The National tribune., 1906-12-20
RETURN OF MARYLAND FLAGS
Wilson Post, OF Baltimore, with Past
.Commander-in-Chfe John IL. King
Act ns CoIor-Eunrd md Escort.

Act as Color-Euard md Escort.
rnents which brought fame to Maryland
upon many battlefields during the civil
var have marched for the last time be-
heath their old colors. Attended by
most impressive ceremony, the transfer
20 the State of the So tattered and torn
hags which were unfurled by Mary
lands citizen soldiery AZ years ago was
made, few days ago, in the State
House at Annapolis by Wilson Post. c.
A. r., of Baltimore, in whose posses
sion the colors have remained for many
years.
The flags were taken to the State
Capital by the veterans on the steamer
Annapolis. More than 800 veterans
accompanied the old flags. The land
ing was made at the Naval Academy
Basin, and when Gen. John r. King
Past Commander-in-Ch Chief of the c. A.
r., stepped ashore he was met by Ad-
miral Sands. of the Naval Academy
3ud Capt. William A. Baird. u. S. A,
who represented the Adiutant- General
and the Governor. A company OF sail
ors from the United States steamship
Mayfiower and the Naval Academy
Band, ordered out by Secretary Bona
parte, formed the escort from the land
ing to the State House. They were en-
Enthusiastically cheered all along the
line of march
When the State House was reached
the veterans marched TO the Senate
Chamber. All but the color bearers
took their seats, the latter at the re-
quest Of Gen. King forming circle in
front Of the Speakers desk, and await
er the entrance of Gov. Warfield.
Standing in the center of the group
of color bearers was Capt. Thomas j.
Henrik, Commander of Wilson Post
.Iln in fnNr- I,rinF vi H. hi
of his Post presented the old State COL
ors to Gen. John r. King and Gen.
James l.. Wheeler, members of the
Maryland Flag Commission Then fol-
lowed one of the most impressive fea-
lures of the ceremony. The aged color
bearers, in order to get a last look at
the flags that they had so long cher
ished, for a moment unfurled the SO
faded and tattered colors before tho
gaze of the entire audience, and Just
what these mute reminders of the
struggles for supremacy on the battle
field were to the veterans may best he
judged from tho actions of the old
soldiers. Heads We're bowed in revar-
ence as the beloved flags were slowly
unloosed from their fastenines, AMI
when furlcd again for the last time
those who held thcm in such loving
memory sobbed bitterly at the thought
that they had forever passed out Of
their possession.
The flags were then placed upon the
desk in front of Gov. Warffeld. and Cen
King, in behalf OF the Commission, pre-
sented the colors to the State. He said
in part:
These tattered old battlefags Gov
Warfield, carried for the last time by
those of US who followed them amid
the perils and dangers of war. are now
brought here and committed to your
care and to that of your successors.
"Those blood-stained banners speal;
volumes for the honor, the courage and
the devotion to duty of the more than
$4,000 gallant white sons of our dear
old State of Maryland.
"When the State shall cease 10 honor
ana venerate these precious memorials
of her worth. then, indeed, will her
people have become the degenerate
sons of noble slres. unworthy of their
origin and a disgrace to the land of
their birth. Many, very many, of the
sons of Maryland who followed those
old flags gave up their lives in the
shock OF battle-a glorious sacrifice in
defence of Constitutional Government;
they have left an example of heroic
bravery and unyieldng patriotism
which genera tons yet to come may well
strive to follow"
Gov. Warfeld, in replying, said in
Fart:
you have brought back the flags
intrusted TO you by the State of Mary
land-honored and consecrated by
your valor and patriotism. On behalf
of the State ! promise that they will be
safely guarded and preserved in a room
which l have had specially prepared
for their care and dedicated to their
custody, where your children and de-
scendants can come and view them,
and recall the bravery and the patriotic
service of their soldier sires.
There is one fact of which we can
be justly proud. Maryland soldiers
were always found in the vanguard,
and never fiinched when facing the
enemy.
"The unhappy conflict in which these
flags were carried was ended Al years
ago. A majority of your comrades VINO
fought under them have passed be-
yond the picket line from whence no
soldier returns. To-day you have
marched for the last time behind them,
and you now place your loved banners
in cases prepared for them, but you
will carry with you to your homes and
in your hearts q love for them which
will never die. assure YOU there will
never be Governor of Maryland vino
will not guard and watch over them
with jealous care.
reach your children to love thf5e
banners. to love their State, their coun-
try and its Flag. Teach them that
there is but one flag of our Nation-the
Stars and Stripes"
Gov. Warfield's remarks were re-
ceived with thunderous applause.
The flags were then placed in their
fireproof cases. and carried to the room
specially prepared for their reception.
known as the flag ROOM" the Cover
nor placing In the case the first flags
with his own hands.
The old veterans were not well pleas
ed with the attitude of the Superin.
tendent of the Naval Aca denny. They
are not sure that the scanty courtesy
extended to them was entirely volun-
tary. 1t was evidently the wish and
desire of Secretary BOnaparte that the
brigade of midshipmen be turend out
to receive the veterans as they landed
from the steamer, but the plea was
made that to do so would interfere
with the routine of study. This act of
courtesy would not have taken half an
hour, and in that brief period those
young men would have had an object
lesson not embraced in the curriculuru
of that school. which, if properly ap-
piled. would prove a valuable lesson in
t.,. a. i