The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-08

army. For Kansas was not only che first
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
ReDublic has contributed its quota TO swell
this magnificent population, and there are
men sitting aro'.nd quiet ncarthstones IN
every county OF the state VINO can give per
sonaI rccOllectIoHs Of every march, every
campaign. every battle OF the war. from
RuU Run TO BeEtonVille- In this audience,
/ have no doubt, are men who have been
participants in every great battle of the Re-
DeROn.
Here in Kansas, too, is q general on of
young men and women who have IN their
yfens the hood OF heroes and patriots. In
this audience are hundreds OF young me1
aud women whose baby ewes witnessed sad
partings when their fathers hurried away 20
join the company mu STEERING IN the village
SQUARE. Here are mstronS vino we're young
wives sweethearts or sisters chen. and who,
bIIsy with household cares, heard the flnt
thrObbing of the far-away drum and days
and weeks before wore was spoken. read in
the troubled but resoiute ewes OF husbands,
lovers and brothers the tfought that was
busr N ter brsDS-the thought of a
stricken cCs ntry. sadly needing men. They
knew these patient lOFing women. what
was coming, and liz rho Silence or their
rooms, in loneliness anG bitter tears, they
PRAYED that. if possible. the shadow of this
great grief might be lifted from their home:
and that those nearest and dearest 10 them
might remain, TO lghten their cares ana
the word was spoken. q race of Self-sacr nc
ing and heroic women stood side By side N
patriotic devotion wEh a race of heroic men.
and the whole world learned, es the long pro,
cession of weary months and years went by
that the men and women or 40 had worthy
successors in che EHen and women OF 'tl anu
10
The .'boyy" Of tyventy-three years ago Pre-
men of mature age: the men OF that day are
growing old. The faded and tattcrcd battle
! flags they followed are preserved in the
! State houses. The old sword or muSgei
! hanging over the mantel is rusty with age
Every year the ranks are thinning. Wounds
and isease, the legacy of battlefield, march
and biVoUac, are dong their sure work. The
/ glad picture they saw, locking forward
| through the lurid smoke and 6aine OF t.a1tse'
| as the reward OF their tolls and sacrifices
the picture OF mighty Nat on. compact
pros erCus. free and respected by AL the
! Nations of the earth-has been fully realized.
There IS no limit 10 the power, no measure
! to the wealth Of the redeemed and enIran-
! chiSed Republic Only the memories Ct &
| heroic struggle are left us. But until the
last survivors OF the Grand Army That
] marched and fought with Lyon. BiHnt. Ac'
| Clciian ROsecrans. Meade. Sheridan, Tb0maS.
Sherman ard Grant. are tualiY mustered
out, let them preserve their coniar1cSh =
! and keep forever fresh and FAIR ia the I
/ hearts the glorious recOliectlons and Sill
more glorious principles of the far away
DAYS when they whre soldiers OF the lie
! public.
Soldiers of the Unionl again / bid you
welcome. / welcome yon, as C tizcns OF this
| great State. to its capital | welcome you as
patriot heroes. who. during the darkest DAYS
the Republic has ever known. gladly and
proudly per led health and life to save II
! 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.