One of the most attractive features of the fair here this week was the presentation on Thursday (Sept. 19) of the colors of the 34th Battalion by the County of Ontario, and of a citizens’ gift to the officers and men by the citizens of the Town of Whitby. It is now 27 years since the gallant 34th was so favored, on which occasion the wife of the late Hon. T. N. Gibbs presented colors, which were displayed by Major Farewell amid cheers.
The first part of yesterday’s ceremony was to line up the redcoats and band on the platform, after which the Warden, H. J. Gould, came forward at the head of the county councilors. The band played the national anthem, and Rev. J. H. Broughall blessed the colors and offered a most appropriate prayer.
Mr. Warden Gould then stepped forward and said it was a great pleasure to him as official head of the county to lead in honoring this fine battalion, and to show our loyalty for the flag of this great empire, upon which the sun never sets. True patriotism requires that those who love a country shall know its past history, and the antecedents of the British flag have covered it with glory in every part of the world. We enjoy all our great privileges because of the power that backs that
Presentation of Colors to 34th Battalion
flag, and let us as private citizens see to it that we make the best of our freedom. Those who fought on the many battle fields to make our rights secure were certainly better patriots than we. Our country spends large sums to equip our army and navy, but to be prepared is the best means of avoiding war, and our commerce demands protection, and we in this country are proud to be able to come forward and do our share.
The warden then presented the colors to Lieuts. Theodore King and G. Glover, who received them with one knee to earth.
Major Farewell in reply gave the history of the 34th battalion from the time of Wallace, Dartnell, Warren, Fairbanks, etc., to the present. Only once has the 34th been called to arms in 1866 – to repel the Fenian invasion. He spoke of the enthusiastic manner in which they turned out then, and of the personal sacrifices the call entailed upon our brave officers and men. He recited the list of battle fields all the way from Quebec to Battleford upon which our volunteers have nobly sustained their honor and courage as defenders of Canada, and prophesied that the future of our brave boys would be quite as glorious.
Reeve King then presented to the officers of the 34th a collection of silver cutlery for the mess consisting of 216 pieces, and a silver
Presentation of Colors to 34th Battalion – Page 3
trophy 20 inches high for the non-commissioned officers and men to win in rifle competitions. He said that the feeling in Whitby towards the 34th was of the best possible description. We are proud to have boys in camp here, and sorry when they went away. Their fine discipline and noble conduct had inspired the people of Whitby with a desire to make them a present of some sort.
Mayor Rutledge replied for the non-commissioned officers and men, and Captain Wm. Smith M.P. for the officers, each fully expressing this gratitude of the recipients.
The speeches throughout were most eloquent, and full of historical references, and were loudly applauded.
