Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-15

Daughters of the American RevOlu-
ton, with special pleasure.
| The beautiful flag was brought to
the front of the stage and held by
Mrs. A. c. Ligon of Orangeburg, chair
man of the committee, while Mrs
Bratton spoke.
| Mrs. Bratton in presenting the beau
tiful flag said:
Capt. Fechteler and officers of the
battleship South Carolina:
| silver and gold have l none, but !
bring you greetings from 1000 mem
bers of the South Carolina Daughters
Of the American Revolution. Only a
few of the number have the great for
tune to be with us today, but each and
| every one Is interested in this auspi-
cious occasion, and with US in concen-
trated spirit.
The organization of the Daughters
OF the American Revolution is 10000
strong. Women descended from the
sturdy soldiers and sailors who plant
ed the tree Of liberty in this soil and
watered it with their blood. They
sought a new home, where the flag Of
liberty might be forever unfurled.
How well they succeeded is a victori-
Gus story of the past, and our own
United States, a great, glorious, free
independent nation is their monu-
ment.
In the course Of century and more
the rude little sailing craft that bore
our fOre-fathers across the waters in
their search for all that men hold
dear, home and liberty. has developed
into luxurious floating palaces, and
mighty fighting machines; the out
come of the inventors genius and the
laborer's skill. And now. the high Of
flcials Of the nation have paid signal
compliment to the Palmetto state, by
giving it's name to one Of their splen-
did battleships. We, the Daughters
Of the American Revolution appreciate
this compliment and are proud of our
namesake-so proud, that we have
gathered here this morning to honor
the vessel by a gift that bespeaks our
state pride, as well as our interest In
aught that bears her name. The Moul-
trie chapter Of Orangeburg holds the
honor of proposing the gift, a propo-
stion gladly and enthusiastically met,
by every chapter in the state.
Very fitting is it that this presenta-
ton should take place here in old
Charleston, for 1t was in the blue wa
ters surrounding this historic city,
that our flag first fioated to the breeze,
bathed in the blood Of patriots and
consecrated to liberty.
The immortal Gen. William Moul-
trie while in command Of Fort John
son, felt the necessity of a flag for sig
nals-casting about for a design his
eye fell on the blue uniform of the
state troops and the silver crescent
on the front of their caps. Soon blue
flag with a silver crescent in the dex-
ter corner waved over the fort. This
was the first American flag floated
in South Carolina.
Later on by order Of the general
assembly the flag, with the addition
of the silver palmetto tree in the CEN
tire. was adopted as the flag Of the
state.
The Palmetto was added, not be-
coast, for 1t grows elsewhere as well,
but because Of the signal victory won
In the historic Palmetto Fort. A fort,
apparently so slight in construction
that Gov. Rutledge received the order
to have 1t evacuated at once, to which
he made his noted reply: II will sooin-
er cut off my right hand than write
such an order"
Under the illustrious leadership Of
Gen. Moultrie one Of the worlds great
battles was fought and won behind
those palmetto logs and even since
then palmetto has been the place of
honor upon our flag, our state seal,
and the insignia of various orders.
Upon repeated occasions the Daugh-
ters Of the American Revolution have
practically demonstrated their inter-
est in all pertaining to the war and
NAVY Of the United States. When the
cry Remember the Maine" was echo
ing from the Atlantic to the Pacific a
telegram, brief but to the point went
from this organization to President
McKinley-"Awaiting orders"-The
president accepted the proffered SER
vice. Our national headquarters be-
came a scene of activity, and in short
time $15,OOO.0O in money and supplies
was rushed to the front. Further
more, under the direction Of the sur
geon general Of the army and navy
1.5OO nurses were sent out to minister
to the wounded and suffering.
The scene changes-the body Of
John Paul Jones. the hero Of the Amer
lean navy, is being borne back in state
to the land he loved so well, the land
for whose honor he fought, whose IL
berty he maintained-the beautiful flag
that drapes the casket is the loving
thought and gift of the Daughters OF
the American Revolution.
1t is our hope that the flag we bring
today shall wave for you in peace only
and newer be dimmed by "The battle
clouds encircling wreaths:" but if war
should come, we feel our emblem is
safe i'm your hands and that you will
fight, as did our fathers of old, for the
cardinal principles Of right and JUS
tice.
And now. Capt. -Fechteler, l have
the honor of presenting you, in the
name of the South Carolina Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution the
flag of our state, with
Three cheers for the crew Of the South
Carolina,
The valiant and the true
True to our flag, by land and sea,
Long may she wave for you.
May never traitors touch pollutc
Those colOrs Of our state.
Guard them tenderly, reverently-
Our own loved flag Of blue.