The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-10-29

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our dear daughter, and also 10 thanl
Drs. Thomas and Pickett. who did al
that medical skill could do 10 restore
! our loved one to health again.
Mr.. and Mrs. a. ]. Myers
By request of the few surviving
members of what is known as Com
pany d, in command OF Capt. NJ. NJ
Rowan, We publish the speech deliv-
cred by Miss Annie Vaughn upon pre-
senting the flag to the company or
the 18th of September, forty-seven
years ago. As the speech is short
we will give it in full. The following
is the speech as given TO the writer
by Mrs. Annie Parham:
Soldiers of the Caledonia Rifles:
The pleasing duty has been as
signed me 10 present TO you his day
in behalf of your fair country women
here assembled this beautiful ban
ner, our new national ensign Upon
it you behold the stars representative
of the galaxy of Confederate States.
and its broad bars, emblematic OF
faith, purity and fidelity. Preserv-
| ing all that was glorious of our old
national flag. the Stars and Stripes
we have remodeled and improved it.
when we behold the stars, We
are reminded of the standard under
which our ancestors fought the bat
ties of the revolution of 10. and
when upon our own new bannar We
see the stars in the beautiful field
of blue we are inspired with faith
to engage in battle and achieve the
victories OF the revolution of eight
cen hundred and siXtv-one, the sec
ond war of independence Our fa-
theirs fought to be free from British
tyranny; they could not and would
not endure taxation without repre-
sentation. The issue has been forced
upon us of the South. and before we
will submit TO the unjust tyranny OF
an abolition despot, before We viii
be ground down by taxation 10 en-
rich those who have always reaped
the reward of our labOrs. paid by
taxation, we will appeal TO the god
of battles for the justice of our cause,
and never lay down our arms 'till
victory perches upon our banner and
peace reigns within our borders
Such are the feelings, soldiers.
which pervade our entire Southern
country. Animated by them you
have organized this gallant company.
composed of our fathers. brothers
and neighbors, to enlist in this holy
struggle.
''Partaking OF the enthusiastic de-
votion, a portion of the fair daugh-
ters of Lowndes desire 70 present you
this banner, the work of their own
hands. In the name and by the au-
thority of the ladies of this neighbor-
hood, now before me, I present you
this flag. Conscious of the justice OF
our cause, assured of the unwavering
courage, the eternal patriotism OF
the Caledonia Rifles, we shall feel
secure in our homes and safe BY our
firesides when we know We are pro-
tected by such brave and gallant sons
of our soil.
Soldiers, brave and true, we com
nit this banner to your hands, feel
ing well assured = aye, knowing
that its beautiful folds will never be
lowered or trail in the dust so long
as the warm life blood that flows
through the brave hearts and strong
arms of a single Caledonia Rifeman-
Now that the ruthless invaders
have dared TO pollute our soil with
their hostile tread, we bid you go
forth TO meet them-go under this
banner-and if it shall be necessary
TO strike in defense of our sacred
rights and liberties, bear your en-
sign aloft. AS you look on il stream
ing in the breeze. remember ttcSe
by whom it was made, be olcouraged
by their universal good wishes and
their love; be strengthened by their
prayers; then strike for our homes
and your sires, your altars and your
fires, God and your native land Re-
member Gideon, the prophet OF the
Lord, who, going from the threshfng
floor in the field with three hundred
chosen Israelites, smote and conquer
ed the hosts OF Midiaa. and as they