The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-06-17

light artillery, and these in turn by the
First Regiment of heavy artillery, IS
in line.
Brackets battalion, j. w. Cramsie,
commanding, with rs veterans, was
followed by few survivors of the
First Minnesota Rangers, and these in
turn by a detachment of the Second
Minnesota cavalry. Hatch's battalion,
which claims the distinction of being
the last Minnesota military organiza-
ton mustered out after the Civil War,
brought up the rear of the Civil war
organizations.
Nearly 10000 people gathered about
the main entrance of the new capitol,
where the parade disbanded and stood
on all sides of the platform, erected
especially for the occasion.
The formal presentation of the flags
was made by Archbishop Ireland. In
presenting them to the state he said:
Dear old flags, tattered and shat
tered, storm-beaten and bullet-bored,
our hearts go out to you in sweetest
love, in fondest embrace. The tear
drops believing our eyelids bespeak
the emotion yelling within our souls.
Dear old flags, receive our salute most
sincere in its tenderness, most plenary
in its effusiveness.
Dear old flags, precious and sacred
the memories you evoke; meaningful
and rich the lessons you impart.
THE old flags, borne by loyal sons
of Minnesota, through Americas
mighty war, in defense of the oneness,
of the life of America, borne ever
stainless and blameless, borne ever
with f1rmest resolve to die or con.
quer, borne at last to resplendent vic
tory! The old flags! They are the
pride of Minnesota, they are her
| treasure; honor them as Minnesota
may.
Magnificent was the uprising, sell
dom equalled upon the golden pages of
the story of patriotism in the world
over. America was understood, Amer
lea was loved in Minnesota. For
America no sacrifice was too severe;
for America was given the first SOW
ereignty over heart and life. Onward
they came, regiment after regiment,
to do and to die for country; and as
they marched and marched, they
sprung above their ranks the emblems
of their burning patriotism, the flags
of state and of nation-the flags offer
ed today for the worship of your eyes.
Beautiful you were, dear old flags, as
proudly you fluttered in the air, radi-
ant of hope and of resolve, tremulous
with defiance of the enemies of Amer
lea, reckoning in majestic waves to
combat and to triumph. Inspiring you
were, dear old flags, as back upon the
trooped warriors you reflected the sun
shine of Americas glory and chal-
lenged them in Americas name never
to permit, at whatever the cost, that
they be lowered in shame or in defeat.
For what you were, when first you
rose above the ranks of Minnesota's
volunteers, for what you embodied in
your folds, for what you spoke in your
flutterings; we love you, old flags; we
honor you; we vow to you reverend
ing devotion"
Governor Johnson, in receiving the
flags for the state, said in part:
"On behalf Of the people of this great
commonwealth, accept these battle
flags and assume the responsibility for
their future safe keeping, an office l
approach with cordially which finds
no expression in words.
This day is one of great moment to
you who in the years forever gone,
marched side by side beneath the
folds of these banners, into the pres
ence of those grave dangers which of.
fered but single hope-the hope that
you might be Of service to your coun-
try This day and this occasion recall
to your minds the sting of the hostile
bullet, the roar of shot and kissing of
SHE'LL
1T recalls the day when streams
were turned into purple, when hillside
and valley were transformed from
field and farm into the cemetery of
the nation. 1t recalls the day when
you abandoned the plowshare, the
shop and library, to go forth to re-
dress the wrongs done your country's
flag. It recalls the sad day when you
returned with ranks thinned, with
brother and comrade left to sleep in
unknown graves, far from home. 1t
recalls all this and it also reminds
you that when your country called
you answered the call, and your work
was well done, and that you have lived
to see a once divided country cement
ed into more perfect union and you
have lived to receive the grateful ado
ration of your contrymen.
Republics may seem to be and even
may be ungrateful, but to the sturdy
and hardy soldiers of the republic,
who were not actuated by the spirit
of gain or adventure, this nation owes
a debt of gratitude and acknowledges
the obligation; and to us, the younger
citizens of the republic II he1onps