The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-08-09

day, then assumed the duties Of master of
ceremonies, and in few appropriate and
telling words took upon himself the respon-
sibilities of the position. He then intro
duced Ex-Governor Throckmortor, a resi-
dent of Mckinney, who, on the part of the
people of Collin county, extended hearty
and cordial greeting and welcome to every
body, to those who wore the blue, as well
as to those who wore the gray.
GOVERNOR THRoCKMoRToN's WELCOME.
Pioneers of Texas, Soldiers of the Civil War,
Veterans of the Mexican War, Ladies and
Gentlemen
1t has been customary among civilized
and barbarous nations, IN ancienta and mod
ern times to commemorate important
events in their histories.
The Jews, throughout their long and
checkered career when prosperous asa great
and ruling nation, in bondage, ard in exile,
celebrated the passover.
their quadrennial celebration Of the
Olympic games, to which the people tiocked
from the remotest corners OF that classic
land, and which were witnessed by count
less thousands from other lands.
The American people commemorate the
day of their declaration of indsDendence;
the day on which they became nation
of freemen. Thronging millions from every
almost every cline and country. Witnessed
the celebration of the centennial of that
grand event.
But these gathering thousands assured
us, composed OF the gray haired fathers ana
M others .of Texas, the matured manhood
and lovely women of the country, Its youth
and beauty, the veterans OF the Mexican
war, aud survivors of the civil war. have
not met here op this occasion to commemo-
rate any particular event IN their own Or
their country's history. ~,
We commemorate no day on which the
Ruler OF the universe saved nation; nor
a day on which a nation OF freeus' z '%ere
born; nor one made glorious in our history
when victory was baptized in blood and de-
feat carried mourning and desolation
through the land. Neither have we met
here to exult over the success OF the cause
of the Union, or lament the downfall OF the
Confederacy.
Thank Godl the day Of exultation I'D la
mentation over the results OF the Ur, III
patriotic breasts are done away VITA Tor
ever. The American heart beats fespon-
siye to higher and holier aspirations
reunited country, with one sentiwent OF
devotion to its glory and prosperity, ans
the preservation of its free institutions, ami
mates patriotic hearts throughout the land.
To express this sentiment and give IL
emphasis-to renew early recollections oi
our country's settlement, and return thanks
for the blessings we have enl oyed' 10
brighten ties OF friendship formed on tent
ed fields; to exchange experiences touching
past events, and to indulge in bright anti
cipalions of the future. We have met mere
to-day.
With these ends in view, and with the
hope that ali who may be here will so enjoy
this reunion as to make II memorable for
its pleasant recollections and happy results;
that our PRIDE IN Texas aud our common
country may grow stronger; our devotion 10
the Union and government of our fathers
be increased; respect for our countrymen
in every quarter Of the nation be strength
ened BY renewed ties OF friendship, and the
fires Of patriotism be so revived and re;
kinded as 10 make them endure In our land
forever; with such a purpose and to pro-
mote such sentiments, the people OF Collin
county bid you all a hearty welcome.
EARLY SETTLERS OF TEXAS.
IL time permitted at the opening OF these
IL would be pleasant task for
me to address you at length in regard to
your early struggle, the priyations endured
and dangers overcome, while you were re-
claiming this land OF flowers from wilder
ness and converting Il into cultivated fields,
smiling gardens and homes OF bounteous
Nv mind reverts back forty-two years
AGO. 20 the time when the frontiersman's
az FIRST disturbed the solitudes Of these
forests, and when the hrst iurrow Of this
virgin soil was upturned, that pro-
claimed the advancement OF civiliza-
ton. That was time OF peril.
ON many occasions you have witnessed
scenes Of misery, ruin and desolation,
wrought BY relentless and hunted foe.
Happily those days Of savage cruelty and
treachery with you are past and gone
Your work has been fully accomplished. II
is the prayer Of your couBtryman that the
evening OF your days be attended with ev-
cry comfort and enjoyment, and when you
snail have passed 20 the unknown land you
be crowned in heaven with its richest bles-
Soldiers Of the Civil 'war:-When
the stars and bars went down on
the field Of AppomattOx, with those on
both sides who fought the battles OF the
sections the animOsities engendered By the
strife ceased 70 exist.
The soldiers and people Of the south have
received more generosity and kindness
from those who upheld the banner Of the
uri0n than from those Of the north who
periled no lives in its defense Unq1es-
the American people are IN
areat measure indebted 70 the soldiers OF
fbs union army for that feeling Of frster-
nal regard nov 20 generally prevalent
throughout the country. The brnve re-
spect the brave.
PRESENTLY, soldiers Of The union army vis-
lied the graves Of Coniederates
Who died at Jchnson's Island
ard decorated them with hJverH-
While thee sd but generous rites were
being performed in the norfh. Coufeoerate
snldiers were paying the sane tribute Of re-
rpect 20 the memory cf The dead s1loiers of
tie. union buried 81 MsysVills, ksntucky.
Mutual acts Of resu,ect are being exhibited
ever dag b the survivors of both afmies-
Battle fags captured during IRE srrite ars
a-e being returned viii evidences of ne
tirhesf rsspeu ard estesm.
Corfsde-rte Fenertls q Cur rtEimerts
have besn invited and revived nrrth With
ffaf tiEh cuurtesT and ctiTalry - charnc-
tsIisiic d tI-HFs aot gsusrous men