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Excerpt from The Youth in the Rebellion: Address Before Geo; H. Ward Post 10, G. A. R.; June 3, 1883 Men do not die for pieces of bunting only. Daily our factories can turn out thousands of yards. Alternately striped with red and white, with stars clustering on the corner field of blue, that object symbolizes all that brave men cherish most. Home, wife, children, parents, country, all the words that linger longest and sweetest on the lips, are suggested in its gorgeous dyes. Under it, the oating ship becomes American territory. To its protection have ed the oppressed of all nations, and, through the results of the civil war, the last mockery of our long-vaunted liberty was swept away, and the quondam slave could look to it and live. Jealously guarded by valiant hearts, the battle-line was formed on it. To the left or right the eyes of the advancing soldiers were cast to see that they were moving steadily with their colors. If they kept pace with the ag, they did their duty, and the true soldier looked well to see that he did not leave the field before his standard. Its bearer cut down by hostile shot or shell, it has been eagerly seized, lest its folds should touch the ground, and again borne forward, and, though its guard knew that death was the lot of him who bore it, yet it wanted not a bearer. There, come up to that! Said the color-sergeant of the Massachusetts Ninth at Fredericks burg, as he placed his colors far in advance of his wavering regiment, and, filled with enthusiasm at the deed of their gallant comrade, the men rallied and conquered. When all but honor was lost the ag has been concealed on the person of its keeper, and there hidden from foeman's eyes all through the horrors of Libby and Andersonville, till a return to liberty has permitted its unfurling. To preventits capture or soiling, its custodian has wrapped it about himself, and, though weak and wounded, crawled on hands and knees to friendly lines. Looking towards it as borne steadily forwa