration of the
indomitable patriotism of our popula-
ton. For just at that time, when Mr..
Lincoln's call came for 600, 900 vol
unteers, though there seemed to be
for time rest and pause, yet it was
only the rest which the water makes
before its leap over the Niagara.
That call was responded to with a
magnificent impulse and quickness
that again surprised the world, and
renewed the heart and courage of that
noble man who presided over the des-
TIMES of our country, and again these
clouds were lifted with the pledge
that in no time of darkness would we
forsake the flag.
That flag stands to us for senti-
ment; for an institution. In itself, in
the combination of colors that made
it, in the bunting or silk of which it
is made, there is nothing. 1t is what
it stands for that makes it dear to us.
1t is not the land of ours, wide and
rich as it is; it is not this wonderful
scenery that opens to us here these
mountain peaks, these great lakes,
these enticing summer grounds, nor
the great plains of the West, where
while we rest the farmer is pushing
the pillow to fill the granaries that can
feed the world it is not this stretch
of land. these rivers and mountains
and plains; it is not the product of
these; it is not Wall street; it is not
the Produce Exchange; it is not bulk
meats; it is nothing that has bulk.
1t is something that lives in the
heart, it is an enshrined sentiment
that makes this flag, and it stands for
a glorious history.
We look upon that flag and we
think of Bunker Hill, and we see the
gallant band expending the last
charge of ammunition and battling
with dubbed muskets over the breast
works and retiring at last defeated:
yet, as some one said, Britain won
the victory that day and we kept the
hill. 1t speaks to US of Lexington
and Concord and Cowpens. of Valley
Forge. of Saratoga, of Yorktown, and
of all those great achievements. We
look upon 1t and think of Washing
ton. We look again and see the be-
nign face of Abraham Lincoln. We
look again, and Grant and Sherman
and Sheridan are revealed to us. We
see upon its folds the story of Vicks-
burg and Chickamauga and Chatta-
nooga, of Gettysburg and Appa-
mattox. 1t is this story that is WOW
ell into it that makes It precious to
us; it is thus that it inspires. 1t is
that for which it stands, a Union of
States, government of the people,
for they made it; by the people, for
they conduct it; and for the people,
for it has missed its object if it does
not accomplish their good.
1t stands for government of law,
for civil organization, for a Con-
stitution that has assigned powers.
1t stands for the thought that our
people have pledged their loyalty to a
system of laws of their own making,
subject to be changed by them, but,
while they are laws, demanding the
allegiance of every uan and woman
in the country.
1t is because we have learned the
lesson, and it seems to me the An
glo Saxon people, or people that
has been wrought out of the various
contributions that have come to these
shores, are the only people in the
world that understand what If is to
give the allegiance of the mind and of
the heart to civil institutio MS and not
to men.
What can any man do against that
flag? Let him have mounted ever SO
high upon the roll of honor, let him
have intrenched himself ever so
strongly in the affections of the pee
ple-if he lifts his hand against that
| flag he falls at once. He can lead no
following against it, or against our
4 free institutions We have not for
gotten as people to esteem and hon.
or greatness in men. We have ven-
Grafton, deep, abiding and fervent for
the great men who have served this
country, but we love them because they
have served it. None of them has
ever been so great that he could steal
away the hearts of the people from
their love of it. We have in this al
once the explanation and guarantee o.
the permanence OF our civil institu
tons.
Why is it that the South Ameri
can countries that have inflated oul