Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-05-27
Dedication Of the New Hospital nj
the Sol dieFsS Home, Dayton, o.


The nav and magnificent Hospital at the Ma
tional Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers,
at Dayton, has recently been completed, and
last Thursday, 18th inst, was set apart for its
dedication. The assemblsge on the occasion is
reported as being very large, principally COM
posed Of ladies' and gentlemen from Dayton and
surruunding country. Short addresses were
delivered by Gov. HAYES, Gov. BAKEk Of Indi-
ana, Con. WrLLIcH, Gen. ScHEEcK. Surgeon
General WoLcorT and Rev. W. II. THOMAS
The Hall in the new Hospital, holding an audi.
snes Of 1000, in which all public exercises Of
the institution are held, is thus described by =
special to the Cincinnati Gazette:
NEATLY trescoed on the ceiling are symbols
and notices suggestive OF the great confess from
which we have emerged. That next tho stage
has the name Of "W ashington" and "Lincoln,"
another represents two hands elasped aud the
words "The Constitution and the Union"
Tho stage. which 10 neatly finished with
drapery and drop curtains, has upon either side
ihs proscenium representations NJ wars EN-
blsms, with the words "0ur friends in need"
anil "Our friends indeed" while the scene in
the rear has for its center the coat OF arms OF
the institution, that Of the Goddess Of Liberty
presenting . cup oi water to seidier who has
lost limb in the service, with the motto sug-
getted BY Secretary Stanton. On either side
are the emblems Of peace. The entire front of
the stage is adorned with flowers from the gar
den Of the Home, presenting a spectacle Of
much beauty.
But no one Of these 10 the most suggestive
feature Of the hall. Over each Of the score Of
windows aud doors 10 the name Of some great
blt;le of the war. Here is Shiloh, Spottsyl-
vLniA, Gettysburg, Chicamauga, Stone River,
Fair Oaks, Ths Wilderness, Kenesaw Mountain,
FrederieksburR, New Orleans and others. How
full OF meaning are these words 7 How they
bring up recollectious of the war, moving the
heart with emotions which language may not
hope to portray. What stories they tell What
deeds OF daring What hsrdships What en-
durance! What losses What triumphs How
the past comes up like = solemn procession Of
events, aa thrilling and momontous as ever the
people Of . nation experienced"
Hon. LEWIS b. GUsokLs, Master Of Csremo-
MES, aud TO whom soldiers and civilians OF this
country are under so many obligations for his
unceasng vigilance in the preparation Of this
Home, opened the ceremonies with the following
r,marks:
"a little over two years ago the Managers Of
the National Asylum purchased these grounds
and authorised me IN commeacs work. Winter
was approaching and hun reds Of disabled SOL
diers-homeless, penniless, and almost friend
less-were seeking admission. We could not
wait for plans, nor for an architect. In one
week we put up, out OF Camp Chase lumber,
dsnated by Congress, the frat Of the ne-story
barracks, and 6lled II on the very day II was
completed. The next week VIC put up another,
and il was Immediately filled. And 80 we went,
ia summer and winter, adding building to build
ing, aud filing each soon AZ 10 was compile
tsd. First, we used an old barn for dung
roopi becoming too ANAL, we added wing,
then another, then still another; finally, took up
znd threw out the old barn, raised the whole
smother story and left the dining hall as it now
stands. The drst winter We cared for 400 men,
the second 900, and last winter our rolls showed
1900, and to-day, we celebrate the completion Of
another building, adding to our capacity three
hundred more beds, every one OF which will be
filled during the coming winter.
"LoOkiug at these buildings and grounds to-
day, We are painfully sensible Of the fact, that
there is much that would not stand criticism.
May Of you could have done It better, we think
IT very likely. We can only plead that under
many elnbaTrAssmenis and difieuIies we did
the best We could. Had We thought only OF
buildings and grounds. only Of architectural and
Landscape effect, We could, perhaps have done
better ourselves. But our constant aim was to
help aAd care far the sick and disabled soldiers,
aud to provide for them, with the least possible
delay, a home "a pleasant, comfortable and
happy home; aud IL we have succeeded in that
our dearest wishes have been realised and our
highest ambition grati6ed."
Mr.. Guuekls then read letters from the follow.
ing distinG Guishsd persons, who had been invited
and were unable 10 be present:
President 0raat. Vice President Colfax, Chief
Justice Chase. 0eneFal Sherman, Lieutenant
EseDeral Sheridan, Major GsnarAls Meade, Mar
tiudAle, aad Willieh, GoV. Geary, Cor. Hoffman,
tiov. Baldwin, Gov. FaIrchiid, Gov. Harvey
EI.Gov. Dennison, Cor. Smith, and Mrs.
Lowell Putnam.
Mr.. GuEcELS's report OF the institution de-
vsiops many striking features. Out OF 500
soldiers now atthS HOme, representing near every
Congressional District. ia are with one arm
only; iss with one leg, and with both legs
OF 90 blind sad 20 insane 25O in hospital
with consumption, rbsnmAtsm, &C., and
ell tsHdsrly cared Er. hschsnies Of every
description, among these veterans, are sneosr,
aged to labor, for which they are paid. All tn.
buildings at the Home have been painted b,
OnS-ATmed soldiers. Some are taught telegraph
log, b'sk-tssping, printing. broom and baSke
mAhiDg, ste.
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