The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-09-21
From the Daily Of Aonday r.,
The Soldiers Dinner!
.SPE6CHTHS OF GOV. S. J. KIREWOOD
'"' W AND HON. j. +. WILSON.

iSPEbSJHESOFGOp IS. J, hIRh WOOD
AND HON. j, F. WILSON. &c..
=, The morning was cloudy and threatened
rain, but it soon cleared off, the sun came
out, and the day has been pleasant, mod
Grated by a refreshing breeze. TosE@. s-.
Gov. Kirkwood arrived this morning
from Bloomfield, where he spoke on Sat
a. q, urday. ar.. s.-s...~~ q. .@-Enua ". .ar ..a
O. People from all parts OF the county, I'm
eludirg large proportion of the "boys in
hlue," began to arrive at an early hour,
until by noon the city was crowded.
-sr About IL o clock. headed bv q military
band, they marched To ColgRn's Grove.
east Of the city, whore the Union men had
erected large and cnnrnodious stand and
tables. when n dinner, ample i'm abundance
and excellent in quality, was partaken III
until we believe everybody was satisfied
There were probably four thousand on the
ground, including n goodly number of the
fair daughters Of wapello.e The brass band
from Agency, under the lead OF Dr. A. r.
Weir, arrived, and enlivened the proceed
ings by excellent music. The choir Of sew
eral churches, led by Mr.. Theo. Cor,stncE.
executed several pieces Of vocal music in
a very superior manner ~ .1a ..''h9
Hon. f. III. Stiles then took the stand
and welcomed the soldiers of warello
county home, in neat and very appropri-
ate address a. follows: 10 f''...'-
Returned Soldiers of WnpeVo Ghnnty:-
in behalf of the loyal people of this 90 n
ty extend to Won hearty. n cordial, n
heartfelt welcome upon this orcasion-an
occasion selected and prepared hv them for
the purpose of expressing. in slight
measure, the greeting to which You are
entitled. .e' -...a --'-.va fa r" f-
Language Of mine cannot express The
deep feelings Of our obligations, or words
give utterance to our heartfelt gratitude
toward You. -.....s -' .ga'a.
When we remember that for us and our
conntrv,--to defend. preserve and perpet-
uate for us and those that are tocome after
us. this Government of ours --this holy
Temple Of Liberty in which the hopes of
the civilized world are centered; you left
Your homes and fresides, your families.
your kindred, and all that was near and
dear to YOU, 10 place yourself in the van
of battle, to endure the sufferings hard
ships and privntions Of war, and face death
in a thousand forms, orr hearts overflow
with gratitude, and we feel that we owe
you debt that we can never pay. r. ,rt
The Government was assaulted by p most
wicked and causeless rebelliOn--a rebellion
of n slaveholding aristocracy. Gigantic in
proportion. ruthless in character, defiant
in spirit, it made its attack with such force
as to startle the fears of the whole country
and seriously threaten the overthrow OF
the nation. To succor it from this peril
tosuppress this rebellion. to subdue this
proud aristocracy that had drawn the
sword upon the people,-to deliver MS and
orr beloved country from her imperiled
situation. YOU flew to her standard and
commenced battling her foes. The strug-
gle has been mighty, the conflict long and
xrarfnl, attended with the varying fortunes
Of war; rivers of blood have flowed, bill
ions Of treasure have been poured from
the national treasures, but thanks TO YOU
md your comrades strong arms and brave
learts. under the providence Of God, the
rebellion has been suppressed and the ma
tiOnal unity preserved. The last armed
horde Of treason you and your comrades
have overpowered and dispersed; and you,
after having thus saved your country, are
now returned 10 resume the peaceful avo-
cations of society, and enjoy, amid tran
gull scenes the fruits OF yonr triumphs.
The part that Iowa troops have horne in
the egle--their unparalleled endurance
and undannted herOism. have made for
our young State an envable history. and
placed upon her brow the laurels of i'm
perishable renown. -.'#. g..
Soldiers Of Wapello county! To You be-
longs no small share Of this. and we fee!
proud Of the record you have made. a.
But, alas! you are not all here! The
weeds Of mourning that we see around us
tell the sad tale. Many of your brave
comrades that went forth in the blush OF
youth and vigor OF health, sleep the sleep
Of death; some of their graves furrow the
southern country, and some Of their bones
whiton upon Southern fields. "They sleep
their last sleep, they have fought their last
battle" Attribute TO their honored men,-
cries; there is no marble white enough for
their monument, no eloquence adequate
enough TO pronounce their euloginms; the
Genius of Patriotism could have no ex-
ample more worthy OF emulation than
theirs.
We go to the legislative halls OF the Ma
ton, we hear the politician asseverate his
love Of country, we listen to the studied
panegyric of the statesman upon the Union
and the Constitution, and we fear that
some of them at least are more earnest in
word than sincere in sentiment; but we