The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-05-21

boring republic of Mexico had furnishes
examples Of the danger to mankind o
bodies of soldiers from their avoeatior
to the quiet scenes of ordinary lIfe.-
But neither Rome, Greece, Spain no
Mexico were ever tried by such an or
deal as ours. Their disbanded armies
were, in comparison to ours, almost al
nothing. In fact there is not, in Au
man history, a case cited except ours
in which a million Of soldiers were, il
day, removed from belligerent tc
peaceful life. Probably there is nc
Government on earth except our own,
that would have dared to tryethe ex-
pertinent. l am confident there is nc
other in which such trial would be safe.
But all were disbanded. Departments,
corps, divisions, brigades, regiments
and companies, almost within the hour,
disappeared ike morning mists. We
had appeared upon the field at our
country's call as promptly as the clan
men of Roderick Dhu burst into view
upon their Alpine hills, and as soldiers
we passed away almost as readily at the
waving of hand. Was there no am
bilious leader dissatisfied with the dis
tribution of warlike laurels, ready to
gather the scattered host, seize the
power and archieves of the nation, and
make himself kingG Were there no
fastnesses amoung our mountains in
which brigands might find coDcealment
and carry on a war of depreciation on
mankindG Perhaps there were such
rebellious spirits, but the soldiers them
selves, the mass of the disbanded host,
we're beyond the power Of seduction.
They loved the Government for which
they bled, the flag under which they
had marched to victory, and would
prefer to die in defense of liberty rather
than live in opulence upon its ruins
No outbreak, no revolution, no disaster
of any magnitude has followed the Sc
gregation of these million warriors
They sought their homes with joyful
hearts and tuneful voices. There was
no tears of mourning over the cast off
traDpiDgs and habihments Of strife -
The hand, grown cunning in the use of
arms, applied itself to the AK, the ham
mer, the loom, and spade. Battle
shouts had given place to Civilizations
over victory, and these in turn were
followed by the songs of JOY, of love
and peace that sanctify that place of
heaven called home. Very much of
this sublime result is due, doubtless, to
the form of Government under which
we live, much is attributed to the edu-
cational influences among which we
we're reared, and much, very much, to
the organization known as the "Grand
Army of the Republic" This order |
originated in desire for mutual pro-
lection, aid and education. We never
feared that the tolls and suferings of
our soldiers would be forgotten, or fail
10 be appreciated by the mass Of our
but we did fear that high |
officials might at times be prompted BY |
their selfhness to disregard or neglect
Us. Politically, our object is not to
mingle in the strifss of parties, but by |
our strength and Dumbers to be able to
exact from all a recognition of equal
right with others, We desire to further, !
by this organization, to commemorate
he gallantry and sufferings of our COM
,ades, give aid to bereaved families,
cultivate fraternal sympathy among our
selves, find employment for the idle,
md generally, by our acts and precepts,
o give the world practical example Of
)ur unselhsh, manly cooperation.
Thus far our efforts have proved sue
,essful. The report of the Adjutant-
General will present fully the history
md progress of our order, and more
han sustain our brightest hopes of its
uture. The burden of many crosses
las been lifted from many hearts
7amishing souls and bodies have been
ed, manly excellence has been deYel-
,ped and cultivated, while public,
ocial and domestic life among our
have been purified and bless
ID through our humane endeavors, 1 /
congratulate you, comrades, that we
lave now a national Administration
which is not unmindful of the soldier.
1eis filling important places of trust
nd profit; he is welcome at the Presi-
Iential mansion; along the street
rutch or empty sleeve insures respect
nd in the public conyOcation he re-
elves attention and applause,
| congratulate you also that our order
ourishes now as it never done before
nd thatpeace, tranquility and industry
re- comparatively universal among our
elves, aud throughout our national
oman,
Let us foster aud cherish this beneV- {
lent order, so useful in the past, SO
eneficial in the present. and giving
uch promise for the future. Let us
mite in vigorous efforts, and extend /
nd perpetuate its power. While in
ne flush and strength of manhood we
Iay not fully grasp and realize the fact
nat mans true interest lies in doing
Ood; but when the golden bowl of life
breaking, when our faces become s
arved in storied hieFoglyphics by /
le stylaF aud pantograph of age, each lT
It of kindness done, each word of kind I
sss spoken, will, by natural compen- t
ting law, return, like the dove of Ara j
+, to the soul from which it was sent I
caring with it its branches of un- B
ding green from the "Post beyond t
ie river." Z
FENIEe MEETING AT WESLEY CHAPEL. .
AS early as halfpast seven o'clock the X
ling of Wesley Chapel commenced. /
a very brief space of time all the seats t
the body of the house, and large F
ortion of those in the gallery, we're Il
led. The two central tiers Of pews Il
! the floor were reserved for delegates. S,
he ushers were kept busy, Preimin- a
y arrangements for music were made D
: placing cabinet organ in front of
e pulpit. This looked as if the Zouave G
and was not to furnish tie music. So 81
turned out, and wisely, for apart from Il
e questions of church etiquette, a n
'werful brass baud is not quite the p
ing for the small amount of indoors L