Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-10-31

the rattle Of muskery, or the groans Of the wound.
ed and dyingi we are called no more to tho sad
duty ot laying the long rows OF dead comrades in
the gloomy trenches 80 sleep their last sleep "
rules and governs the dcstinies OF nations that we
assemble together now to greet each other rs
iGrmeT % I comrades & IN arms and ana Tsl9ee Una. our
loved country rests In peace. wQnld gladly mem
ton the names Of those who acted their part So
nobly in the fearfuIFtuggle, bit the list too
long for the present occasiou; and yet there are
none would omit; would gladly recount their
deeds OF valor and acts OF courage and bravery,
but this must be left TO the historian, as Il would
require volumes instead OF a single address-to
each faithful soldier all honor Ia due.
But there Is one whose tongue Is now still In
death whose name cannot forbear 10 mention;
one who, though gone from our midst Is with us
IN memory-for who can forget John A. Rawlins.
Faithful In every duty true In every trust, though
dead he is not forgotten, though gone forever yet
he will ever live in affecuonate remembrance in
the hearts OF all who knew him; his name is
woven In indeible colors In the history of our
country, and Is linked with flame that Is. un
dying. y
One by one the members Of our social band arc
dropping out of our ranks intothe grave; many
who participated In the meeting last year are not
here now Among that number Is the gallant Nc.
Cook, so recently murdered by an assassin. That
brave, kind-hearted, generous, noble fellow has
fallen, too, end added another to the already too
long list of his family that hNyc died by violent
hands We shall not see his genial face again, but
ehall ever cherish his name and soon we, too, will
have to follow; but while we live we have a work
TO do-a duty to perform: Our country's honor TO
defend. her laws TO maintain. Who better than
the true and tried soldier can set the example OF
obedience TO the laws and loyalty to our govern
ment that we have manifested our devotion to by
Offering, II need be, to die In the enforcement OF
her authority And now that peace IL restored,
and the power Of the nation manifested, and its
authority yindcated, we should glory In its perpe-
Unity and triumph and teach our posterty to honor
that old flag-eublem of peace and prosperity.
For thrcc-Quarters of century, In every laid
and every cline, IT. has been the banner OF
OF freedom and token OF liberty--the
star spanged banner that has gathered millions
from lands Of oppression and homes of servitude.
In foreign lands the wandcrer has greeted It with
gladdened eyes and thankful hearts as he beheld
1t floating from the mast. 1t Is the same banner
that waved over that noble band of patriots that
won our independence, led on by the immortal
Washington. Its flaming folds hurled back de.
tiance from the ramparts at New Orleans and
Haunted in the face of invaders on the heights of
Chcpultepec and towers of New Mexico II iloatcd
proudly as the token of victory and the evidence
OF success. From the walls Of Sumter II pro
claimed unfinching war with secession and un
yielding strife with disunon. During the long and
wearisome marches through the States in rebellion
II gladdened the eyes aud nerved the hand of the
weary Union soldier, and proclaimed freedom ia
the oppressed. On hundred battle-nelds II
cheered the heart of the dying patriot as he behed
ii borne on in triumph amidst the shonis Of victory
All hail proud old banner of the free. No ruth
less hand shall despoil thee; dark cloud of trea
son shall ever dim thy luster. Float on in the
breeze; You shau be preserved and cherished amid
all the vicisstudes of the future the emblem o
| libertyl