Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1885-09-18
ADDRESS OF wELcoME.
Delivered by Hen. William
Warner, at the Reunion
Of Veterans, Kirksv;lle,
Mo, Sept 18th.

a few playful remarks that. excited
much merriment, spoke as follows
Survivors of the Union Army OF
'61 and '65, the citizens of this beauti-
full city-the Athens of northwest
Missouri-bld you thrice welcome.
Her people vie with each other in ex-
tending TO you cordial greeting and
in giving you assurances of soldierly
hospitality during your reunion.
In honoring you as their guest, they
feel that they are honoring themselves.
This people have not forgotten the
privations and trials which you endur-
ed, the hardships and dangers through
which you have passed. in camp. on
the march, in prison, on the battle
field, to the end that "a government of
the people, by tine people and for the
people should not perish from the
EARTH"
The years that have interviewed have
not dimmed our recollection of or les
sened our admiration for your deeds of
heroism in that mighty struggle for the
life of nation. Four and twenty years
ago you went into that struggle with
the high resolve that the Union OF the
States established by the fathers must
and should be preseved-peacefully if
possible. forcibly if needs be. Your
! heads, now showing the frost of years.
were then like the raven your steps,
now indicating increasing years yet
; loyal, were then strong and responsive
to the music of the Union. You loved
peace-but would not purchase it at
the cost of the Union. You hated war,
: but would gladly accept it rather than
disunion. At the call of duty, imbu-
S ed with the love of country, you went
forth as the American volunteer SOL
Y diers and sailors with "a heroism that
: was patriotic and with a patriotism that
was heroic"
. The Union reverses in the early part
e cf the war, the trailing of the Nation al
colors in the dust at Bulls Run, served
to kindle in the breasts of the loyal
sons of the east, the west, the north
: and south, the living fires of patriotism
"the holy faith that warmed our sires. VI
You marched to The front, singing as
4 you went ave are coming, Father
Abraham, three hundred thousand
: more"
: Never did soldier buckle on his
armour in holier cause than you fol
Il the maintenance of the Union and the
c perpetuity Of republican form of gov
:, ernment.
How well you discharged your du
ties as citizen soldiers, let Fort Donel
IS son, Shiloh Stone River. Malverr
: Hill, Antietam, Helena, Champion
'r Hill, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Chancel
t. lorsville, Chicamauga, Tupelo, Mis-
'f sionary Ridge, Franklin, Nashville
LII The Shenandoah Valley, Five Forks
&c Spottsylvania, Richmond, the Wilder
ie ness, Atlanta to the sea, and Apo
SC mauox answer. They are eterna
u witnesses of your bravery. You
IL deeds OF v: lor ON these and man,
al other battle fields have gone into his
e tory, have been woven into song ant
u embalmed In dea,hless story, ye;
have been written by Gods finger up
IS, on the parchment of immortality.
s. Your patience in privations, your in
II. domtable courage in battle, you
n magnanimity in victory. will commaE,
h the admiration of a liberty loving peo
of pie Throughout the ages. Lincoll
IT. wrote the proclamation of Emancipa
rb tion-the second Declaration of Inde
e. pendence-you by your deeds CAV
he vitality 10 that proclamation, strikin
to the shackles from the limbs of fou
he millions of human beings, dedicatin
IS every inch of American soil to huma
at liberty-maklng its atmosphere incom
us patabfe with oppression or slavery
n Frye score years ago the Fathers de
or clared that "all men are endowed b
IT, their creator with certain unalienabl
ne rights, that among them are life, libel
ty and the pursuit of happiness"-b
lie your blood and suffering you frml
he engrafted these rights upon the consti
IN tutioD-making them inseparable fror
IN Ame rican citizenship.
at The brave men of 81 and '65, livin
lie and dead, firmly established the prln.
n. ciple that the bonds of union unitin
e. these states are indlSsoluble-thatl 10y
Or atty is the first duty ofarkmerica1 cit
III zen. At ALpoma,tox The Union wa
M rfde, med reueperated opd j,ear