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

and from this later baptism of fire and blood, the
country has emerged, and we are here to honor
those who fell in the struggle.
By the faces of the mothers and daughters and
sisters and wives of soldiers gathered this occa-
sion, am reminded of incidents occurring on my
first field of battle. six years ago to-day. saw on
the field stiff in death, soldier from Georgia, with
an open Testament clasped in his hand TWAS not
opened at any particular passage, but at the pag
where he had placed the last letter from his wife
Another soldier, of Sickles' command, held in the
letter from his home in the North. An officer of
our own regiment, when we were ordered to double
quick into the fight, took from his pocket the pic
ture of his wife and kissed it as bullet sped to his
heart. Recalling these incidents, think of the
theory held by some scientific men that the eye
tains after death the impression of the last object its
gaze was fixed upon in hfe What volumes of praise
to the charity, devotion and beautiful selfsacrce
of the noble women of America are compressed in
the idea that their images have been borne to Di-
vnty itself by departed souls of heroes. And as we
see the results of the toll and sacrifices of the SOL
diers,-a Union restored and peace returned to the
land would you call back to life, If you could, the
noble deadl Would you roll back the events of the
past six years and reopen the strife Of that day
would you, for the sake of having them with you
again. be willing to see the Union discovered the flag
dsgraced and the whole land filed with gloom and
agony! Could call on the brave spirits who have
gone to their last Sleep to ask if they would be re-
stored at such sacrifice, they would say never,
never, neveri
My friends, the light that shines around the graves
shall never go into the paths of treason and rebel
ion Let the light of patriotism shining from their
graves llumine our pathway and strengthen our
love of country. When patriotism is dead, all is
lost. When we no longer possess brave men, and
braver women to send them forth under their coun-
trys flag; when we have to rely upon hirelings and
mercenary soldiers to defend our liberties, we will
have no liberties worth defending.
Let us hope that the Lesson of to-day may quen
party strife and strengthen our devotion to the
great American Republic.
Benedicion was pronounced by the Rev.
Mr.. WYKEs, and the crowd dispersed to
strew flowers on the graves. This beautiful
ceremony was performed not only by the
committee of ladies, but by hundreds of
others. All the soldiers graves were cover
ed with flowers and evergreens, and their
monuments and tombstones hung with gar
lands and wreaths. When it was completed
the procession reformed and moved to the
old Burying Ground, where, after prayer
and song by the choir, Mr.. WINsLow made
a brief address.
Flowers were then strewn on the graves,
and at their leisure the people dispersed for
their several homes. Let US hope that the
custom of paying tribute to the momory of
the gallant dead, thus publicly and success
fully inaugurated, may be adhered to here
after, and that it may be an occasion on
which all classes and parties can cordially
unite. After the crowd dispersed, large
number visited the private burying ground
of Mr.lANM WILLIAMS, on the east side of the
river, where two of his sons, who fell in the
service, are buried, and the graves of his
brave boys were appropriately adorned with
floral tributes.