The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-30
FLAGS GIVEN FIRST FLORIDA.
STAND INCLUDES STATE AND Ma
TIONAL COLoRS.


The Presentation Speeches Made
by Editor Wilson.
Tampa, Fla, June 29.-This afternoon,
the First Florida Regiment appeared on
dress parade on the beach, and ii having
been previously announced that state and
national colors were to be presented to
the First Florida, large and distinguish
ed assemblage witnessed the exercises.
Two dozen carriages filled with repre-
sentatives of the fair sex were lined up on
the beach facing the regiment, while near
them was Gen. James Rush Lincoln and
his staff, and the commissioned officers of
the Third and Fifth Ohio, the Thirty-sec-
ond Michigan, the Sixty-ninth New York
and the Second Georgia, the field and staff
officers being mounted. When the regi-
ment had been formed, Editor Wilson, of
th Times Union, advanced a few PAGES TO
the front of the audience, and in clear
voice said, as he drew a handsome stand
of state colors from its casing: 1.-THE grim
and stern necessities Of war decree action
and not words. Therefore, facing the
gallant boys of Florida who offer their
lives to the service of the nation, l shall be
ing a simple civilians duty as the medium
of presentation from the donors to your
custody.
Il come to you, 1t is true, in the plain
clothes of the civilian, conscious that the
man who remains at home has duties not
as trying and dangerous as the patriot
who volunteers his life to his country.
Il present these colors in behalf of the
subscribers of the flag fund to the First
Florida Regiment of Volunteers, feeling
that when they return TO be folded in
peace, no dishonor or stain will be upon
single thread in their silken unity ana
when history shall be written, / echo the
sentiments of every citizen of Florida
when express patriotic confidence that
the Florida regiment will prove worthy of
brave and generous people. In present
ing this regimental banner that now I'M
furl you will see woven in its fabric a
symbol of our great country. Treasure it
tenderly, as you do honor, when In the
uniform of a soldier"
The flag bears the coat of arms of the
state, above which was beautifully en-
broidered with silk, large American ca
gle, whose outstretched wings proclaimed
liberty to the people wherever the bird
spread its wings. Above the national en-
blem Is PLAGUE, upon which the states
of the union are represented by stars.
The eolors were handed to a member of
the color guard, after which Editor Will
son presented a set of national coors,
upon which was embroidered First Flor
ida Regiment, 1885, and in handing these
colors to another member of the guard he
said: i present this flag, the sacred stars
and stripes, emblems of liberty, and the
holy link now binding and uniting the ma
ton as one. Embrace them tenderly, fold
them to your hearts and follow them I'M
and In the 6fcpbarpa If
your duty to civilization with honor TO the
state that sends you forth TO do battle in
obedience to the nation, whose integrity
you must uphold
MAY the blessings of God be with you
and If the cruel Spanish bullet should lay
any of you beneath the Cuban sod may
thee Stars and Stripes stand sentinel at
your crude resting place and the wild
flowers of the tropical sun wave them
selves into immortelles. your memory
be entwined around the hearts of the
American people.
with a benedicton of heart throbs of
all brave men, heart throbs for our couu-
try and our flag, 1 entrust these colors to
your keeping"
His remarks were frequently cheered
and when he had ceased, he received quite
an ovation.
When he had concluded Lieut. Henry
Fowler, in behalf of the regiment, ac-
cepted the state and national colors, max
ing the following response: 1T is with
a feeling of the greatest pleasure and
deepest gratitude that / reply to you in
behalf of the First Regiment of Florida
Volunteers, and to thank you In unmeas-
ured terms for the beautiful gift you have
presented US. l can but feel my deficiency
in this respect. Nevertheless, sir if my
word fails to express the sentimens APP
preciative of this body, l can but trust
you will take the will for the deed, and
bear in mind that your kindness and
thoughtfulness will ever be impressed
upon our memories. And to those who
have assisted you in donating this beau
tiful emblem, l desire you to extend our
heartfelt thanks. But to you sir. person.
ally, we wish to doubly tender our warmest
appreciation assured ii was first through
your thoughtfulness and untlring energy
that we are now the proud posseesor of
our country's ensign, that which every
true hearted American must ever be proud
OF. But more especially, sir will we pre-
serve this beautiful token owing to its
origin and associations The period is
fast approaching when we must leave for
foreign lands in obedience to our coun-
trys call, and whether it be upon the dusty
march, with our threats parched by
thirst, or whether it be under the CALLING
fire of the enemy, the banner you have
this day presented us will be our guide to
victory, and not man of us, sir, but VIII
lay down his life in its defense.
in conclusion now extend the heart
felt thanks of this regiment believing
that the memory of you VIII ever be stamp
ed upon our minds"
Col. c. F. LoveH, the new commander
of the First Florida, who succeeds Col.
Williams took chaEge of the regiment to-
day in compliance with Geographic in
structons from Gov BloXham and for the
first time appeared in public at dress par
ade this afternoon as colonel of the regi-
ment. An order was read to this effect
by the adjutant of the regiment
Capt. r. e. Davidson is relieved of The
command of the First Battalion and or
dered to report to Brig. Gen. Rodgers,
chief of artillery, with a battalion con
sistng of the following companies: A. ].
X and l.. 1t as understood by this that
these companies vii go with the next ex-
petition. These companies are
from Live Oak, Quincy, Pensacola and
Ocala. A touching little incident occur
red as the colors were brought up for
closer inspection by the ladies, several of
whom raised the muchly priced slken
emblem 10 their lips and kissed il affec-
tionately. One lady having a son in the
regiment her lips implanted a kiss on