The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-07
THE FIRST.S FLAG

mont - TIE First West Virginia Req.
Alaat-El8s ElSqUsdt aitd Patriotic Sen-
tlmentS Of Hon. John W. WasOn.
Among the other observances Of In
dapendencs Day at Falrmont was an
impromptu public meeting after the ar
rival Of a nag which the ladies' Of Fair
mont had ordered for presentation TO
The Fist West Virginia regiment. now
Ia camp at chicl5amauga, and awaiting
orders to proceed TO the frpnt. The
nag was taken upon the public square
and diSplayed'to n large assemblage OF
citizens. amid great enthusiasm. A
psief address by Hon. John w. Mason
was delivered, In which eloquent and
Patriotic sentiments were expressed. II
was the first tag to be presented to the
Tegiment, and the ladies OF FairInont
&c confident that It Will remain with
the boys throughout their campaigns
and be brought safely home, even
though Its beauty may be somewhat
marred by the enemy's bullets. Mr..
Mason, who said some things which
were particularly appropriate in con-
nertion with the war, spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies' and Gentle
Epen:EThe ladies', always thoughtful In
every good work. have procured this
Beautiful flag to be presented to the
First West Virginia regiment, now In
the field.
with, the nag win go the prayers of
B'Qirnont's fairest and most loyal
autobiography for the safety OF the
brave men who will carry 1t In the bait
uetand for the success Of the cause IN
which they are engaged.
dare not attempt to-day to follow
fhNn Hnnp In finn fhFnnnn tho
many perlls through which It may pass,
or fancy 1t waYIng over victorious fields
amid the triumphant shouts OF Marion
county boys. need only say that II
viii be placed in the hands OF West Vlr-
glnians, and woe to the Spaniard who
attempts TO strike 1t down. The inspira-
ton and strength which comes to the
man who carries the flag in battle is
born Of patriotism 1t Is the heroic
force which comes to the aid Of weak
nature when placed face to face with
Imminent danger. 1t IS the highest test
o. that GOdgiven power which enables
one to 6Ier himself willing sacrifice
upon the altar Of his country. There Is
agtandeur which no one can appreciate
except those who have seen II in the
stately march, the firm step, the flash
ing eye and determined countenance of
the man who carries the flag into bat
F. NAH. at Iledu VI MS DR
not suppose that these fearless acts are
Inspired by excitement. maddened pas
sion or selfish ambitions. Such impulses
utterly fail when death stares zone in
the face; but for God and country men
dare to die.
we shall commit this flag to the keep
ing OF our boys. knowing full well that
no dlshonor will come to It, and that
q will be carried wherever duty re-
Guires, no matter how great the danger.
Less than two and half months have
passed since the tocsln OF war was
sounded. The nation was aroused from
q long and pleasant dream. For more
than thirty years we had been at peace
with all the world We hoped that war,
with all It's horrors, would never come
totour glorious country. Men who had
seen military service were growing old,
The young were without experience,
and all hoped they would not be CONF
PEELED to learn. So great was our sense
Of security and such our faith in the
nations with which they had intercourse
that we had given but little attention
to the preparation for offensive or de-
Eensive war. Our army numbered only
about 10000 men, and our navy was
small and scattered throughout the
world. The call to arms found us wholly
unprepared. We had neither men nor
ships, guns nor ammunition. But We
had the pluck, the courage and the pa
triotlsm. without murmur the money
OF the people was poured Into the ma.
tional treasury to buy ships guns and
ammunition, and the young men OF the
country with n patriotism never cQualed
by any people since the first nation was
formed, have rushed forwar1-literally
climbed over each other-to form a
great army and navy. In less than
sixty days nearly 100000 of our young
men have gone to the front and abonrd
our ships. and to-day we have 2T5.00O
OF as grand men wearing blue as ever
fired shot or drew sword.
Already they have added TO Ameri-
can history It's grandest and brightest
pages. a thousand years hence men
Will read with establishment and delight
Dewey's triumph at Manila. nor will the
world ever forget how the Spanish fleet
WnR bottled by Sampson. and how San
tiagO fell What we have seen Is but
the beginning OF grander efforts should
the Spaniards persist in their folly.
Never before in my life have felt so
proud OF my country and my country
men as l do this glorious Fourth of
July. We have no longer any sectional
animosities TO disturb US. No men are
happier In their suits Of blue than the
old COnfederates. The sons OF Grant.
Logan, Harrison and Hayes are delight
ed to obey the orders Of Lee and Fight
ing Joe Wheeler. Then IN with OLD
Glory! Give the eagle chance! It is
Americas day!
And now only few words more, Al
ready politicians are beginning to quar-
rel over the disposition to be made OF
the trophies It Is said that we are en-
tering upon a system Of expansion Of
the public domain In violation OF the
well settled policy Of this country. Men