Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-03-30
Col. Opdycke.

SstdDllsnment OF j.. NautrOt q To-, as the
token, on which was beautifully engraved,
Presented to Col. E. opdycke. by bis
friends in Warren, for his worth as al
man, and his gallant services in the field.
On Monday evening last a number Of
ladies and gentlemen repaired TO the res
idence of Col E. and after taking posses
sion, W. o. Forrist, Esq, on behalf Of
those present. spoke as follows:
LADIES ASD GENTLEMEN 1T seems to
me that this cruel war has presented to
us no incident of more moCrnful or thrill
ing interest than that of the return Of the
veteran volunteer, upon furlough 10 his
wife and children, his home, and the as
sociations of peaceful life, and after such
forlough has expired. his adieu, his good
bye to al these, and his cheerful march
under q new enlistment to the front, "a
meet all the vicisitudes of war that may
befau a hero.
The return to his duty of q veteran vol
unteer from all he loves, il, and must be,
in performance Of duty, stern and un-
yielding only, and not from a love of nov
city, or the result OF q capricious impulse,
for his experience of the privations of the
camp-its exposures and privstions-the
WEAKNESS of the march amid winter
storms, or burning suns, and the dangers
and horrors of the battle field, during s
term of three years service, would ban
ish the one, and fetter the other. Duty
only prompts the act, and an act per-
formed as the result OF duty, Is always
glorious.
And in such return of q colder, who by
resson of bis experience, is OF all soldiers,
the most valuable, is a promise to the pat
riot, that in such hands, government
and all the institutions were of it, must.
and will be safe: that while between our
hearth-stones aud families, and peril, ar
army Of such stands, ours is safety and moi
peril,-is peace and not the turmoil OF
war.
We know that while our army, which
has so nobly fulfilled all its engagements
with the government, during three years
of ardent endeavor, has only diminished
the proportions of the rebellion moi
crushed, and are still willing TO and have
so generously e-volunteered, this govern,
ment shall not only not want for defend.
ers. but in the Tea future, this wicked
rebellion shall live only in history.
We are here, this evening, my friends,
all unhidden by our host, because he, Col.
Opdycke, is one of the most valuable ot
such volunteer veterans, has been here,
at his home, in the midst of his family,
dear to him. as TO us.-and to-mor-
( row, on the early train, he leaves, cheer
full and hopeful, under orders 10 take com
mand of his regiment, and head it during
the future of this war, wherever duty call
him and il.
We would not, if we could, forget
Stone River, Chickamauga or Missionary
Ridge, and a whole column of other IL
| lustrious fields of battle, on which he
fought, and won ~laurels, and thoughtful
of these, we know that wherever else his
duty calls him, all our sterling interests
in his hands, will be safe.
He goes from US, leaving behind q low
ing wife. q darling child, q pleasant home
with a thousand charms, for the dangers,
casualties and horrors of the battle field,
! not because he loves family and home
less, but his country more, from an abiding
sense of duty, that al he is, and all he
has, belongs to his country. now in Its
hour of most imminent peril.
We are here, because We know his
worth as a man, his valor and heroism as
an officer, and as ne leaves, would return
him our thanks. for his services, and sac
ri6ces, and proffer him our good wishes.
with our farewell, as he goes.
Col. OPDYcKE:-We are here for the
still further purpose, to testify 70 you,
personally, our high esteem for you. in all
the varied relations of life, to say to you
on the eve of your departure, that we
could not do ourselves justice, should We
not make to you, here in the midst OF
your family, where you are most appreci-
ated, some gift, as a testimonial of the
sincerity Of your words. which you may
bear with you in your absence from US,
and which, under all circumstances, may
be a constant remembrance, that by
friends at home you are not forgotten
And now in discharge of q pleasant duty,
with which / am interested, in the name
and on behalf your numerous friends, /
present you this watch and chain, please
accept and wear it, and when amid the
roar of cannon, and the clangor of arms,
you feel it press against your heart, may
1t make your heart calm, your eye steady,
and your arm strong, with the assurance
(which it shall bring, that friends at home
live and have confidence in you, and that
each blow you strike, Is one for home and
friends. And now, sir, good bye, and
may you live to see this war over, peace
established, and come back to live with
your friends to a ripe old age, in the full
enjoyment of that liberty which your
bravery and heroism has and will do SC
much to preserve.
To which Col. o, in a manner which
not only proved that he appreciated the
gift, but the sentiments of the donors, re-
piled:
/ am not accustomed to utter nv
thoughts publicly, and if 1 were, my
mind could hardly construct sentences
adequate TO express to you, ladies and
gentlemen, the profound thanks my
heart feels for this beautiful and valuable
gift, and especially, for the feeling which
promted it. Your kindness to me, your
hattering appreciation of my humble
services, for the liberties and Union of
the country, and the eloquent words you,
sir, have been pleased TO use in their ex-
preston, leave me little TO desire, except
future opportunity TO merit this generos-
ity Of confidence and esteem.
l deem it a high privilege to live in this,
the heroic age of the nation, and the hon.
or you have conferred upon me this
night, will at all times remind me that
those whose good viii ! most covet, ex-
pect me TO be true to the nations ensign
until the bow of peace shall arch the Re-
public. and upon it appears in letters,
which shall endure for eVer-"not a star
erased nor stripe polluted"
The occasion was one of much inter
est, and will not~soou be forgotten by
any of the participants.
Sale OF Liquor on Election days.
Gov. Brough has had published the re-