The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-31
BUT THE LATTER DECIDEDLY
GOT THE BETTER OF IT.
SOLDIER AND CIVILIAN PARTICIPATED
Seaboard Air Line Employees Made Great day
of Their Flag Raising. The Governor
and Mayor Grace the Occasion.
Col. Burgwyn's Address.
Gel. Burgwyn's Address.

Clu olory WIN All ttHc eHtHuSidSln OF
IN aroused patriotism, when it broke to
the breeze ut Johnson Street station YES
tcrday afternoon. 1t was il scene all
the more impressive for the fact that
the ceremony was IL great success when
Il failure might have been expected. 1t
is easy to spread the contagion of IA
cheer when the sun shines, the band
plays and the old flag ripples on the
propitious brcezes of a calm summer
afternoon. but to stand i'll Il driving
down-pour of rain with barred heads.
and give three times three for the Stars
and Stripes, while it cracks in Il gale
and the lightning flashes furiously is Il
vastly different matter. And yet that
is Just what the throng of people did
yesterday. Ah$ III
Elaborate preparations had been made
by Messrs. J. w. Cooper, ID. NJ. King
and j. $. Riddle, who composed the
committee of arrangements for the Sea-
board Air Line employees. Platforms
had been erected for the speakers, and
the military hand, and decorated with
flags and bunting. Hundreds of ladies'
were present, the first to arrive and the
last to leave the scene, and all wore the
national colors Their patriotism was
not dampcned in the least.
AT 1870 O'Clock Governor Russell ar
rived. accompanied by his Secretary,
Rev. BayluS Cade and took his seat on
the platform. where Mayor Russ, Rev
W. c. Norman, Rev. DIR. Carter and
numerous ladies were awaiting the ar
rival of the Second regiment.
At $50 o'clock Colonel Burgwyn and
staff. followed by the band and the
volunteers in column of tours, marched
into the open, around the flag pole and
halted in position, the men standing at
parade rest. The appearance of the
troops was the signal for cheers from the
thousands waiting for them.
1t was already raining sharply, but on
the stroke of five little Miss Myrtle
King, daughter of Mr.. ID. NJ. King, UNI
furlcd the great flag, while the band
struck up the Star Spangled Banner?
and the crowd listened in impressive
silence with barred heads. When the hand
finished playing Colonel Burgwyn rode
forward and waving his cap. called for
three cheers for the flag. Not even on
the heights of Santiago, were they
given with greater Zest. The torrent
of rain compelled Il suspension of the
ceremonies for Il few minutes, and the
troops sought shelter. AS the shower
abated the band struck up Dixie" and
then followed the most remarkable DEM
onStration of the afternoon. No sooner
had the crowd caught the first few fal
miliar notes than soldiers and civilians
burst into IL perfect storm of cheers that
almost made the huge 12x24 foot flag
dance at the top of its SO foot mast.
They were cheers for the flag and the
song, which to-day appeal alike to every
section.
Colonel Rurgwyn, the orator of the
day, was conducted to the stand and
was applaudcd as he took his seat.
Then America" that most magnifi-
cent of songs when sung by multi
tude, was rendered by the band, the as
semblage joining in.
Rev. w. G. Norman offered Il fervent
prayer to the God of nations returning
thanks for the great victories already
won and beseeching favor for the army
and navy, for the occasion and the sol
diers and citizens present.
Mayor Russ introduced Colonel Bur
gwyn III Il short speech full of bright
things. Mayor Russ began by saying
that when he saw the paper bag, which
held the flag. burst Il few moments be-
fore. it reminded him of himself on all
such occasions. He declared that the
flag was tho emblem Of higher civiliza-
ton. one which inspired the society dude
of New York to fight shoulder to should
or with the rough cowboy of the plains,
in defense of human liberty. Mr. Russ
created much merriment by his reference
to General Wheeler up tree at Santa
90, and by his declaration that when
Wheeler passed through this State, the
only thing he left was the trees. Colonel
Burgwyn was then gracefully introduced
Colonel Burgwyn's speech was reve-
lation to those who had known him only
as a soldier. He was soaked by the
rain in which he had been sitting on
his horse and must have felt very I'M
comfortable. but he rose to the occasion
magnificently.
The speaker said in part: 81 hold
with the commander of the Rough Riders
who told his men at Santiago that it
was Il time to fight, not time to swear;
so to-day feel that it is Il time to fight,
not a time to talk The flag which floats
there is peculiarly a Southern flag. On
every battlefield of our early history,
Nnefc II Hoate0 VIGOROUSLY, tleFe you
found the Southern soldier behind ii. tt
was fashioned after the coat of arms of
IA Southern and by Southern arms was
made glorious.
Il am proud to be here to-day, because
it is the first occasion of the kind that
has occurred in any State, so far as
know The occasion has Il deep signi-
ficance. | recall how 81 years ago that
flag, which to-day we fling to the breath
of heaven with so much pride, was torn
down and trampled in the dust in this
very city. To-day your Governor. your
Mayor. the wealth and beauty of your
city are here to do that flag honor. 1t
was not alone in earlier days that this
flag owed its lustre to the blood of South
Bears the ~syH