Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-08-25
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.


FL, 1885, by John L. Carson.
Twenty years ago there arose on our ma
tional horizon dark and threatening cloud.
SsEguins hearts hoped the impending storm
might be averted. But not so. Broader,
darker, more threatening it grew until ere
long was hidden the bright sunlight of fra
ternal union and with the boom Of Fort
Sumpter guns we realized that our coun-
try stood upon tn verge Of great civil
war. For four long years that war cloud
enveloped our land, and ere our hearts we're
glsddened 5y the dawn Of peace, al! how
many brave spirits were quenchei in the
crimson tide of war. That great struggle
both in its inception and in its results,
stands without parallel in the history of
nations When in 1861 the call for troops
was flashed over our land it fell upon the ears
not Of soldiers but OF those who knew only
the arts Of peace. To my mind there is
something grand in the response Of
the loyal States to their Presidents call
From the northern lakes, from New Eng
lands rugged hills and from the fertile plains
of the West, ike vast uphesving sea,
swept forth mighty patriot army, living
shield Of the nations unity and life. The
time for indecision had passed, and as that
trumpe: call to arms second time echoed
over our hills and valleys rank on rank
went forth, the nations pride aud
strength. ready to do, 70 suffer aud, if need
be, to die, in defense Of justice and right.
All, those were times that tried mems souls.
The present was full OF doubts and fears,
and what the future might hold God only
knew. And the great heart Of the nation
stood still while storm driven over the dark
ened land wave on wave the tide OF battle
rolled Soldiers, those days belong to the
Fast. Yours was the victory, and upon
your heads rests the benson Of grateful
people. The rude sounds of war are heard
no more, and yonder sun smiles down upon
over fifty millions Of reunited freemen dwell
ing together with one country and one
flag. 1t is fitting that you should
meet and call again to mind the
dark days of national history. Imagine you
are contrasting the present peaceful gather
ing with far different ones of twenty odd
years ago. You stand to-day upon the Dor
der of that grand old commonweslth-the
Keystone State. Let memory 90 back q
little more than twenty-five years to another
meeting on Pennsylvania soil
The days OF June were nearly done,
The fields With plenty oyerrun
Were ripening meath the harvest sun,
In fruitful Pennsylvania.
sang birds and children, AN is we'll"
When sudden over hill and dell
The COON OF coming battle fell
Ou peaceful Pennsylvania.
Through Maryland's historic land,
With bcaStful tongue and spelling hand,
They burst-a fierce and tamished band
Right into Pennsylvania.
Then sudden DER the slumbering plain
Red flashed the battles fiery rain,
The volleying cannon shook again
The hills Of Pennsylvania.
The breathless shoCk-the maddened toll
Inc sudden elinch-the sharp recOil,
Aud we were masters OF the soil
In bloody Pennsylvania.
But. ali. the heaps OF loyal slain,
The bloody tOu-the bitter pain
For those who shall not stand again
In pleasant Pennsylvania.
Eack through the verdaat valley lands
last He'd the foe in frightened bands,
With broken SEordS and empty hands,
cut Of fair Pennsylvania.
Soldiers, extend to you a cordial wei
come. Words cannot add to the laurels
you have won. You were the brave de-
tenders Of our common country IN her hour
of peril. and but give to voice to the senti-
ments of every true American heart when
| say honor the boy in blue While l
gladly crest you my thoughts cannot but
turn to those comrades whose place in your
ranks are vacant. They are gone; some
went down in the first shock Of battle; 9th
ers fell when the victory was almost won
and the sky was glowing with the down OF
peace. Some breathed out their lives amid
the pestilentisl odors of Southern prisons
while many since, ike their grand old com
msnder, have fallen asleep in the quiet Of
peaceful homes, surrounded BY those they
held most de.r. They are not here, bat
we cherish the memory of their
noble deeds and brighter glory shall cluster
around their names as the long years roll
BY
ON southern hillSldss, parched and brown,
In tangled sw@mpS, on ycrliant ridge
Where pines and broadening oaks look down
Aud jasmine weaves Its yellow crown,
And trumpet CT ca n GlOthe the hedge;
Along the shores Of endless sands.
Beneath the palms OF Southern plains,
sleeps eVeryWhere-hand locked IN hand
The brothers Of this gallant band.
Soldiers once-sgain eitizens-benesth the
shadow of that dear old flag which you so
often bore amid Kissing shot and screaming
shell, extend to you q heartfelt greeting.
Your brave beds have added new lustre to
its starry folds, and it floats to-day, not one
star missing, Ger the grsndest nation Of
IN emeu the world has ever known, and it is
to all, as we trust It may ever be, the en-
benz Of liberty, the symbol OF Eight and
law" Hcssnnss for land redeemed, the
bayonet sheathed, the cannon dumb.
Goae the one stain that on IL fel.
And bettersd by his chast ming rod,
With streaming eyes uplitt 10 God.
We say, Gle doeth al thing vel"
Small Minds Hard to Make Up.
Prei,srS Weekly,
"Hsvs you agreed on Q verdict in that
csseT said q Judge to the Jury. I've have
not. your honor" 81 an surprised" said
the Judge. Il am sure could have de-