Daily Evening Star

Empire Club-Flag Presentation.-This spirited club of young men paraded through our principal streets yesterday afternoon, to the music of the 'ear-piercing fife and spirit-stirring drum,' presenting a fine appearance in their neat uniform of black pants and frock coat, white vest, and cloth cap, the club being under the command of their marshal, Mr. Geo. Bell. Previous to the parade, they were presented with a splendid American flag, by Miss Ann Maria Mann, with the following pertinent little speech:

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Empire Club: Permit me to present to you the American Flag-the Stars and Stripes-and to ask your acceptance of it as the most appropriate gift that can be bestowed on an American. I have an abiding confidence, gentlemen, that should an emergency require, it will be in hands that will unfurl and maintain it against the enemies of our beloved country-for there is not an American heart but what feels a thrill of pleasure in beholding it, and sends up to Heaven a fervent prayer that the

'Star Spangled Banner. O! long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.'

With many good wishes for your success, I now bid you adieu.

The flag was received from the hands of the fair donor by the president of the club, Mr. Daniel McCarty, who replied as follows:

Miss: We cheerfully and gratefully accept the beautiful gift, the flag of our country, and, being presented by a lady, it reminds us of 'the times that tried men's souls,' which flag, by the help of heaven, and the parting blessing and encouraging prayers of woman, the strong arms of our forefathers were nerved to maintain, until now we can boast of its floating on every sea, and respected in every land. We are strongly reminded of the sacrifices made and the hardships endured by the women of the revolution, in order to sustain that emblem of liberty, the stars and stripes; and should it ever be assailed, we will try to maintain it, at the sword's point and the cannon's mouth, ever relying upon the wives and daughters of America for food and raiment, and such other encouragement as they know better how to bestow, than we to ask for.