Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-03-25
family an abundance of happiness and
success through life,
Receiving this elegant testimonial of
such gallant friendship Mr., Brownlow
said

such gallant friendship Mr., Brownlow
said
GENTLEMEN OF TIE SOLDIERS Roll
| am gratified that am as the recipient
of this beautiful gift privileged to speak
to you old soldiers today. Although |
volunteered in the federal army at the
age of 13 years. was refused muster
( into the service on account of my minor
ity. Therefore cannot claim a brother
hood in your noble circle, but it is well
that you have numbered among your
, friends one whose boyish heart and
Imagination were touched with tales of
hardships, privations, battle and impris-
onments in the struggle for national unity.
1t is fitting that your deeds should be
chronicled in silver and gold. The high
est art, the greatest expenditure of money
can not create book too beautiful to
record the history of the humbest soldier
in the ranks.
The gallant officers, the celebrated gen
erals of our civil war have won by name
the gratitude of a nation Through all
time they shall be recognized for their
courage and their talents; but it is the
private soldier who has won our tenderest
sympathy. For him there is no personal
fame to cover the monument of the dead
with laurel, to soften the pains of declin-
ing years with the peoples praise.
The record Of the private soldier is
date of enlistment, date of battles, date
of wound or Imprisonment, date of dis
charge, or death. But between these
lines we may read of the sufferings of a
martyr anxieties for the dear ones at
home, exposure to heat and cold, biting
hunger, midnight tramps with aching
limbs through mud and rain the lonely
watch on picket duty with every shadow
an enemy and every moment possible
death, side by side in battle to do and die
like a machine, perhaps months in the
hell of Andersonville, burrowing like q
mole in the sand, covered with yermin,
half dead in filth, praying for death, and
if in the end ever to see home with health
broken and shattered to struggle through
life, in the hot race of men, only half
possessing the endowments which nature
had bestowed upon the mani Do not
wonder | honor admire, and love the
officer who won deserving fame; but my
warmest feelings are for the humble men
in the ranks who made that fame posi-
ble-for the private soldier whose chief
monument will be raised in the hearts Of
successful generations.
The positions you hold on the soldiers
rolf were not given TO you alone, but to
you as the representatives of the gallant
dead of yesterday. 1t is but ye' terday the
gun at Fort Sumpter dispelled like mists
before the sun, doubts, perpleXities from
the minds of men, leaving only a stern, a
fierce determination to preserve the IN
ion, at whatever cost
As Peter the Hermit reused to the Cru
sades all the nations of Europe, crying as
one people: ut is the voice of Godp' this
cannon shot hurled the people into the
mightiest crash of arms the world had
ever witnessed.
Other people have engaged in wars
from inclination, education, for spoils or
for renown. But we had loved peace, had
cultivated the arts of peace. 1t was the
tradesman who had left his business, the
mechanic his shop the farmer his plow
the tyro who had never handled a gun
and sickened at the sight of blood becom-
ing the hardened veteran in a month, not
because he loved war; but because he low.
ed his country.
can myself remember the faces of
young and old who crowded into the
ranks. There was patriotism if it ever
existed on the earth
The boy left his mother, his sweetheart.
The man his wife, his children. re-
] hap na Ia ot III Il
breaking hearts, the cruel, crushing an
Xiety of those at home to learn of our
own when tidings of battles came. We
] dwelt as in national cemetery. The hand
/ of death was spread over every household.
A quarter of a century has elapsed
They who were old men-survivors of the
WARFARE gone The middle aged have
nearly left us. The young will soon have
dropped like withered leaves to their last
resting place. But the memory Of them
and of their deed is immortal.
As has been first said, there was thing
worse than war; worse even than the loss
disunion. But this was and is true be.
cause union represents the best interests
and highest advancement of the people.
! And we, the soldiers and the citizens
have our duty TO perform in these times
of peace. We should show our appreci
alton of the soldiers sacrifices by an
earnest defense and steadfast protection
of good and honest government. This
can best be effected by instruction of the
young into an intelligent citizenship.
1t is our duty, also, as well by private
beneticence as public laws, to see that no
soldier shall want for kindness, for SYM
pathy, or for needed aid Let something
of the divine mercy soften the lives Of
the veterans transgrcssions. To our er-
ring children the parents love tempers
the rod. To the man who has worn the
blue let there be honor for his virtues,
reward for his merits, balm for his
wounds, clothing for his nakedness, food
for his hunger and charity for his sins.
Gentlemen, cannot permit this occas
ion to pass by without thanking you for
the cordial support you have given my
administration of the Doorkeeper's office
| have always found you courteous, at
tentive and faithful to your posts, like
the true.and tried soldiers that you are
That you were faithful was not surpris.
ing in itself, for old soldiers can no more
help doing their duty than they can help
breathing. Neither am surprised at the
uniform courtesy that has always marked
your demeanor to me, for brave soldier
is always gentleman, but what has graf.
flied me is that outside of our official re.
lations you at once extended the hand OF
fellowship and made me feel that though
not veteran, was still one of you. Fol
that, gentlemen, you will always have my
warmest gratitude.
do not know what kind surprises fort
une may have in store foi me but am
sure that she can have nothing that
shall value as highly as do this. She
may shower favors at my feet, she may
load me with gold and treasure, but sh,
can give me nothing better, nor near a,
good, as the esteem and confidence Of
fourteen brave and gallant men, every
man of whom has lef; part of his life
IN the altar nf his nOnntrr'c Ehortv Th;,