Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-03-03
Celebration Of the ..22d'' in Delaware.

On Wednesday evening, 22d ult, in &C
cordauee with arrangements made by the stu
dents of the Ohio Wesleyan University, aud
by their invitation, large cOncourse OF ladies
and gentlemen assembled at Templar Hall to
commemorate the birthday of GEORGE WASH.
INGroN.
The exercises consisted Of appropriate mu
sic by fine band, under tie leadership of Mr.
PHINNEY. sentiments and speeches from mem
bers Of the various classes, which were truly
edifyiDg and duly appreciated by those 10 at
! tendance. JAMES E. STEWART had been chosen
by his fellow-students to preside over the ex-
ercises of the evening, which duly he dis
charged with great credit to himself and to the
| occasion.
The entire affair was well conceived, and very
creditable, indeed, to the students We have
been furnished with the sentiments read and
speeches made, which will be found annexed.
Hon. G.. V. DORSEY, of Columbus, was, at the
close of the speeches, introduced as the orator
of the evening.
AFCpUItStOI3 DcptHCHEefT.
Toast, read by W. @. JoNEs, Robinson, ILL.,,
"Our Solders-may their memory ever be
cherished and honored by ali lovers of Liberty"
RESPONSE by 7. G. REED, Marion. 0.
The chosen symbol of our Union is that
bright constellation which bedeckes our
National Banner; those thirty-six stars speak
of as many powerful States united by mutual
agreement for the defense of their common
liberty. These States were originally few
and feeble, but their number and their strength
increased through more than half century,
until at the breaking ont of the rebellion they
constituted the mightiest power on the face of
the Globe. America was then the wonder and the
glory of the whole world. Her motto was
liberty protected by law, and her subjects en-
joyed civil and religious freedom. Here crime
was punished and obedience rewarded here
education was patronized here labor looked
up, and was proud in the midst of his toll |
here the poor found home and the oppressed
an asylum. America furnished every boon
which her subjects could desire, unless it-l
should be rest to the guilty eonscience-the |
wicked are never centented. When Satan had
conceived sin he became dissatisfied with
heaven, and rebelled against the government |
of God, so when southern demagogues had for |
q long series of years been poiluting their |
hands and blackenipg their hearts by the sin !
of oppression, they became dissatisfied with an |
earthly paradise, and rebelled against the gov
ernment of the United States. They put /
forth their hands determined to sever the gold |
en- cord which had held these States together.
They founded their hope of success on the
that the cons OF the north had be-
come SO welded to peace that they would sub
init even TO a division of the Union rather
than irauguIate war, or that if they should
they Wonld lack the bravery and perseverance
TO their success, and that after few
fruitless attempts, they would become dis
couraged and leave them to their independence.
1t is well for our nation ard for the world
that they were disappointed with their sue
cess the crown of American glory would have
fallen, and she would ever after have been a
Kissing and bye word. Had We submitted
to division OF our Union, our independence
would have been hOzarded, our liberty imperil-
ed, and sooner or later we would have fallen
victim to some foreign power. Our authori-
ties were awake 20 these facts and when the
schemes of traitors were so far developed as to
leave no possibility Of mistaking their inten
tiOn, they called upon the loyal people of the
north to defend their country. Our ancestors
who purchased this country with their lives,
and cemented these States together with their
blood cried aloud to US from the dust TO de-
fend our Union and from east to west
through every loyal State the sons of freedom
answered back ''this Union shall be maintain
ed" In vain did designing knaves cry "peara
peace" In vain did the faint-hearted mutler
'peace"--the true American asked no
peace, desired no peace, would accept no
peace, until his country was again uni
ed. The question once at issue and our
patriot braves were ready to meet it. The
ignal OF war once sounded from Sumpter, and
hey steel their hearts and nerve their arms
or the fight. They come pouring down from 8
he mountains of the east /; they come rising i
rom the prairies Of the west, beating their G
march southwark, determined to vanquish re- Q
'ellion and save their country or perish in Il
he attempt. We need not marvel that they |
we're mixed multitude of young and old, OF d
ich and poor E; if they had been moved by ?
mbition 'he youpg alone would have engag- ;
d in war if they had taken up arms for pal Il
Fy gain the rich would not have been found P
D their numoer. But being moved by pure ?
evotion to their country there was 40 hOuor- Il
bic class but had its represent tatives in that d
rmy. The husbandman had letI his sod un. u
urned, and the plow standing in the furrow. e
he mechanic had laid away his tools to rust P
the student had placed his books in order, c
md turned the key upon bis library-the
Minister had laid aside the saeredotal garb, P
nd substituted the royal bne all had left ?
he endearmeUts of home, aud under the old u
ag were marching to the conflict Since then G
,ur years have passed, and we to night look o
ack upon the results of their undertaking.
re behold them submitting to exposure OF the O
amp, bearing the fatigue of the march, endur- II
lg cold and hunger, with that fortitude which 1t
be virtue of their cause alone could inspire "
Te see them barring their bosoms to the mis- az
les of death upon hundred battle fields, aud o.
Though their work is not yet complete, they u
ave shown that perseverng energy which must III
BON insure them success But, many arms te
hich fought for freedom shall wave the sword "
0 more many tongues which shouted on the
lorous cause are silent now in death-many
f our soldier braves are sleeping in an enc
lies land, we know not where /; but spirits
right from the eternal world do guard their Ell
umbers fairy hands shall twine a laurel m
reath about their graves, honor plant bis bl
hoicest rose to blossom over their heads, and