There was a great time at
Washington last Wednesday, on the occasion of raising a Federal flag over the General Post-Office building.
Lincoln and his Cabinet took a prominent part in the performance, and the following account was telegraphed to the
Northern newspapers:
The President having advanced to the front of the platform, was enthusiastically greeted from the throng below, and said:
He was very happy, on all occasions, to be the humble instrument of forwarding the very worthy objects which had been expressed.
He, therefore, took pleasure in performing the part assigned him. Supposing that extended remarks were not expected from him, he proceeded at once to act his part.
He then hoisted the flag by a hand-over-hand movement, amid deafening cheers, accompanied by the waving of hats, and of handkerchiefs by the ladies, the band playing meantime, the ‘ "Star-Spangled Banner."’--The flag having been attached to the staff, three cheers and a repeat were given — the occupants of trees, housetops and windows participating in the general demonstration of joy.
The President again appeared in front of the platform, saying it occurred to him that a few words would be appropriate to this occasion.
Several weeks ago the Stars and Stripes hung lankly about their staffs all over the
Union.
So it was to-day when this flag was first raised, but the glorious breeze has unfolded it, and it now floats as it should.
He hoped the same breeze was now spreading out our glorious flag all over the nation.
This expression met with a general and enthusiastic response from the delighted multitude.
Postmaster General Blair, in behalf of the officers and clerks of the Department, thanked the assemblage for their presence.
As the
President had said, it seemed for a time that the affections of the people for the flag had gone in one section, but this was a great error; the old flag is yet dear in all parts of the
Union, and the people are coming forward everywhere to uphold and maintain it.
It was not because of the beauty of its colors — it was not because of the stars and stripes upon it — but because it is associated with all that is dear to American freedom, and because it is the emblem of freedom and glory — the emblem of popular government, so deep in the hearts of the nation.
It is for this, and this only, the people are protecting it. Not as a party, because we have ceased to be a party.
[Cheers] We are no longer Democrats, Whigs and Republicans.
We are
Americans — standing up for our free institutions, [renewed cheers,] and we mean to exhibit to the world that in pursuance of the great principle of maintaining free institutions we are as one people devoted to that end, be that end far or near.
[Applause.] Do not mistake our Southern friends.
I am a Southern man. They beg you to come and rescue them from military usurpation — from the conspirators against their freedom.
[A voice--‘"Hang every one of them."’]
After further remarks he added:
Disarm these conspirators, and these Southern men, like you, will echo your voices in enthusiasm to the Stars and Stripes.
As
Mr. Blair concluded, he was warmly applauded by the multitude.
Secretary Seward responded to the impatient and oft-repeated calls for him, saying:
‘
Fellow-Citizens:--You here have known well the statesmen and orators of some of the
Southern States.
We have known their courage, and the spirit and the resolution of the people of all the
Southern States; but, knowing all these, we know two things which even they cannot do. One is to destroy ‘"Hail Columbia,"’ and the other is to destroy the ‘ "Star-Spangled Banner."’ [Repeated cheers, intermingled with exclamations of ‘ "no, never."’]
They will fail to do it only because human nature needs that the one shall continue to be so, and that the other shall continue to float over the sea and the land.
And what human nature needs, God Almighty, the father of human nature, decrees.
[Cheers and repeated applause, and music from the band.]
Secretary Smith, in response to calls for him, said it was scarcely within the power of any human voice to reach so vast a multitude, but he knew their hearts were warmed by the same feelings of patriotism which prompted those who exhibited to them to-day the glorious banner of our common country.
No sight has ever been presented to the
American eye, whether on the shores of our own country, or on a distant soil, or on the wide extended ocean, which is more calculated to warm our hearts, and excite our patriotism, and kindle anew the flame of love for country, than the sight of that glorious banner, the emblem of freedom and civil liberty.
[Applause.]
But if there ever was a day when the sight of that flag should excite afresh our patriotism and love of country, that day is now.--Treason has erected her hydra head and threatens now to crumble into ruins the glorious fabric of the
Union cemented by the blood of our fathers, and to trail in the dust that flag which is looked to as the last hope of the oppressed throughout every part of the world.
[Cheers, and a voice ‘"That's true."’] Upon you, my friends, who live in this age, is devolved a higher duty than ever before rested on the
American people; for when
Geo. Washington led our fathers through the fiery ordeal of the
Revolutionary War, the duty and responsibility resting on those illustrious patriots was small in comparison with that resting on you, their descendants.
[Applause.] More than seventy years have elapsed.
Prosperity has crowned our country, and we, their descendants, owe to their labors all the weal and happiness as a nation we enjoy.--On us devolves the responsibility of preserving the liberty they won.
’
In the course of his remarks he expressed the belief that the
American people were equal to all emergencies; that treason will be repelled, rebellion crushed, and the foundations of this glorious Republic become stronger and more enduring after these troubles shall have passed away than they ever yet have been; that our flag will again float over a prosperous and united nation--‘"Over the land of the free, and the home of the brave."’
