The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-06-06

address by the President of the Day.
vas carried out, the only omission be-
ng the impressive q. A. r. Decora-
ioh Service. omitted on account of
he rain, which commenced to fall as
his part of the programe was reached.
The floral offerings were profuse and
varied, those listed in the grateful
work of remembrance, contributing
generously of time and money in pro-
curing the choicest of natures produc-
tions emblematic of the beauty and !
purity of patriotism, whose fragrance |
should breathe forth the thank offer |
ings of grateful hearts, and perfumed
sighs ascend laden with sorrow for
the soldier dead, who so freely yielded
their lives for country and home.
At the head and foot of each grave
was placed geranium by comrades of
Mcintosh Post, thus bestowing equal
tributes on every sacred resting place
The number of those in attendance
was large. exceeding that of many
former years, and had the weather
been more favorable, many more
weuld have added their presence to
the occsssion. AS it was, the process
sion of carriages was by far the longest
ever witnessed on memorial day
I. T. siddall Esq delivered an ex
cellent and appropriate address, which
elected favorable comments from all
who heard it, and received particular
ly high compliments from the G. A
r. boys, who pronounced it one of the
best they ever listened to. We give it
in full:
Ladies' and Gentlemsn:
This occasion admonishes silence 1t impress
es one with a profound sense of the impropriety
of speech.
We are here to pay personal. and in a sense
national, respect to the memory of heroic dead !;
but no words can break the deep and awful 81
lence of the grave In life, however, it is
pleasant to think that we shall be remembered
after death and while the hand of sympathy
and love cannot reach the silent sleepers of the
tomb, yet by the proper observance of this Gus
tom, generations yet unborn will be taught to
respect the memory and revere the names of
those who obeyed their countrys call and fell in
her defense.
We are not here to recount the conflicts of
the recent war; We are not here to awaken those
passions which moved the hearts of men in that
mighty urn of time. We are not here to discuss
or critcise to laud the victors or condemn the
vanqushed but as every man who laws down
his life in defense of his nation fl lg, whatever
the cause, is the nations hero, it is but proper
that such of our dead be embalmed in nation S
love, and it is but fitting that great people
should testify their sense of gratitude for this
human sacrifice.
1t will not be amiss, however, to reflect upon
the moving cause which led prosperous people
to exchange the blessings and benedictions of
peace for the withering hand of civil strife.
Mo-e than an hundred years ago the seeds of
war were sown by innocent and patriotic hands.
A constitution of freemen with guarantees of
the inalienable rights of man to all. which rec
ognized the involuntary servitude of any portion
of the human race, contained. if not germ of
certain dissolution that which could be severed
from it only by the sword.
Our forefathers were moved by that spirit
which cannot brook oppression. 1t was the
| spirit of Freedom. Liberty they purchased by
| blood. and the spirit of liberty was transmitted
/ to noble sons from illustrious ancestors. 1t is
not surprising that great people, taught in the
school of freedom and equality, and pointing
with so much pride to such an ancestry, should
demand that the liberty thus inherited cherished
and maintained, should include every race of
/ the human family. 1t is more surprising that
slavery existed with such a people for three
| quarters of century. The constitution, how
ever. recognized the institution of slavery, and
| that instrument was revered by law abiding
people. But liberty, IS defined in the eonsti-
tuition. was not, in the light of succeeding years
broad and universal enough. and did not in all
respects conform to liberty as defined by natural
| right.
In this contrariety and condition of :hings the
e ,..l,-
| terrible motive power to agitation. Agitation
| engendered division. and division eliminated in
| war; 1t was but the natural growth of liberty
| with Christian people. Slavery stood in the
way of the march of liberty to universally, and
war the result.
| Who was responsible for slavery l know not
| and it never will be knowingly and truthfully
i told. Our forefathers had somewhat mscon-
| ception of it. viewing 1t from the standpoint oi
the present, but they did the best that was then
possible; and Notwithstanding this germ of evil
| they gave to the world the best declaration OF
principles upon which to build nation growth
| that was ever written. 1t would not be Just to
| attribute. the scourge of human slavery to the
| trainers OF the constitution or the States ratify-
ing it. All good is not accomplished by sing
| act, or else growth might become impossible.
| Professionalism in England for nearly two centu-
| ries was but the servile handmade of royalty and
| intoerant ministries. 1t ives the steady enemy
| OF all religious liberty except the liberty pre-
| scribed by the Established Church, yet Protes-
| tantlsm was bold step toward religious freedom.
Advancement i'll all stages and phases of civ
T ization have been through difficulties and by
| means which, after being reviewed from the past,
| might be subject of criticism
Again, it would be asking of others the exer-
else OF virtues which those who ask would in all
probability not practice, to say that slavery, pro-
tected as an institution bv fundamental law,
T
was condition. Its agitation was the fierce
conflict OF opinion. 1t may seem strange to
some at this day, that it was capable of but one
opinion; but the history of the race shows it
has been. We have, and can have but one ;
but man IS so inconsistent creature that it is
impossible to reason from any standpoint but his
own, and human nature s.such that we see ev-
cry weakness but our own. We are SO influ-
enced by birth, education, surrounding circum-
stances, by ideas always advanced and tacity
acted upon, that our own belief is not fully un-
der the control of our own will. 1t is best il
lustrated in the religious world. Many Cath
oc Christian believes that Professionalism is apos-
tacy, while many Protestant Christian believes
the Catholic faith is ignorance and ungodliness :;
but partisan Of neither who is fair minded,
will be charitable enough to believe both sim
cere, if not both in error
In this charitable view, while we honor the
dead, let us look upon the past and as slavery.
ditnOuSn not tne immediate, W2S the primary
cause of war; let us thank the Great Ruler of
human destiny that war was Its eternal destruc-
tion
You and l, our common country mankind
and the world at large, were and a-e benefited
by that destruction.
But while we enjoy the inheritance of liberty
universal bequeathed by the blood of SO many
heroes-the legacy of war-how appropriate it
is that we testify grateful remembrance of those
who tasted its most bitter fruit. Some rest here
Every mound that marks such resting place
is silent witness of the sacrifice of ones life
for others. For us and for mankind they accept
ed death and by this one supreme act, sum
med up and perfected the highest virtues of
men. We but testify to part of the Divine
nature in man. and do honor to ourselves when
we honor such of our dead.
Some fell. in the full vigor and with the flat
tering hopes of early manhood, by the hand of
violence; some, wearied by long marches and
borne down by disease, welcomed that quiet
which neither time nor turmoil could disturb
some faced the skeleton monster, famine, and in
its frightful embrace the senses, sickened and
maddered by visions of horror, life's f1icker,ng
light was shut out forever by the curtain of time
We can never give language to their suffe. ngs.
ic cia