The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-08-17
Soldiers Picnic.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME By wM. p
CREED, ESQ.
GEN. sRERMANs SPEECH

S6tU SL76thVV NINO VI 6GSit
.weEll attempt a description of
this affair, which came off, on Thurs.
day the 10th inst. The day did not
promise to be very auspicious. A
cloudy sky no doubt warned many TO
stay at home, and heavy showers in
the morning showed that their fears
were well founded.
Early in the morning the people
began to como in, bringing with them
Doubtful rations for tho occasion. In
some cases townships came in in pro.
cossion. and the'delugation from Hook
ing township deserves especial men
ton. =
At 10 o'clock the procession of sol
dicrs formed on Main street, and pre-.
ceded by tho band, marched to the
Fair Ground, followed by large body
of citizens, who joined in the process
sion. Atthe Fair Ground thesoldiers
wero welcomed with an appropriate
and patriotic address by VIM. P. Greed
Esq, delivered in his usual happy and
eloquent manner. AT our solicitation
Mr. Creed has kindly furnished us a
copy of his remarks which we here
present our readers:
Soldiers Of the Arnrjes Of the Union:
To-day we give you welcome. To
do this, am dcputed by the good pco,
pie OF the city and county, and 1
assure you, the privilege of saying to
the bronzed and battle, Scared vcte.
rams of tho war, well done good and
faithful and true men, patriots all, and
OF congratulating you on your safe re-
turn to your old homes, is to me a
real satisfaction.
Nor is it less gratifying to all who
make up this large assembly. 1t was
deemed proper to give TO the returned
veterans and soldiers some substantial
token Of thcir regard, and, for that
purposethe people have gathered them
selves together on this occasion. And
what place more appropriate? Hero,
within sight of where you stand, was
born the great strategist, now present
with you, the measure Of whose fame
is world wide, and here was organized
and sent to the field the first company
in defense of tho Government, under
tho call of the President. Here, il
the county Of Fairfield, the eyes o
many of you first bcheld the light
Hero, within its ancient limits, tho in
fancy Of MANY Of you was Graded
here many Of you grew into man
hood; and here, among these people
) your old neighbors and friends, loya
to the Government, tho heroic dceds o.
you ALL as well those who are in
digcnous to tho soil, as those who
fled tho despotisms Of the old world
to fight for liberty in this, are cher.
shed as tho common property of the
country in which they have and feel Q
most just and honest pride.
We give YOU soldiers of tho Ropub
lie, cordial welcome, but our joy a
your coming is commingled with sor
row for tho loss of your comrades
those who fell at Shiloh, at Stone River
at Chicamauga, at Gettysburg, a
Spottsylvania, ut Mission Ridge, a
Kcncsaw, and on the hundred battle
fields fought for the preservation o
the Union, many of those rest far from
the friends they loved, and who loved
them, with nothing but tho greer
grass and bright flowers of earth tc
: mark tho spots where they sleep,
We minglo our tears with theirs
and sympatiizo with the relatives o
the brave boys, who, having for long
years suffered all tho privations, anc
, passed. through all the perls and dan
gers Of the battle field, almost in tn,
sight of tho homes they loved, and il
, which fond hearts waited thcir com
} ing, were suddenly called into Tho
4 presence of tho living God,
j, May lIc, who tcmpcrs tho wind "
: the shorn lamb. bind up tho bruiscC
{ and broken hearts. The father VIII,
e has boon stricken, tho mother wh'
c mourns hcr lost son, the wife who ha
0 been bcroavcd, and tho sistcr,tho fond
\ doting sister, whose quick car tried e
c catch tho first football Of tho dca
I brother in llcavon-may they be com
y iortcd. Tho loved ones are in tha
h botter land, for il would be an imputa
+ ton on His Justice and mercy to doubt
f that those who fell in tho holiest caus
I are not now at rest in tho bright ant
| better land,
B.. We minglc our tears with thciIs
i and tho atiiiction which bears SO hcav
b lily on them has mado sad the hearts q
= those who were prepared to hail witt
a gladnoss their return. Lightly pres
b the turf that covers them, and ma,
o sweot nJwors, though planted by un
@ seen hands, forever grow and bloom
Q over the dark and lonely spot, wher
Y the warriors sloop.
-Four years ago, soldiers, on tho cal
!. Of your beloved and lamonted Prcsi
. dent, you took up arms in defense O
your country. Then, in her hour O
4 greatest peril and need, you hecde,
y hor call, aud breaking the ties whic)
9 bound you to families and friends, th'
O dearest, tccdorest and holiest ties G
q earth, went forth TO restore tho right
n full authority Of tho Government, am
a redncn tho inSnrrentR To RnhmissiO