Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-06-27

this particular company, it at the
| same time, shows that she liz, az
the mothers and daughters are,
and ever have been, foremost in
promoting every great and good
cause.
"We have left our homes to bat
tie for constitutional rights, the
rights of freemen, and the rights
of our country, and to drive back
from our soil the ruthless minions
and invaders, who have declared
they will make our fair country 9
heap of ruins, grand pandemo.
MUM of war and reduce us to beg.
gary.
"This flag will float over US, and
whether it CLEANS in the sunshine
Of peace or floats in the storm. OF
battle, the sight of it will ever re-
mind us of the fair donor, and
cheer us on to victory.
"The banner in all ages has
been an object of reverence. This
shall be no less an object of adora-
ton and idolatry to us. Around
it shall cluster our hopes of hon
orable and glorious renown. Like
the bright mountain in the Vale of
Kirlnar, which is said to mark the
highway for travellers, it shall
mark our way to distinction, in
spring us with courage to daily
with lightnings of danger and
laugh in the face of leaden storms.
I am unaccustomed to play the
part of public speaker, but if l
were words would iail to express
the feelings which animate my
bosom, and the bosoms of my COM
rades in arms in receiving this
precious emblem of the noble and
heroic impulses of Carolina wo-
men.
II take this flag lii behalf of my
company and pledge them that it
will never be polluted and desc
Grated by the touch of the craven
vandals of old Abe Lincoln while
there is left one strong arm to up.
hold it and strike in it's defence,
out that they will bear it unsullied
to victory or honorable death.
SIN conclusion, sir, allow me to
tender to the fair one whose gen.
tie hands prepared it the warmest
thanks of the Mt. Willing Guards.
Sergeant McKelvey, to you as
color bearer of the Mt. Willing
Guards, I give this flag in trust,
with every confidence in your
bravery. I hope, sir, you will ever
bear it where duty calls, where
honor calls, and although it may
be blood stained, tattered and
torn, that you may never lower it,
bnt that it may ever float high in
triumph over the wreck and din of
battles that you and those, who
cluster around it, and follow it as
the bright day star Of their destiny,
may he able to pluck the roses of
honor which ever blossoms bright
on the fed of danger"
The sergeant upon taking the
colors said:
"sir, I feel truly grateful for the
honor that this day has been con-
ferred upon me in assigning to me
the part of color bearer in the Mt.
Willing Guards, and in placing in
my care and keeping this beauti-
full banner, and more especially
since it is the donation of a fair
woman whose heart always beats
| in unison with freedom and inde-
pendence. May we always prove
ourselves worthy of such a gift
and the high trust conGded to our
care. Sir, receive it with pride
and assure you that. no craven
hands shall ever pollute it's pre-
cious folds, nor shall it ever be
lowered before an enemy while l
have power to uphold it. If we
have to contend on the battlefield
it shall always be among the fore
most in the contest, and ever
brought off with honor. Sir,
whenever my auperiors command
or duty calls there shall it be un-
furled, whether on the sunny
plains of our own dear Carolina.
the red hills of Virginia, or the
frontier of Texas. I will carry ii
from the Chesapeake to the Rio
Grande, and when I refuse to re.
spond to duty's and honor's call
nerveless shall be my arm and still