The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1868-06-05

The list of the honored dead, Just announ eed
contains many dear personal friends the mention
of whose names here has awakened emotions that
unfit me to speak and almost choke e-utterance. You
will pardon me, therefore, for breyity, and imper-
fections of thought and speech.
1t was a noble impulse which prompted the sur
viving soldiers of the late for American Lber-
y and Unon to thus do honor at the graves of their
departed comrades. And the means by which it is
to be done; decking their last resting places with
earth's brightest and sweetest flowers was as hap
py in conception as the motive noble.
By the ceremonies we not only honor ourselves
and the dead, but assure the surviving soldiers
mingled with us, of a peoples gratitude and that
brance, We do well to strew flowers on the graves of
the children of the Republic; the martyrs, In the
book of nature, where every emotional, mental and
spiritual quality of humanity may find its cores
pondence and illustration flowers represent good
affections, thoughts and intentions toward Others
As the flower precedes the fruit and gives notice of
its coming good thoughts, affections and inten-
tions precede and give promise of deeds in love to
others. These cherished dead are now beyond the
reach of our good deeds; to bring fruits to them
would be vain, but to indulge good thoughts and
affections toward them, should enlarge our souls
and wake in our breasts more vigorous determin-
alton to sacrifice ourselves for the good of Others
The indulgence in such thoughts and intentions
may lead to act and speak that those who
come after will be encouraged by our instruction
and example to sacrifice themselves if need be-
when the good of the country and liberty shall de-
mand it,
The great attendance on this occasion from far
and near attests the fact, that the suggestion was
only the publication of sentiment and desire latent
in every loyal heart and already, yearning for
preston. 1t seems as If the people were moved by
one spontaneous impulse to come up and manifest
their thanks to those who died that the nation
might live. The fathers and mothers the widows,
the orphans, and the atfianced of the dead heroes
are here They visit again the sacred ground where
their brightest hopes and the objects of their fond
est affections are buried. The whole people have
come with them to acknowledge their gratitude for
their sacrifices and tOrt
The flag OF the Union, the glorious Stars and
Stripes upon the grave of every departed soldier
here, and seems If it would almost stir to life
again the heart that could utter with his expiring
breath:
"Then wrap the flag around me, boys,
To die will be most sweet,
With Freedoms starry emblem, boys,
To be my winding sheet"
While doing honor to those heroes whose mortal
remains are buried here, we must not forget that
many of our patriotic braves are buried in far dis
tant localities perchance in the terrible exigences
of war some were never buried and their bones are
mouldering where they fell. Let us, therefore now
and here proclaim that our offerings are tokens of
gratitude, not only to those buried us, but to
every brave soldier who lost his life in the cause of
the Union. Let us extract some wisdom from the
hour and the occasion.
Why were these brave men sacrificed, Nothing
nor less, my friends, than to settle an error in
craftsmanship. By false teaching, two conflicting
ideas were taught amongst the people and arrayed
them in hostile parties. This is no time nor place
10 discuss p0ltledl questions, but lest be mlSun-
derstood let me say, that this conflict on one side
was that we were not nation but confedera-
ton of sovereign States, which at all times have the
right to withdraw from the Union. On the other
side it was eontended that the United States has
nationality, common constitution, a common flag,
with government having the right to enforce its
own laws and preserve its existence by force against
all enemiess within or without. These two ideas
moved the contending hosts the battefeds of the
late, terrible conflict of By the sword it is
decided that we HAVE a common country, q common
A.. - TT,s,~, oGA O..
Of sand, but bond strong that no foe can break
it.
Let US all then accept the teachings Of the hour,
expel from our minds the faacy it has cost so much
to settle and here by the graves of these martyrs to
hberty-inspired by the sacrifices they have made,
resolve, that cost what it may this Union must and
shall be preserved"
AT The conclusion of Mr.. EvERErT's speech,
there was another song by the choir. Mr..
HoRD then addressed the assemblage as fol-
lows;
LADIES AND GESTLEMES:-The latepess of the
hour and the importance of the duties yet to be per-
formed, admonish me not TO detain you any great
length Of time. am glad to perform the share al
lotted to me in this days proceedings. We have
met to strew flowers, the mementOes of our af-
fection on the graves of fallen heroes. By this we
testify to their living comrades whom we eNhorted
in the name of Country, Christianity and our Revo-
lqonary fathers to go forth to do battle for the flag
that those were idle words, but meant that they
should ever have dwelling place in our hearts, No
idle curiosity has prompted this immense gathering
the impulse which has brought here is the maifi-
spring to the highest action We celebrate the life
and patriotic devotion of those who died that this
Nation might live. We mourn not Us if they had |
died in vain; they not lost to us; their images
fervently cherished not alone by their near and
dear friends but by the whole community and their
patriotism and devotion will live for all time.
All people in all ages, OF all religions and all ma
tons have paid the highest respect and honor TO the
Of those who died for Liberty, Country |
and the rights of man. They have been heroes nd |
demi-gods before whom the people bowed The |
feeling that prompts this not irregious
1t is an acknowledgment of the great services and
sacrifices of those who were willing to become |
martyrs for the good of their fellows.
Great and lasting good can be accomplished only |
at the cost of great sacrifices. No people ever Sc
cured liberty but by the shedding of blood All the
kingdoms of the world to-day that are enlightened
and powerful, have reached their pre-
through oceans a blood flowing for CEN
tures to the bride-bits of their horses It is the
price of national life, of the supremacy of law and
order, and the predomnance of right over might. |
Our own Republic was founded and established after
eight long years of bloody strife and when we look
back over cur record we find the impershable names
to be those who like Warren shed their blood for |
their country. Without the shedding of blood
without men who were uninfuenced by selhshness, |
but only prompted by love of eountry-no great |
good could be accomplished. Before we could en-
ter upon the fulfllment of destiny, it became
necessary that We should 60 to further fields