Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-06-01
MEMORIAL ExERCisEs.
A Day OF Rain and Gloom-Exercises
at Town Hall.
Mersor,ai Address OF Mr.. X. v. Hay,
maker.


Memorial Address OF Mr.. II. v. Hay
maker.
The schools be,ug closed for the day
the pupils were rs busy as bees duriue
The forenoon in search OF flowers and
their efforts were abundantly rewarded
Our citizens gave cheerfully and freely
their choicest floral offerings, which ia
due time were woven into wreaths, cross
es and bouquets by busy and ski,lial
hands at the Town Hall, under the di-
rectlon of the Ladies' Auxiliary Society,
A large number of interested citizens
came in from the country in the morn.
ing, expecting TO join the procession
About IL A. NJ. a steady ram set IN and
continued until night, making 1t all in
all most gloomy and disageeable day
rendering a change in the program nee
essary, in which the exercises were held
at the Town HAL instead Of the GENE
terry. Dispute the gloom the Hall was
more than filled at l:30 P. NJ.
The exercises we're opened hy an an
them by a male quartet Messrs. d. A
Haylor, J. s. Hirth, +. D. Dodge and
Geo. Hirth, with Miss Mary +. Dodge
presiding at the organ-followed by pray
er by the Chaplain Of Post, Mr.. Thomas
Hartshorn.
Mrs. d. A. Huylor followed by the
recital of decoration poem, composed
by Mrs. Kate NJ. B. Sherwood, both the
poem aud the exquisite ma hner in which
il was recited eliciIing much praise.
Commander Yenger then introduced
Mr.. X. V. IIaS@akrr Of Defence, who
had been selected to deliver the ORATOR
and who proceeded in n graceful, elo-
quent and easy manner to deliver the
following address, which we publish in
full, by request, and feel that it will
we'll repay perusal by those who heard
it ms well rs those who could not be
present
Address OF X. v. HAYMAKER.
There is no sadder, tanderer anniversary oh.
served by men .hsw that which we have this
day met 10 commemorate. As we strew our
cha plets of flowers over the grassy graves of
our dead heroes. how memory comes to us la
den with the griefs and snrrows Of years
Grief fur the loss of our fathers aud brothers
and friends. and sorrow for all the pain they
| suffered. But our grief Is half assuaged and
our sorrow Is mingit-a with pride as we con.
template the result Of their struggles and rea J.
ize that 1t was not in vain that they died. No
one can take part in this memorial service
80 F.,,t of hapt
derer and better. 1t is sad and solemn as a
| buriai as purifying and eleva;ng as sacra.
| ment. The impulses which prompt great
nation to observe this day in this way srrng
| from the nobest sentiments that can find q
Judgment in the human heart. They are born
Of the highest patriotism, the tenderest love
| the deepest gratitude, the brOadest humanity.
| Our minds uubidden turn to those long past
| years when our brave men were still with US
| not only the few who rest within this si!en
| camp, but all their half million brave comrads
who sprang to arms at the call of their endan
geved country and with swelling hearts march
ed down to their graves. Perchance they lie
beside Potomac's stream, or among Virginia's
hills, or on the plains of Georgia. or among the
cane-breaks Of Louisiana, or besi de the bayoas
| of Mississippi. But where'er they lie. be
meath whatever sod they sleep, they are all re
membered and honored to-day.
Every act in that grand tragedy passes be
fore our minds like dissnlving views; and W.
remember all the weary days that ntervenet
between that April morn when every loya
| heart stood still and cheek grew pale as tn,
electric spark flashed all over the land til,
| echo Of that fatal gun at Sumter, and tha
othet April day some fur years later whei
the fanling nnton ceased frum war and knee
ting down among her slain defenders CAV,
grateful thanks to God for the blessed new
that came flashing up from Appomattox. Th
| nj that ODenInp Sumter awOke
spirit in our people that we hardiy knew exist
ed-all the latent patriotism in their nature
sprang into active, burning life in an instant
Treason grew teniuld more grateful and the oil
flag assumed new loveliness to their eve. an,
became the symbol of all that was worth livin
for all that was worth dying for. "Iiherty !.
"Justice," "Freedom," )" "Countrv," seemed /
have new meaning and sounded like new words
and aroused within them an enthusiasm neve
felt before.
The war.coud grew blacker and danger
thickened. Brave men were ueeded to tax
their lives in their hands and ward off DANCE
from theit land, and avenge the insults and ia
Juries to our national honor. How many IMAM
Iv ewes grew dim with tears as they gaz ID a
the leved ones around the family circle an,
heard within their hearts the prompting voic
which SAID: ''Do your duty. Your countr
needs the aid of your strong nrm." And tn
loved ones grew sick at heart as they sal,
Wilhln tHeHlSelFeS soon he VIII go, ana w
have no right to keep him" Men turned from
the pursuits os peace to learn The trade Of war
The farmer left. his team in the furrow and tn
hand which held the alow learned tn grasp til
mnsket. The smith left his forge FIRE to di
and his changing anvil to grow silent while h
took his place in the ranks. The priest ,ai
aside his surplice and douned the uniform q
blue. The student Transferred his name frnm til
college ro,l tn the muster ROLAND thus tn
ranks were filled with our best and bravest
AT last the parting heur comes. All ove
the land brave hearts are bidding loved one
good bye. There the fond husband is ella spin
the loved wife in a last embrace Will. the liitl
ones cling about his knees and his tears IA
like rain as he presses the good bve kiss upo
those faithful lips and laws his ands in par,
ing blessing on those childish heads. Their
the sister and sweetheart cling weeping to tn
brother and ioyer as so many wept and clun
in those dark days when n en- and women CAV
up their dearest.
At last they go, with strains nj martial mu
sic on the air and freednm's ba nner foa,in
DER them. They march away "wiih swing
conquest In their tread, leaving behind ihr
pleasant homes and loving friends. congrni.
pursuits and lucratiyr positions all that make
life pleasant and desirable, while before ,h-I
is the grim certainty danger aud hardship
perhaps captivity aud death.
When we think of war We are apt To dive
on the bright side Of the picture which fame
always paints for us: we think If dashiug I'm
forms the inspiring music; I'll. glitter 81 ii
guns and the fame and glory that attach !
war: but To day we are surrounded by II
tragic reminders that there is n da rk ind biond
side Ia the picture. We who have never lee
in camp can hardly appreciate the toll n
hardship Of soldiers life. Many l"ng n,
weary days they pass upon the march: MAJ
dreary nights find them upon the exposed picl
! ct post nut in all kinds of weather, sc"rchii
under the burning sumner sun. or bufletcd
, the frosty blasts of winter F; out in the peiii
rain or the dri ting snow often with no b,
but the hard ground aud no covering but Il
blue sky
"Resting on grassy con hecs,
Pillowcd on Hillocks damp,
How little we knew of martial life
3 Till brothers were in the camp"
! How proudly we watched them through %
: tears as they marched away. And yet: al
:. yet We cannot forget, "ihat many bra,
boys must fall" whole half million of the
4 lie to-day in soldiers graves. Perhaps th
met their death in battle. See the brave bo
" | thay 0o into tha 6uht han ha .,rd