Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-06-23
serenade to secretary Chsse.


At IL o'clock on Monday night, Jack
Leland's brass band Of Cleveland, attached
to the l5oth Ohio serensded Secretary Chase
at his residence, corner of Sixth and
X. streets, Washington; and the Secretary,
haylpsappsared to recognize the .compli-
ment, and been warmly greeted by the large
crowed attracted by the impromptu demon.
stration, responded as follows:
IL answer your call my friends. il il
because your kindness requires il of mo, not
because feel in the mood for speaking to-.
night.
Our armies confront, at this very moment,
the armies of tho Rebellion through the
whole long line of operations from the
Potomac to the Chsttshoochie. Even now
they may be engaged in deadly conflict
Every day-almost every hour--brings from
the Geld some dear friend or dear relative
covered with noble wounds, or brings news
that some other friend or relative not less
dear has fallen in the fight. offering his
precious life for the more precious life OF
his country.
My thoughts are with our soldiers in the
battle, in the bivouac, on the march, in the
hospital, or in their early honored graves.
"a voice: rs there any bad dnewsp" No, no
bad news no news but good news; yet even
good news is saddened by the loss OF brave
men.
Ii is but yesterday that a young hero OF
nv own name and blood was borne hither
from the field near Richmond to die. AT
this moment another relative rests awhile
beneath my roof from search for his brave
boy, wounded 10 the same battle. And so il
is with us all-all have near friends, deaf
relatives. who sleep their last sleep, or suffer
in hospitals, or still, full of courage and hope
and patriotic ardor, press the enemy in
heroic conflict. Our thoughts, our sympa'
thies, our aspirations must be with them,
whether they follow persisting Grant to the
capture of Richmond. or impetuous Shcr
man through Georgia to the ocean. and VIC
cannot but feel too deeply for much speak
ing.
Still, let me say word Of the part oul
own honored State--for suppose you are
most Of you, Ohio mon who stand before me
takes in this sacred contest for Union ant
freedom. | bavejust named TIVE Of her son'
who lead our two greatest armies, now driv
ingrebelion, as VIC hope, to its last extremity
need not naUe the other great leaders sht
! has given to the country, nor need reminC
you how, in all the war, Ohio has beer
foremost. No troops came more promptly
into the field than hers; none from so great ,
distance came so quickly to the defense o
this national capital in the dark days
Of 1861.
No state, in proportion TO its population
! has sent forth so many regiments, From nj
State has so many veterans re-enlisted ; ant
lately, when Grant wanted the trained
troops, from the camps and forts within i'm
mediate reach, for service in the field, wha
other State than Ohio furnished her 35 ,00I
volunteers for duty in their room? know
the worth Of this oblation. ] count persona
friends anong the officers and mel
by hundreds. know from what profes
sions, from what business, from wha
employments they come. Every useful an'
honorable avocatoin has contributed it
, quota. Tho best men of the State max
up the rank aud file. Regiment after rcgi
mcnt of them have already gone to the front
May we not, then, indulge an honest prid
that Ohio is our State? Who can hell
T saying, from the very depths of his heart
God bless Ohio and God bless her gloriou
sons who take their lives in theii hands 70
. the salvation of the Republic? If othe
duties detain some of us from sharin,
personally their trials and dangers, let US 81
perform these duties that we, too, may fec
that we have done something for our coun
, try. Then may We join, without shame, il
: building the monuments ofour fallen heroes
in welcoming home the brave men VIII
q return; and in repeating to children and
} children's children the great acts by whic
!, Union and Liberty were saved in Mort
America.