Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-08-07
FLAGS FOR THE SOLDIERS.
A Handsome Outfit Of Colors for the
Second Regiment.
THEY WE'RE PROCURED BY THE
LADIES OF CHARLESTON AND
WE'RE PRESENTED BY COVER
NOR ATKINSON-MORE CITIZENS
THAN SOLDIERS ATTENDED THE
PRESENTATION-GR ENTHU-
SIASM DISPLAYED.
Special to the Register.

PRESENTATION-GR ENTHU-
SIASM DISPLAYED.
Special to the Register
charleston, w. Va, August 6.-There
were almost as many citizens as there
were soldiers present this evening at
Camp Atkinson when the Governor in
behalf of the ladies Of Charleston pre-
sented to the Second regiment a splen-
did stand Of colors.
The several companies of the regi-
ment were massed close together on the
dress parade grounds. when Governor
Atkinson, escorted by Col. Casteel and
his staff. came forward and presented
the flags. He said:
THE GOVElRNORS ADDRESS.
Soldiers of the Second West Vir-
glnia Infantry Volunteers-This is an
auspicous occasion. You are soldiers
who have volunteered to defend our
nag and our constitution against a for
elgn roe. In our present war
with Spain we have every reason to be
proud of our fellow citizens in arms.
they have added new glory to the
American name. They have met and
overcome difficulties which stood in
their way, and our country is now con-
tent to enjoy to the full these recent
splendid exhibitions Of American man.
mood. We are Anglo-Saxons and his
tory tells us that the Ambassadors
have never been defeated in war. | do
not believe they will ever be defeated.
There is time for war and time
for peace. Both cannot exist at the
same time. War is pitiless and strikes
to hurt. Pity is not for the enemy I'M
I'll he Is conquered From
the opening of the war to the present
our army and navy have had one con-
tinuous line of victories. These vic
tories beat the capture Of LISA. They
put the battle of the Yalu in the shade
Ihere is more drama in them; there are
more episodes, more spectacular and
sensational incidents than in any enga-
gements since the battle of the Their
mopylae or Trafalgar AS achievements
they are unequaled, as results unex-
celled, and as chapters in modern war
fare they will thrill generations to
be.
My countrymen, l have been re-
quested by the ladies' of Charleston to
present to our Second Regiment of
West Virginia volunteers
THIS STAND OF COLDRs
NO regiment in the service will have a
superior outfit, because these flags are
as fine as money will buy. These la
dies do not class themselves with Semi
ramis and Zenobia, who wrote their
names in blood; nor with Aspasia. who
corrupted Athens and made Greece
drunk with the wine of her sensuous
charms; nor with Cleopatra, Egvpt's
beautiful and the worlds shameless
courtesan-nay, none of these, famous
through their unwomanliness and in
fanny as illustrators of the glory of her
sex. None Of these typed American
women are represented among the
donors of these flags. Their type of
womanhood is of that truer and better
character which is represented in the
history Of Penelope, weaving amid her
maidens through weary years the web
that shattered her virtue, until her
royal husband returned from his wan
behring's and war to gladden. her wait
ing heart; or courteous Rebecca at the
well; or timid Ruth cleaning in the
field; or nobler still, the Roman Cor
nelia, who tainted in Rome's decaving
age by rivals with her poverty, held up
her virtuous children exclaiming.
These are my virtuous Jewels" Fit
women to have been the mother of
Graceh, and like whom had all Roman
mothers been, Rome might to this day
have boasted an unbroken progeny Of
heroes. These, my countrymen, are
the types of woman that West Vir-
ginia produces and we need not there
fore wonder at the stamina and man
hood of our West Virginia troops, than
whom no better and drawer men ever
leveled a musket or unsheathed a
sword
In the name of the
GOOD WOMEN OF CHARLESTON
l hand these flags over to you, and In
Gods name l beg of you not to allow
any one to lower them except your
selves. 1t is our fiag-your flag-and
may God Almighty grant that it may
never be made to kiss the dust while it
is in your keeping"
At the conclusion of the speech, Col.
Casteel spoke few words accepting
the gift on behalf of the regiment. The
Governor then proposed three cheers
for the ladies of Charleston, which
we're given by the regiment with Wig
or. then three cheers for the First
West Virginia, then three cheers for
the Second West Virginia regiment,
then three cheers for Capt. Burns. the
United States mastering officer, all of
which were given by the men with
great warmth.