The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-06-07


be upon us. Who would interpose by
placing their lives upon their country's
alter in order that we might again live
in peace2 Why, the very men to whom
we are paying tribute to-day with their
living comrades. At the firing upon Ft.
Sumter the whole North sprang to arms
arrayed for the purpose OF defending
what they thought to be just and right.
The call "to arms" arose loud and clear,
and loyal legions answered, "here." A
mighty war was begun, the greatest civil
war ever known. The war for Inde-
pendence was not suc, q one as this.
1t was with united effort that the
North and South were successful in con-
quering the Engishmcn. 1t was one
country against another, but not so in
the late rebellion. Brother was warning
against brother. The strong chain that
had been welded in the white heat OF
battle at Lexington and Bunker Hill
now burst asunder, and that spirit and
feeling of love for our country which
had made our nation so powerful in the
minds of other nations changed to dis
grace and sorrow. These brave, loyal
patriotic men went forth to protect our
liberty, property and the eternal princi.
pie of justice.
"Resolved that union of lakes and union
OF lands,
None shall sever;
| A union OF hearts and union OF hands,
Our flag and union for ever and ever"
That union was preserved, that flag
floats proudly to-day with its stars and
stripes kissed by the winds OF Heaven.
"Not a stripe erased or single star
obscured." Afterpeace had been declared
and the smoke of battle has passed away,
the sun OF prosperity shed forth her
light and soon in every department of
business the busy hum of industry was
heard. Advancement along every chan
mel was observed. 1t is useless to speak
further of our condition.
1t is every chiId's knowledge that we
are the most prosperous nation Of people
on Gods green earth. Forever let him
who would lift hand against an old
soldier hide his face for shame, and for
ever thereafter hold his peace. We who
have lost friends on battle-ields are
panied when our fathers are spoken OF
in a sneering, disrespectful way.
We well remember when they bade
us goodbye, and clasped our hands for
the last time. We watched them until
they disappeared from our sight. They
never returned.
'Their written words we fingered o'er.
But in the sun they cast no shade.
No voice was heard, no sign was made,
No step was on the conscious floor"
Little did many OF us know what war
was, but soon in sorrow its effects we
felt. They fell that we might live.
Homes were destroyed, hearts broken.
From some father was taken, from
others brothers were separated.
"They grew in beauty side by side,
They filed one home with glee
But now their graves are severed far and wide
BY mount, and stream, and sea-"
Days, months and years were spent
in anxious watching for their return, but
to many their watching was in vain.
Night after night mothers with their
little family would invoke Gods bless
ings upon father and pray that the arm
Of protection might be about him, and
that he be permitted to return home in
safety. Though many fell, yet thank
God they were not all taken. There
we're few left to tell the sad, sad story,
and teach us, their sons, what it is to be
loyal.
Is there a son of one OF these country
loving veterans whose heart will not to-
day be turned anew with pride that he
is son OF soldier? remember well
of an expression made by Captain Car
son when Carson Camp was mustered in.
He said "boys, the proudest thing that
you can ever boast OF is that you are
sons OF soldiers" The organization OF
Sons OF Veterans is one OF the grandest
orders ever instituted. Throughout the
country Camps are being established.
On the 9th OF this month in the city
Of Dayton at our State encampment, five
thousand sons were in attendance.
Members af the Grand Army Of the Re-
public, we do not intend that the pri.
vations and difficulties you passed
through while on the battlefield, shall
be forgotten. While times lasts, this
day will be observed with much solemnity
by your sons and their sons. This shall
continue down though the coming gen.
erations. Members OF the Grand Army
of the Republic, still few OF you are
left to meet and pay tribute to your
sleeping brothers, who were with you in
battle. No doubt as you pass by their
graves to-day, You will see them, as it
were, by your side when the fatal wound
was inflicted. saw them fall, and no