The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-13
YIGILANT,SFLAG

Rated 70 tho Aeoomp aulmFnt o. 1paeehos
and lInlia Last Hlght-A Large Crowd
Exhibited its Patriotism.
The First ward citizen Is conserva-
tive Individual. BE seldom advances 70
the front Of the stage like his brethren
Of the Island, South Side. or East End.
but when be does lift his head above
the sea Of common place things, some
thing "draps." Last night he presented
the vlgilant engine house with a nag,
and the accompanying "doln's" will so
down into the history Of the First ward
AZ one of the great nights that was.
There was the Hag-raislng first and
foremost. but speeches, music, fireworks
and decorations galore, further appeal
ed to the enthusiasm Of an audience OF
$500 people, and the scene at all times
was one to be remembered. The fire lad
dies put forth thelr best ticks to maxi
Ing their engine house thing Of beauty
and nearby residents on Main street
decorated their homes with profise dis
plays OF flags and bunting. Mcclel-
lands band added 70 the enthusiasm
With patriotic selections, and the
speeches were thrilling 10 the core,
reaching thei. apex of distinction when
Harry Mcclure showered words OF burn
Ing eloquence upon a surprised popu-
lace. as he received the flag In behalf
OF the firemen. It was his maiden
speech, and worthy Of Webster or
Clay.
The ceremonies began at $50 o'clock
and continued until 10 o'clock, and took
place from a neatly decorated stand IN
front of the engine house. Mr.. VIII
Caldwell was chairman and introduced
the speakers in well chosen remarks.
on the stand were seated: Congress-
man B. B. Dovener, City Solicitor Frank
". Nesbitt Charles Shuck, j. ]. COMM,
DR.. c. f. UIrich, Jacob Snyder. Coun-
cilmen Harry W. Mcclure and Ben Con-
nelly, Sam Phipps, Andy Korn ana
Charles H. Miller.
The exercises opened with the play
ing OF the "Red, White and Blue" by
the band. The first speaker was MT
Shuck, who did himself proud. He spoke
Of the benefits Of flag raisings and their
value In intoxicating patriotism. and his
references to the war with Spain were
quite appropriate.
Then the band raped out Yankee
Doodle" IN double quick time, as pre-
Jude to City Solicitor Nesbitt's adj
dress, which was one OF the most elo-
quent Of the evening. Mr.. Nesbitt said
that It was most fitting to do homage to
q banner which has taught European
nations that the true idea Of the mis-
sion Of governments is the divine right
OF man; and he referred to the sneers
of Europe years ago at the American
Republic, which was said to be a Uto-
plan form of government and would
soon fall. Nr. Nesbltt's address was
punctuated with applause, and In apos-
trophlslng "Old Glory" he said its stars
were q coronet Of freedom, and its
stripes the scourges for oppressors.
Following this speech crowd close
by sent up an illuminated balloon and
scores OF rockets. Chairman Caldwell
introduced Mr.. Coniff as The Beau
Brunmel OF the Ohio county bar" Mr.
COnlft replied to this introduction in
fellcItIous terms, and then drifted into
warm arraIgnment Of Spanish treach-
eFV. He didn't want peace until Spain
had satisfied all Uncle Sans demands,
nor that the dons should leave Santa
go with side arms or any other kind OF
arms, Mr.. COMMIT argued against
America having colonial possessions or
aiiying itself with England,
DR.. Ulrich was the next speaker, and
his remarks were as he intended them
to be. Like my body, short and full Of
meat"
The flag was purchased through con-
tributlons OF patriotic North Wheeling
ties, and no man was permitted to con-
tribute over one dollar. 1t Is beauty,
Is by % feet in size, and It was pre-
scented by Congressman Dovener in an
eloquent speech. The captain feelingiR
told OF what the old flag stood for, and
he Instanced the veneration in which Is
held the name OF John Howard Payne,
the author of Home. Sweet Home"
Captain Dovener caught the crowd
when he cried, just before the flag was
unfurled. "Let us give three cheers for
Old Glory. Are you ready? Then, hip,
hip. hurrah"
Every man, woman and child let
loose in the cheering, and the band
chlmed In with the "Star Spangled
Banner" while Chief Klieves pulled the
flag UP to the pole. This act being per-
formed, Captain Dovener made the for
NAL presentation speech, and the re-
Spouse was made by Chairman Mcclure,
OF the council committee on fire depart
mena AS stated, his EFFORT was sur
prise, and when he stumps the First
ward for the legislature this fall, he'll