The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-29
CoLoRED BATTALIoN'S FLAG.
ITS FORMAL PRESENTATION BY
COL. A. r.. LAWTON.


with Full Ranks to Receive Gov.
AtlSinsOn's Gift-COI. Lawton's Adj
dress and Col. j. H. DeveRux' Re-
spOnse-The Flag Greeted With
Cheers.
The First Battalion nf Infantry, Geor-
gia Volunteers, colored, turned out yes
terday afternoon at O'clock in the park
extension, TO formally receive the colors
presented the battalion by Gov. Atkinson.
The Forest City Light Infantry Com
pany A, Lincoln Guards, Company B,
Chatham Light Infantry, Company c, Sa-
vannah Light Infantry, Company D, Lone
Star Cadets, Company e, and Colquitt
Blues, Company F, the six companies
composing the battalion, were all out In
force and dress uniform
The presentation was made by Col. A.
r. Lawton, commanding the First regi-
ment Of Infantry, Georgia Volunteers, who
was accompanied upon the parade ground
by his staff, and several of the line Off
GERS of the regiment. among whom were
Capt ]. F. Brooks, Maj. W. S. Rockwell,
and Capt. w N. Nichols.
The battalion marched upon the ground
under command of Col. ]. H. Deveaux,
and, after going through a few move
ments was placed at parade rest, facing
| Whitaker street. Col Lawton and his
staff then marched from the street to the
front of the battalion the colors furled
| and encased in oilcloth being borne by a
tall colored soldier detailed especially for
the duty
Col. Lawton stepped to the front and be-
| gan his presentation address. He said
| that it had become his duty and pleasure
| to present the colors; his duty because he
! had been assigned the pleasant task by his
| commanding officer, the governor, the
| commander in chief of the army and navy
of the state and his pleasure, because the
! flag stood for law and order, and in its ac-
ceptance, the large battalion Of troops be-
fore him were again declaring itself for
the maintenance of place and the preserva-
! ton Of the government.
The militia troops of the country, Col
| Lawton said, stand for the government
| and it is to them the people look in times
| of trouble and riot. He said it was
| pleasure to him, as a military man, to
| present the flag and see the evidence of
| enthusiasm the occasion had aroused in
the members of the battalion by the large
| number than had turned out to receive it,
| This military enthusiasm was doubly
| pleasing to him on account of its show
| ing that the men were ready to be called
| out in rain to receive a testimonial OF
! states confidence in them as defenders
of the public order and peace, and were
not soldiers that are content to rest un-
| der the mere name and fulfill none of the
duties of soldiers.
Col. Lawton said that it was to his re-
greet that he must say there are men who
| decry the militia service of the state and
seek means of injuring it. There ore
some, he said, who grudge the military
men in their employ the short time II
takes for them to respond to their mill-
tary duties, If they grant 1t at all, and
| in many instances that refuse altogether
to allow them this time. They he said
| consider that military is but the follow
| show Of brass buttons handsome uni
| forms and brass bands during times or
peace and quiet, but that when the tllr-
mol of riot and ruin is spread over the
land, they are the first to cry for the
help of the military and insist that IT
does the duty Of police officers without
their recompense.
The troops Of a country, said Col. Law
ton, are the representatives Of govern
| ment law and order, and thew deserve
more than they receive of appreciation
| for they stand ever ready to answer ths
call of duty and by this readiness ana
ther constant state of preparation they
are hulwark against the outbreak Of
liCtS anu organized laWIeESnegg.
The bearer Of the colors came to the
| front, and the cover was taken off dis
! playing the stars and stripes, with a deem
| fringe OF gold as a border. The flag is
tXed to handsome yellow star, and has
long tassels Of gold braid pendant.
This flag said Col Law ton as SYM
bolic or power and government; of a mod
crate government here, though a firm one.
/ rake the colors, protect them, march I'M
der them, but remember you bear them
as representative of law and ORDER
Col. Lawton delivered the colors to Col
| Deveaux who, after receiving them and
| turning them over to the color sergeant
| of the battalion, said:
Col Lawton Sir-I am deeply sensible
of the Importance and significance of the
1 patriotic ceremonies we engage in to-day
which VIII ever be remembered as an
! historic event in our city and state
This battalion is very grateful TO Gov
| Atkinson for the course he has taken in
! making this occasion one OF innnressive-
ness, and fully appreciates his action in
/ the selection of the ranking officer Of our
branch of service in this community, rep
| resenting at once the state, and in your
personality name that is so highly re-
spected and honored throughout the EN-
! pire state of the south. Be sure sir. we
| Will always remember the kind words
and valuable admonition and the manner
| In which you, with your officers have
imposed
on you by his excellency the governor
The inspiration you have created will
not be eradicated by time, and will bear
abundant fruit among the rank and fle
Of this command
In receiving this beautiful and glorlous
nag OF our country that all of our people
! are so justly proud Of ] declare It could
not be entrusted to a more devoted and
loyal class of people In any part of our
great republic. This battalion repre-
sents men who have made a record for
1 fidelity that has no parallel in the history
OF any other people It was but some
thirty odd years ago that this fidelity and
trustworthiness were put to the highest
test. when the natural protectors Of per-
haps nearly every family Of your people
were off to the front engaged In war.
when your homes and fresldes were left
to the care and protection Of the race we
| represent which was then In bondage: and
when they returned from wars bloody
strife, they found the Loving ones al
home safe, for the humble guards had
been faithful to their trust. Surely. sir
then you can rely upon US as soldiers to