[56] we longer bow our necks, like slaves, to the yoke? Shall the descended of the men of 1776 hear the clanking of their chains and fear to break them? God forbid! what though you perish in the attempt?
The coward died a thousand deaths,Then men of Virginia, show yourselves worthy of the name you bear! From the women of your native mountains, take this flag beneath its fold, go forth to meet the oppressor, and fear not to die! After Miss Hardin concluded, Lieutenant R. B. Edmondson, on behalf of the troop, responded in a short but spirited speech in which he pledged the company to defend the flag with their lives, and return it to the fair donors untarnished by dishonor. J. T. Campbell, Esq., then, in a few remarks, in which he referred to a daughter having made the presentation, called for three cheers for Miss Hardin. They were given with hearty, good will. The veterans decided to meet next year at such a time as a committee appointed for the purpose shall fix, and late in the afternoon they marched back to town, wheeled into line in front of the courthouse, and there broke ranks and went to their homes.
The brave man dies but one!
