Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-11-02

he donor and the designer of the monu-
ment, the veterans of 1872, the authorities
of Erie, members of the press, &c. Gen.
Alfred B. McCalniot, of Franklin, pre-
/ sided, assisted by numerous Vice Presi-
dents from Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mer-
fcer and Venango counties and Hon. John
Sherman and Capt. Chapman, of Ashta-
bula, Ohio. General McCalmot opened
1 the inauguration ceremonies in a
brief address in which he paid a
deserved tribute to the patriotism and
generous liberslity of Mr.. Rice, and to the
soldiers who have died in defence of the
Union. He directed the unwilling of the
Monument, and all eyes of the vast con-
| course were directed to the beautiful me-
mortal of the dead. The descending au-
tumn sun lit up the marble shaft with
| food of radiance-ft halo for the undving
names of some five hundred of the citizen
soldiers Of Erie county and its vicinity who
never returned with the three regiments of
infantry and the batteries that marched SO
gallantly TO the rescue of the country in its
hour of great peril. 1t was sublime
spectacle.
Governor A. q. Curtin, the Orator of the
Day. followed in a short address that
touched and thrilled every heart He con-
graduated the people that the solemn oc-
casion is marked by a dav Of heavenly
beauty-paid proper tribute to the foun-
der of the monumeht-and passed to a
glowing eulogium onsthe fidelity and ser
vices of the private soldiers of the Union
army, To such menwe owe the perpetuity of
our government. He referred in touching
words to the widows and orphans of the
nd RI f,-f..
that the great body of the people of his |
State never faltered in their loyalty, but |
rallied TO the rescue OF the government in |
the darkest days of its peril and distress.
Gov. g. spoke of human slavery as the |
cause Of the war-said with great empha-
sis that it must now Be entirely and for
ever bl0tted Out-and that all questions
growing out of the war must be SO settled
that we shall never have another contest
to make more widows and orphans. He
believed that if the Mexicans are let alone
they will drive the bogus Emperor into
the Gulf and declared that Napoleon's
course in trying to establish monarchy
on this continent was the direct result of
the shareholders rebellion. Gov. Curtin
closed with some happy personal pleas
antries. He said for five years he had
been travelling the State asking the people
for soldiers or for their votes for himself.
1t was now exceedingly pleasant to meet
them without calling for volunteers or
asking any man to violate his conscience
by voting for him. He said he was now
the only man in the State cphstitutionally
ineligible for Governor, and he felt very
happy 60 greet so many of his fellow
citizens on this occasion, and not as an
office seeker
Gov. Curtin is cne of the able men of
the country, and as popular as able. At
The close of his eloquent address, two
young ladies representing Pennsylvania
and South CRroiins stepped upon the stand
and presented the orator with boquets
Miss Barbara Kaiser as Pennsylvania,
said, Please accept this. 1t is tribute
to the soldiers friend" Miss Dora Nor
lis, as South Carolihai presented her token
of regard in respectful silence. The gal
ant Governor responded with a hearty
Kiss of each fair State, in the presence and
amid the laughter of the great congrega-
ion. The same ladies presented bOquets
o Mr.. Rice, with the sentiment, 1--WE ap-
1reciatc your noble munifcence. Please
lccept this offering" Not TO be outdone |
n gallantry by the Governor, Mr.. :
Rice implanted still heartier kisses
IN theIf not unwilling cheeks, to
he great merriment of his many friends.
This pleasant episode over, Governor
Tod, of Ohio made one his capital short s
peeches which evoked much enthusiasm
md laughter. TO persistent and uni
Yersal call for " Rice the well-known |
gentleman responded and won repeated t
olaudits, making several telling hits at the |
expense of Governor Curtin as well as {
himself. His thanks to the people for the |
interest they had taken in the Girard q
Monument to the brave dead, were hearty I
md heartfelt. Brief but warmly approx S
ng letters were read from President
Lieutenant General Grant and
Major Generals Meade, Sherman and
Hancock, when the well satisfied assembly
,roke ranks and went rejoicing to their t
everal places of abode" -.,- g
In firing the closing salute of 36 guns, I
sad casualty occurred from premature t
discharge. Mr.. Potts, of Ohio, one of the S
annoneers lost ain arm, and was other t
wise severely injured. j. A. H. t