The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-10-04
THE MONUMENT DEDICATION.
Fine Day, Fine Speeches and Large Attend
anCr.

mild ones, neither too hot nor too cold, with
which October is wont to favor Us, and the
people of the surrounding country felt like
making il Il holiday. Accordingly as carly
as 10 O'Clock our streets were already well
filled, aud by noon it was nearly Il jam around
, the central square.
About O'Clock indications became visi.
ble of n movement towards organizing the
procession A band in the western part of
the city hcralded the approach Of the German
and French Benevolent Societies, who were
duly escorted by couple of marshals on
horseback to the vicinity of the public square,
There in turn they were joined by "A military
company from La Sale under command Of
Capt.J. B. Day, ina beautiful uniform and I'M
der admirable drill. Then the fire companies
dropped into linc-the Turner Society and
I finally the Knights Tcmplar of Ottawa, in
their gorgeous uniform presenting an i'm
posing appearance. Then there was a tedious
delay of an hour, it seemed to the waiting
ones, until the orators, judges, city dignitarics
&c, made their appearance in carriages. On
their arrival, the procession strung itself out
in due order, marched down La Sale street,
east on Main, up Columbus, and thence into |
the square taking position around the speak
ers' stand. Here the exercises were as fol
lows:
/. Music by the Aurora Band
?. Prayer by Rev. A D. Wyckoti, who had
been chaplain of the Gath regiment.
3. Music.
4. Introductory Address by Col. T. Lyle
Dickcy, President Of the day, as follows
Twelve years ago the tocsn OF war was
sounded in the land
Inc flag of our country called her sons to
Its defence; to leave the pleasant paths Of
|pcace for the arduous duties of war; the hap.
Ipy home for the camp and the field; the sweet
music fhome voices for the martial notes of
the drum the fife and the bugle
Hundreds of thousands of brave hearts
brought strong hands to the rescue.
After long years of deadly strife, victory
Icame, and with it peace. The Union was
saved and civil liberty preserved.
Many Of that great host Of heroes returned T.
in safety to their homes and their loved ones
but not all alas. not all.
The names of eleven hundred Of the gallant
dead Of La Sale county arc written on that
marble.
Some died upon the weary march;
Some III the camp;
Some in the hospital;
And some fell where the tread Of the fell
monster, death, was not silent where his
gaunt form walked by day rs living thing,
and met men face to face; where his coming
was heraldCd i
BY the rapid passage Of couriers bearing
orders;
BY the silent waiting for the foe: '
BY the compressed lip Il
BY the firm grasp Of arms;
BY the crack of the rife;
BY the rattle of the skirmish fire;
By the whizzing of the minnie balls;
BY the crash of musketrv;
BY the deatcning boom of artillery;
BY the plunge of cavalry;
BY the clash Of bayonetS, and the deadly Ii
struggle of men fighting hand to hand
They move not H2,c IN the busy haunts Of :
men.
Their remains are wasting in their graves
or bleaching on the field. S
At the tircsides Of this county eleven humid
red OF their places are vacant. |
But more than eleven thousand heads are /
this day bowed with grief.
Eleven thousand sad, crushed hearts mourn {
their loss aud weep for them. c
Eleven thousand living memories call up I
the picture of the lost ones: their voice, 1
their step, their smile, so vivid-it seems like |
life. 1t is but memoIys painting. They are a
gone! |
But amid our grief proud thoughts spring
up Of trhole ndtion redeemed, and hun a
dreds Of thousands honor their names v
and admire their illustrious valour, a
while millions enjoy today the glorious +
blessings purchased at the cost Of their t
precious blood. il
This monument, erected by the volun- L
tary contributions of our people, rises today t
in manifestation Of the love, gratitude and adj v
miration Of those who live to enjoy what g
they died to preserve. d
The humblest grave in all countries is t
marked by some token which warns the liv- j
ing to tread lightly over the sod, made y
sacred as the resting place Of those who sleep {
their last slumber. But for the noble who o
have gone to rest, the snowy marble and the S
solid granite are made to express, in lines of |
wondrous beauty, the homage Of grateful u
e
Here are inscribed the names Of our noble c
dead. L
Here is oar roll of honor. n
To them we dedicate this monument h
And as the honor and glory of their names a
is not confined 10 the narrow limits of one /
county, the entire state this day joins us in "
paying this homage. IL
The orator of the day-to whom you will $
soon liStcn-is the Governor of our great state, q
the name o: which has been made illustrious Z
by the sublime courage and patriotic ser r
vices of these her sons Il
The thousands here today, taking part in IL
this service, give token Of the depth of attcc e
tion-of devotion for the horored soldier, II
which swclls the breast of every man, woman h
and child IN all this broad land 81
! must not dctain you. Il
This beautiful shaft OF solid marble - e
designed TO perpctuatc The memory Of these s.
noble dead, that their worth may be known t'
when we all shall lie silent in the grave u
). Music; followed by =
&. Grafton by His EXccllency Gov. j. !. -
Bcveridgc, as follows: n
II has been said Republics ar" migrate y