The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-05-31

could forget such a ioNcl In the days of
chivalry, "bonor and the I.adiesv was
the mottO craven GA the sword ms we'll
as the heart of every knight. Shall we
be less deterrent TO the engaging claim
OF gcntleness and beautyl What can I
say Of our warm hearted sisters except
that they cyareamongt the noblcst and fair.
est tho daughters of mon. When the
pestilcnce of war was desolating our
land and wounds and disease had
prostrated thousands of stalwart forms
upon beds OF suffering, many burning
cheek has been laved and many fever
ed tongue moistened by the hand of a
ministering angel In the shape of a wo.
man. In the hospital, camp, aud in
the field itself where every form of
death and modification of woe met the
eye and wrung the soul, even there the
blessed presence of woman appeared,
as she moved to and fro in her volun-
tary mission of love and mercy. Many
a brave soldier, far from home and
kindred has entered the dark valley of
death with the whispered words of
hope from the devout lips of some gen
tie woman yet vibrating in his ear-the
last sounds heard on earth. In this
work our sisters of Pennsylvania were
foremost. Ever responsive to the
faintCst calls of humanity, their days
at home were spent in the accumula-
tion ofmoney, clothing and delicacies for
the army. Nearly every Pennsylvania
woman was member of an association
with this object, and our own organiza.
tions of this character were the first in
the Northern States. The Cooper Shop
and Union Volunteer Refreshment
Committees of Philadelphia-both like.
wise the work of Pennsylvania women
fed, nursed, and lodged nearly seven
hundred aud fifty thousand soldiers of
all States during the first three years of
the war, and the veterans of every State
bless the women of Pennsylvania.
There was not city or town through
out our State but had its local organiZa-
tion for the accumulation of hospital
supplies, and the relief of those who
might be in want.
This is our seventh annual reuuion.
1t is fitting that we should assemble in
this way at stated intervals, and fresh
en- our interest in esch other and our
organization. AS time rolls on, other
associations may dim those of the past,
yet we can never be strangers. Our
ties are too strong to be so rude'v bio-
ken. For years we shared the same
hardships and faced the same perils.
Circumstances have thrown us together
more Intimately than generally falls to
the lot of a similar number, while a
generous emulation has brought to
light wnat good qualities we possess,
and taught each other to respect them.
Let us cherish these reunions, together,
land keep our memories green" in the
heart of each. We see here to day,
fellow.soldiers of this and our sis-
ter states, not members of the
x,,.A
Immediately connected. To those we
wish all happiness and extend the
heartiest welco ne. The Pennsylvania
Reserves formed but part of that
invincible body of heroic men who left
home and family, ,sundering thedearest
ties to obey the voice of duty and battle
forthe right. Bravery knows no climate,
latitude, section nor State. Our sister
cOmmonwealthsb sborethemselves as great
members of avast confederation of free
men should, whose only rivalry was in
degree of love for the Union and in
sacrificefor its perpetuation.
On this occasion we assemble on
historic ground. We stand almost
within the shadow of memorial shaft
reared to the memory of the gallant
dead OF a past age-the monument of
Wyoming. Beneath its granite base
the placid SUsquehanna murmurs a
constant requiem for their repose.
Every tree and shadow of this oman.
tic valley is eloquent with associations
OF the past. Another generation seems
to greet us as brethren, and to approve
what we have done for our common coun.
try. Within sight of that monument
and its suggestions, who can escape the
recollection of our own gallant dead.
A silent melancholy steals over our
hearts as the thought arises of that vast |
body of our comrades for whom the |
struggles of life are over and the voice !
of ambition forever stilled. They have
laid down their lives for their country. |
Some repose upon soil that was their |
enemy's; Others sleep where they would |
wish to sleep, within their beloved
Pennsylvania. At the thought of our
dead brethren silence better accords
with the nature of our feelings, and is
more eloquent than any sentences that
could be uttered by human lips. Upon |
that theme each has an orator within |
his own breast speaking the eulogy of |
every departed hero. Let living tongues |
therefore keep silent and prOfane not |
their memory by ill-timed phrases of
panegyric They need none such. Every |
mound that covers dead soldier teaches |
a lesson of the value of the Union and |
liberty. Let the living accept the mo-
milton, and cherish that for which such |
price has been paid above every earth
ly possession.
Since our last meeting the hand of
that dread adversary against whose as
saultst the bravest are impotent, has been
busy in our ranks. On peaceful Sab. |
bath morning last November, two more |
comrades left their inches in our memoir
les vacant. You all remember the
studied and unvarying kindness of DIR. |
David Stanton, Surgeon of our Cavalry |
Regiment. His great skill and sympa- |
thetic heart promptly answered the
faintest calls of humanity, and days
and nights were spent in untiriDg
ministrations to the unfortunate. He
died before he assumed the functions
Ofan honorable Office to which he had |
been elected by grateful people. In |
his death the Reserves lost tried and |
trusted brother, his party an honest
official, and his profession one of its |
brightest stars. Within a few hours of |
his deeease, General Wellington III. Ent,
the gallant Colonel of the no less gallant |
Sixth, passed away. He was a brave |
soldier, devoted patriot, and an honest
man. Only one year ago today, on the |
occasion four last streunion, he addressed |
US so acceptably. The lips, to whose
utterances we listened with such pleas
ure then, are now forever silent. His
voice Will never again summon us to |
the shock of battle, or charm us by its |
winning accents in the social gathering.
He passed away before he had attained |
the prime of life, and his early career
gave bright promise for the maturity of |
his powers.
To turn to the living, our Association
imposes upon us certain duties to each |
other. The years of service under our
common standard have cemented ties
and created claims upon our mutual re.
gard which we should ever esteem it
our highest privilege to recognize.
Time and separation are apt to cool the
warmest feelings; estrangement to
usurp the place which attachment used |
to hallow. But let us recall from time
to time our common ties, sufferings, and
perils, and such recollections will be an
ever present talisman to avert the in
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