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88
CoL. PAGE received the flag on behalf of the company, and responded as follows :-
MR. TIIORNLEY:-I receive, sir, with emotions of pride and feelings of gratitude, this
appropriate present. The thought is a happy one, and its execution is equal to the
conception, and the day of its presentation most opportune. There is not a man attached
to this company, who does not feel a11d know, that the equipments which he wears
cover not only his own character, but the character of the company to which he belongs,
the noble Fire Department of which he is a part, and the State of which he is a citizen.
Noting these things, it devolves upon each and all of us to do and act like men. And if
the considerations which I have stated are not sullicient to keep men within due bounds, I
shall ask them to look upon this flag; and if this be not a talisman to keep them right, I
know not what I can offer them. I accept this gift of the ladies of the Fifth lVard, and
you may say to them that the Hibernia Fire Company will keep, honor and glory in it, and
if need be, rally to it when called upon to act, whether against a domestic traitor or a
foreign foe, and bear it aloft in the thickest of the fight.
The ceremony of presentation having been concluded, at the suggestion of Col. PAGE,
nine cheers and a “tiger” were given for the flag a11d its donors, and the standard having
been placed in the care of a veteran of the Mexican war, the line of marcl1 was taken up in
the following order :--
A DOUBLE PLATOON OF THE RESERVE CORPS OF POLICE IN THEIR
NEW UNIFORMS, COMMANDED BY LIEUT. HENDERSON.
BECK’S BAND.
CHIEF MARSHAL PAGE.
THE MEMBERS OF TIIE COMPANY.
THE STEAM ENGINE AND TENDER, DRAWN BY FOUR FINE BLACK HORSES WITH
WHITE PLUMES UPON TIIEIR HEADS.
There were thirty men of the Fifth lVard Police upon duty, besides the Reserve Corps,
and their services were needed, for the. crowd was immense.
lVhen passing the State House, on the route to Market street wharf, where the company
embarked, they were reviewed from the steps of the Mayor's Oflice, at the corner of Fifth
and Chestnut streets, by Mayor Henry. An open space was kept clear in front of the
steps, by a double line of Lieutenants of Police thrown out by Chief Ruggles. As the
procession passed, the members of the company saluted the Mayor, and the compliment was
returned by his Honor.
“To assist the suffering and protect the weak."