Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-10-08

army. For Kansas was not only the nr1t
cause of the war but the new home to which
the veterans turned their Footsteps when
their marches and battles were over. every
Regiment that served in the army Of the
Republic has contributed its quota to swell
Mis Magnificent population. and there are
men sitting around quiet hearfhstones IN
every county OF the stare y ~no can ave PEI.
campairn every battle OF the war, from
Bull Run to BentOnville. In this audience.
/ have no doubt. are men VINO nave been
participants in every great oattie OF the ne
Here in Kansas, too. is q generation Of
Young men and women who have in theif
yiens the blood Of heroes and patriots: In
and women whose baby eyes witnessed sad
partings, when their fathers hurried eyay TO
Join the company mastering IN the village
anuare Here are matrOns who were young
wives. sweethearts or sisters then, and who,
busy with household cares, heard the faint
thrnbbing of the far-away drum. and days
and weeks before woro was spoken, read IN
the troubled but fesolute eyes of husbands,
Lovers and brothers the thought that was
BUSY in their brains-the thought of
stricken country, sadly needing men. They
knew these patient, t%a e Momen shsir
rooms, in loneliness and otter tears, they
prayed that, If possible. the shadow Of this
great grief might be lifted from their home:
and that those nearest and dearest to them
might remain, to tighten their cares and
brighten their daily life. But when at last
the word was spoken, race OF eel1-sacrnc-
ing and heroic women stood side by side in
patriotic devotion with a race of heroic men.
and the whole world learned. as the long pro-
cession of weary months and years went by,
thet the men and women OF 10 had worthy
successors in the men ana women OF 81 ana
'65
The "boys' of twenty-three years ago are
men of mature age: the men OF that day are
growing old. The faded and tattercd battle
t1ags they followed are preserved in the
State houses. The old sword or musket
hanging over the mantel is rusty with age.
Every year the ranks are thinning. Wounds
and disease, the legacy of battlefield. march
and bivouac. are doing their sure work The
glad picture they saw, looking forward
through the lurid smoke and flame OF battle,
as the reward of their tolls and sacrifices
the picture of mighty Nation. compact,
Nations of the earth-has been fully realized.
There is no limit to the power. no measure
to the wealth Of the redeemed and enfran-
chised Republic. Only the memories of a
last survivors of the Grand Army that
marched and fought with Lyon. Blunt. Nc
Clelian. Rosecrans, Meade, Sheridan, Thomas,
Sherman ard Grant, are huaily mustered
out, let them preserve their comardcship
and keep forever fresh and fair in the r
hearts the glorious recollectiOns and still
more glorious principles of the Tar away
days when they whre soldiers OF the ke-
public.
Soldiers Of the Union! again l bid you
welcome. l welcome you as citizens OF this
great State to its capital. welcome you as
patriot heroes. who. during the darkest DAYS
the Rel ubl.c has ever known, gladly and
proudly peried health and life to save it
from destruction. l welcome you as the
men whose strong arms and brave hearts
gave freedom to the slave, and made this
land, in fact as well as in name, land OF
liberty. And with my whole heart ! salute
you in fraternity, charity and loyalty, and
welcome you as comrades.