The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-07-05
Old Settlers Meeting.
Address Of
HON. G. =, BERRY,
Delivered ut Lime Springs
Howard Co. June 1 1, 1872.

HON. @. e. BERRY,
Delivered at Lime springl
Howard Co. June 1 L, 1872.
Mr.. PREs1DENT:-We are met to
day for social greeting, and to renew
our kindly wishes for each other. W.
are not now what we we're. fifteen year.
ago, strangers in strange land, but
we are at home among our friends,
bound to each other by the strongest
ties of friendship and kindred assoeia.
tions. Affiuities have grown up amongst
us that can only be broken by death
itself. Fifteen years ago, we were all
struggling in our formalities, but abun.
dance now crowns our board.
Within the time of our acquaintance
many startling events have transpired
in that great epoch Of the worlds histo-
ry. We have seen one great political
party give place and power to another
in our own country. We have seen
our country deluged in blood and dot
ted with the tombstones Of the brave
and good, marking the spots where they
repose their weary limbs after the toll
of the battle; yes my friends, where
rest those who loved their country we'll
enough h to die for it rather than it
should be severed and dishonored, and
greater love than this hath no man.
We have seen the brave soldier, dying
Of wounds and disease, common to the
soldiers fate W ithout murmur or a
regret saying, to my country give
my life and to God I bequeath my
soul. A land containing such patriots
as these must and will live among the
nations. God in His rewards Of de-
votion and goodness would not be true
to His promises were it not SO. And
this devotion and patriotism was not
confined to any class or condition. Not
to the old nor the young, nor the mid
die aged, but treated all alike. There
was old John Wells, your neig ghbor who
was beyond three score Of years, with
the burning zeal of a young man, when
his country called for men, forgot his
age and went forth to do battle that
he might bequeath to his children and
to you and me united county, and a
flag unstained by dishonor. But he
returned no more to his family and
friends. No more shall we meet him
on this side Of the river that divides
life and death. But as christians we
all hope to meet him on the other side
in fairer and better world. Old Uncle
Ben. Gardner, too forgot his weight of
years when his country needed help
to save it from the assaults of its en-
emies. And also Charles Hurley all
men who had passed beyond the years
when the country could demand their
presence on the battlefield. They felt
not the weight of years but gave them
selves up as willing sacrifices upon the
altar Of their. country. Honor, glory,
and peace to their memories. Then
there was George Briggs, Alonzo Van
Leuven, Andrew Miller, b. F. Knight
Richard Carpenter, and many others
good and true, young men full of life,
vigor, and hope, full Of anticipations,
full Of aspirations, and looking forward
to a bright and successful future, all
this they sacrificed when their country
needed them to give it aid and strength.
May We not be proud that they were
our sons, our neighbors, and our
friends? They have built their own
monuments in our hearts and memories
there to remain until that time when
we shall all be united with the just and
true, where partings shall be no more.
And still we are among those who were
equally devoted and patriotic, but who
we are rejoiced were more fortunate
than their companions and were per-
mitted to return to their homes and
friends, to receive the greetings of those
who honor, respect and love them. To
those brave men and boys who are yet
amongst us, it is the wish Of your hum
BILE friend that the future Of your lives
may be as prosperous IS your past rec
ord has been honorable.
We have also seen system of slavery
give place to freedom. A system Of
slavery that only served to disgrace
our civilization; a system that only
could be maintained in wrong; system
that denied the sacred right Of parents
to their children; a system that laughed
to scorn the marriage relation; throwed
virtue to vice and prostitution, and left
the people crushed on the one hand and
fond of tyranny on the other. We can
most truly say,
We raise our banner broad and high,
And spread it's stars along the sky,
We will sink ox swim a. 1.-Two On dio