Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-06-10

have, for three quarters OF a century,
deficd the waves OF oppression. We
should have been as new race, with
new laws, new institutions, and his
tory to be written far different from
the one which will now come from the
hand Of the annalist. Now the histor-
ic pen will record that in government
Of the people, BY the people, and prl-
marily for the people, the people have
vindicatel themselves right royalty,
and proved their devotion and PROV
ess. And, OF the awards that shall be
made tor this signal service, not only
to this nation, but to the world and to
the cause OF humanity and freedom, !.
every soldier who took part therein
may take to himself a proportion. But
more especially is each one, who saeri
feed his life for this cause, entitled to
q double share, and we, his comrades
and his friends, should be happy to ac-
cord it to him. We bcstow honor
and epic verses upon that immortal
band OF heroes who toiled through
eight years of war to establish this ma
! tion, and there is no desire to detract,
in the least, from their well deserved
| fame. But not less vas the labor per-
formed, not less the patriotism dis
played, nor less the generosity and
philanthropy shown By those we honor
to-day. Impartial history must record
to the everlasting remembrance of the
early volunteers, that they bore the
burden and heat of the conflict, unin-
fluenced by promises of heavy boun-
ties. But as | trust, they took their
lives in their hands, with firm faith
in the business of their cause, and with
free purpose to give all for the Ma
tional Unity and National Stability
The sacrifices of comfort, health and
life itself, ofttimes, have piled up a debt
Of gratitude due them by the loyal
people, which no ordinary payment
can satisfy. Not money, not land,
not houses nor cattle, can discharge
the debt, nor hardly begin to do So.
There can be no discharge until the
uttermo>t tarthing is paid. 1t can only
be paid in the gratitude Of loyal hearts,
in the offerings that are brought by
loving hands. This simple act that
you are about to do, to-day, If done N
all sincerity and patriotism, and with
proper sense Of your obligations to
those you thus honor, will be to you,
not less than to them, a monument OF
worth. 1t will be graceful acknowl-
edgment of their services, and an ex-
preston of your gratitude.
In this connection l hope it may not
be out of place for me to make a sug
ocstion in regard to our duty to the
departed Look at those banners, on
which are Inscribed the names OF those
whom war slew. Count the names.
Just ninety. Enough to form com
pany The death OF those persons
must have left great gaps in many
households. They have left desolate
many hearthstones. Many witc's
heart has been made widowcd-many
children LET, fatherless. Man! parents,
brothers and sisters mourn their loss.
Doubtless the sad casualties OF war
brought woe and weeping all over this
county. You see here no memorial of
their worth; no sculptured marble rises
in the clear sunlight, no cenotaph
speaks the volumes of the regard in
which you, doubtless, hold the patriot
dead. All over ,he South they lie,
where they fell, fighting the battles
that insured to You ultimate peace and
security. Few, II any of them, have
more than 4 temporary tablet to mark
their resting place. They were your
substitutes in the war, and tor you and
in your stead, they offered themselves
| upon the altar OF their country safety.
Ancient heroes returning from veto
ries We're treated to professions, laurel
wreaths and triumphal arches. The
dead, who, with gallantrv and heroism,
poured out their blood as a libation
tor their country, receis ed peculia.
and grateful honors. Monuments OF
enduring brass were erected in their
memory The polished marble was
reared in stately design and magniti-
cence to attest the popular gratitude.
And in the ancient theology, q heaven
OF particular honor and beatitude, was
provided tor their reward | trust
we shall not be unwilling to be taught
by those heathens. At least, let us
not do less tor the memory OF our
soldier dead than they performed for
theirs.
Look at the matter in any light OF
which it is susceptible, and We must
see that they are deserving Of mar
bic shaft that shall be worthy OF them.
The Members OF the Grand Army of
the Republic, under whose auspices
these details Of commemoraton are
conducted, to-day, have noposed the
erection OF monument for the pur-
pose jus, indicated. 1t is the intention
to memoriaIize the County Board OF
Supervisors to undertake the work in
behalf aud in the name OF the people
of Tama County. The monument
should be one that shall no less honor
the living than the dead--one OF am
pie proportions. beautiful in artistic
design and perfect in finish and work
manship. In the name, then, OF this
organization, | ask you, my patriotic
fellow citizens, to render to thi, project
your mos, efficient services. Let Your
voice and influence be heard and
felt by the Board--heard and felt, too,
in turtherance OF this plan. 1t serves
double purpose: primarily, as memo
rial OF your generous natures, and sec
ondIy, as graceful and fitting adorn-
ment OF these public grounds. There
can be no service You can render that
shall ensure q II. her return in SELF sat
istaction or in consciousness of duty
done, in the bestowal of well-earued
tribute.
l cannot forbear tresspasslng upon
your patience little longer before
aloSipp Apl NOW I Jnv;ro 10 r..- 8.