The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-11
William R. Smith,

by
 William R. Smith,
 One of the Delegates from Tuscaloosa.
 Only a few copies of this valuable book are extant. and we are indebted to Col. s. w. John of Birmingham for the use of his, from which we present this verbatim excerpt:
 Tt would be difficult to describe with accuracy the scenes that presented themselves in and around the capitol during this day. A vast crowd had assembled in the rotunda, eager to hear the announcement of the passage of the ordinance in the Senate Cham Der, within hearing of the Convention, the citizens and visitors had called meeting; ald the company was there addressed by several distinguished orators, on the great topic which was then expressing the attention of the Convention. The wild shouts and the rounds of rapturous applause that greeted the speakers in this impromptu assembly, often broke in upon the ear of the Convention, and startled the grave solemnity that presided over it's deliberations.
 Guns had been made ready 10 herald the news, and flags had been prepared in various parts of. the city to be hosted upon a signal.
 When the doors of the Convention, by motion of MT. Yancey, were thrown open (aftsr the passage of the Urdi- nance of Secession) the lobby and gall leries were filled to suffocation in a moment. The ladies were there in crowds, with visible eagernes5 to par ticipate in the exciting scenes. With them, the love songs of yesterday had swelled into the political hosannas of today.
 Presentation of the Flag.
 Simultaneously with the entrance of the multitude, a magnificent flag was unfurled In the centre of the hall, so large as to reach nearly across the upon tables and desks, held up the floating end, the better thus to be able to display its figures. The cheering was now deafening for some moments. It semed really that there would be no end to the raptures that had taken possession of the company. MT. Yancey addressed the ConVen- tion in behalf of the ladies of Mont gomery who had deputed him to pre- sent to the Convention this flag--the work of the ladies of Alabama. In the course of his speech he described the notices and devices of the flag, and paid handsome tribute to the ardor of female patriotism.
 The writer has to regret that he has been unable to obtain a copy of Mr Yancey's speech. and that he has no notes from which he can make satis- factory report of it.
 MT. Dargan offered the following resolutions;
 Resolved, That the flag presented by the ladies of Montgomery be received, and that the President of the Conven- tion be requested to return to them the thanks of the Convention.
 Resolved, That the flag shall here after be raised upon the capitol, as in dicative whenever the Convention shall be in open session.
 MT Smith of Tuscaloosa said:
 Mir. President-I was not prepared for this surprise. I knew nothing of this intended presentation. The sud- denness with which this gorgeous scene has been displayed before us, overwhelms me with emotions that im- pei me to give utterance to the sen- timents that inspire me.
 III upOLt llllo llaSg d luOuSdHu memories throng my mind. The bat tie fields of my country are spread out before me-and amid the smoke and clamor of contending armies, I see floating above a gallant Ald trium- phant soldiery, the Star Spanged Ban ner-a flag sacred to memory. em- braced in Southern song-baptised in the best blood of the greatest nations of the earth. and consecrated in history and in poetry as the herald of liberty's grandest victories on the land and on the sea. Under the Star Spangled Ban- ner still float a thousand ships, whose appearance is cheered in every port. Under the Star Spangled Banner, bat ties have been won whose victories, as they adorn the annals of an age, pro claim to posterity the untameable valor of an infant people. Under the Star Spangled Banner, as the lurid eyes of the British Lion have grown dim, British swords have been surrendered and in later days. in the ancient home of kings, on the dismantled towers of dismehbered nations the Star Spangled Baner in triumph has been displayed.
 In parting, shall We not salute it? Have We no gratitude for the past? No recollection of the glories that have been achieved under the glittering folds of the Star Spangled Banner? No thanks for the fame that it has brought to the country? In the memory of the gallant soldiers that lie on the field of death. enshrouded in Its folds; in the name of Perry and Decatur, Of Law renee and Jackson, and a long line of illustrations heroes. Let him who has tears to shed, prepare to shed them now'-now as we lower this glorious en- sign of our once vaunted victories.
 We accept this flag. IL Is presented by the ladies of Alabama. see upon 1t a beautiful female face.