The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1864-02-18

ence. Constantly in the presence Of dan
ger, frequently surrounded with death u
its most ghastly forms, with n keen sens,
Of the uncertain tenure Of life ard feel
ings, the weight Of the mighty issues de
pending upon him, the soldier "distinctly
pcrceives the heights uf tho absolute IL
the horrson of his contemplation, mn,
hos n terrible view Of the infinite noun
tain" His soul becomes strangely de
vclUp ID. Wonderful aud terrible trial
from which the feeble came out infumout
while the strong come out sublime. Wa
lie a crucibe into which destiny casts. {
man when she desires a scoundrel or
demi.god.
The re-enlsted veterans ure the mel
who have endured the test and who h v,
come out sublime, who at the end Of tn,
war will be heroes, and in history, dcmi
gods.
Only when present events shall huv,
become history, will your tremendous re-
spOnsibiliiics become fully apparent, an,
the value of your services be fuirly ap
preciuted. Our fathers laid the founda
tons Of mighty empire, the empire o
freedom, liberty, equality and education
They laid these foundations deep in the
principles Of justice and right, and rear
ed upon them n structure which has been
the pride and boast Of Americans, and the
wonder aud admiration Of the wtr d, un.
cxImpled prosperity has attended oui
national progress, aud in power aud in1u
enco We had become the rivals of the
great overs Of Europe.
The name Of American was our pride
and our boust, and the grand idea OF
American unity and American nationali.
ty had become, with all true and good
citizens, n passion Of the soul, more en-.
during thnn life, and stronger than death.
This passion gave TO our patriotism
an intenscr glow, greater tcnacty ol
life, and will to ov, rcomo every
obstacle which lays in our path to empire
and greatness. And this intensity and
tcnacity were necessary to enable VI to
go through, without laltcring, the bnp-
tsm of fire and blood which awaited US
us nution.
In the geihSemdne of cur cuuntry's suf-
fcring, on the calvary of her cruclicion
by her iuvorcd children, when the sky
was dark, the sun aud moon obscurod,
aud the favor of heaven appeared to be
withdrawn from her, this passion Of pu-
triolc devotion aud national pride has
been her mnistering angel, supporting
aud sustaining her, until at last the morn
ing of the r, sure ction breaks upon us
aud this bright angel bcckous us onward
ard upward to yet higher and nobler
d, stiny,
Shall we follow our spirits in the path
she indicates, or shall we yield up to q
desire for peace, all this bright, happy
and great fulurcl BY your enlistment,
reterdn soldiers, you have answered this
inquiry. With your swords and mus
kcls crossed above Che graves Of your
fallen comrades, beneath the banner
Of our nationality, with God MS your
Judge aud the nations OF the earth
Tor your witnesses, you have sworn that
the unity and nationality of America shall
endure .forerer. While in the line oI
your nrduuus duties, let this thought com.
fort YOU. The noble women OF the States
which have remained true TO their nllc'
glance, urc untiring in their labors o.
love for your welfare. They labor day
und night, almost without ccasing, in th,
interest OF tho soldier, and II is they wh'
most gladly welcome you home again
They spread for you the icstal board an'
arranged this reception, and with loyiri
hearts and gentle words, will cheer an,
cnliven your stay among us. The wei
being OF the soldier seems to huve absorb
cd all things else with them, aud they ar
hare, PsO1SY,Sc0 ,irstou Iur 'tItc wtT,, an
ut the close of the war, the unmarric
ones intend 10 ro-cnlist as veterans, no
In the service of Uncle Sam, but OF Un
Gle Sans nephcws.
Rejoice then, soldiers, and be of goo,
cheer, for you are rcnping reward whicl
shall make your names illustriUus in Tn,
annals of history, aud give to your chill
dren after you, proud pre-, mine nc,
among their fellow cOuutrymcn.
But amid the joy und glOdncss of thi
festive occasion, let us not forget th,
heroic dead. Many of your number ar,
not permitted TO return " ith you to HON,
and friends. Peacefully they slecp il
soldiers graves, halo of glory surround,
thoir'numes. We drop for them the tcar
OF regret, aud extend our sympathies tc
their sorrowing friends, who cannot
greet them here tonight. History will
erect their monuments, and a grateful
country honor and cherish their memo
RIGS.
On behalf Of your fellow countrymon,
soldiers, and especially of the ladies whu
nro organized MS society, for your aid
and ameliuratiun, | welcome you to our
county, 10 our city, our homes and our
heurls, wishing you joy and pleasure u,
hnmc, aud speedy end to your wOrlikc
tolls, when you can return TO us to 20 out
no more 10 the field Of strife and danger.
onco again | say, you are welcome
home
Col. Gibson responded in behalf Of his
regiment, in his own peculiar style, Tho
Col. acted very much as parent who
meets n long absent child. He was over
joyed, proud, triumphnn, and little cx.
cited. He said, us nearly as we could
catch his words:
FELLow CITIZENS;
have the proud satisfaction Of intro
ducing to ycu the heroes, who at Shiloh
and Corirth Levcr ilinchcd during the
bloody carnage of those hard Tough, bat.
ties, who, on tho terrible field Of Stone
River, stood firm against the overwhclm.
ing forces Of the enemy, who, nj Chlcka.
maugu, stood by the flag OF our country
and sustained the gallant Thomas, rud
who, at Mission Ridge, were among the
first who charged up the steep ascent 81
the rebe. stronghold, and aided in the
route of the army Of Gen. Bragg,
These boys have fourished their bOyo-
nets in the very face of the foe, aud
pierced The rebel gunners while in the
very act of loading their pieces.
They have been where dangers we're