Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-07-20

masses. Already we have the echo of
, a million voices, acknowledging their
strong affection, and asserting their
: stern resolution to perpetuate and
maintain the Republic. Already a
thrill of patriotism is animating the
heart of every patriot in the land. If
the principles of civil and religious lib
f erty are held sacred and inviolated, it
will be because tho examples before
us have maintained them.
: Already these benign influences have
been made apparent in every city, town
and village in the North. And from
our own village-from our own firesides
and homes, as noble sons Of the soil as
ever sympathized in just cause, have
proffered their services in behalf of
their country, and expressed their will
llngness to subscribe on the ensign Of
American liberty, from the gushing
fountains Of their lives, the motto,-
"Our Union-Now or Never" Thus
they speak, and give US evidences of
their patriotism, never to be forgotten.
Some of them are yet with us, others
have already gone. We will ever be
mindful Of the fact that we owe to them
all (as defenders of the Constitution, II
respective OF party Or rank) debt Of
National gratitude, and they are in
common entitled to receive, and to re-
ceive impartially our warmest feelings
Of admiration and respect. The same
interest impels them to make many
sacrifices; they are alike governed by
the same impulses, (namely) the de-
fence Of constitutional right, and for
this they are willing to sever the cord
which so closely binds them to the
fondest associations of life, and while
the rushing waves Of sentiment benumb
their speech, they mingle their tears
with their friends inspiring convictions
that all most near and dear to humani
ty shall be sacrificed to protect, main
tain, perpetuate and establish the honor
Of the Union.
At the conclusion of this address, the pro
fcession was ordered to reform and march to
the table, as shower was falling. The rain
prevented much anticipated enjoyment at the
table. 1t was impossible to wait upon such
large crowd as rapidly as desirable, and few
who could not obtain seats a. the first table
were seantily provided for, although plenty of
provender was on the ground. Dinner over,
the vast concourse found their way back to the
speakers stand, and DR.. G. F. Wittcr made the
following speech:
IN,.. President and Eelzou Cjtize1as }:
We meet together to day to Gel
ebrate this the S5th anniversary Of
the birth Of the American Republic,
as we never before have met. We un
derstand and realize the Importance Of
this day as we never before have
For eighty successive anniversaries our
land has been vocal with the shouts of
freedom and the soul inspiring song of
liberty and independence. For eighty
years we and our Fathers have been
blessed With a Government of which
these is no parallel in history. The
blessings of religious liberty, of univer-
sal education, of civil freedom, of
prosperity almost too uninterrupted have
been so lavished upon us that this lit
orally has been new world, where the
human race has been placed IN cir
cumstances such as it has never known
in any other country nor in any other
age.
For forty years consecutively, this
country has enjoyed the substantial
blessings of peace. Meantime, there
have been Indian hostillties on the
frontiers - troubles with Spain res
pecting Florida and Cuba-unworthy
meraces of France, and one serious
, collision with Mexico but nothing
. which either aroused the passions or
taxed the strength Of the nation. In
, every case, the end was clearly visible
, from the beginning. No mother, save
? among ournewests settlements in the wild
E west. has clasped her babe to her bo-
som in fearful apprehension OF dea1h
by shot or stab. No wife has felt con-
strained to bid her husband leave his
) family t. God while he gave his life
to the preservation OF his country
, Men have entered the army Or navy,
as they have entered the various pro-
, fessions-from choice or taste, from
pride or ambition not because they
| felt this to be the path Of imperative
, duty.
= For the last forty years, we have
looked out with lofty pity, and Olym-
S plan serenity on the strifes and con-
5 tentions OF the old world-its unsteady
, thrones, It's transitory popular uprls-
: ings, It's frequent wars, its frowning for
, tresses and garments rolled in blood.
5 With what complacency have we
4 not contrasted our few skeleton reg
: iments Of regulars and petty navy with
, the enormous armies Of Russia Or Aus
r tria, the gigantic fleets Of Great Brit
t ain, the exhausting armaments alike
g by sea and land of Martial France