Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-08-25
MAUMEE PIONEERS
Once More Meet In Joyful An
nuaI Reunion.
RINGING SPEECHEs-MEMoR.
IAL ADDREss-PICNIC,

the organization.
Liberty Center and the farmers of
the surrounding country have always
been known to be the very best OF
entertainers. and on this occasion,
when they combined in extending hos
pitality it did seem as though the
thousands of visitors could not by any
| possible stretch of the imagination
have conceived any better results.
1t was the 29th reunion and was
looked forward to as time of general
rejoicing for months as has been all
prior ones. Nor were any present who
were disappointed with the days
pleasure.
The scene of the picnic was Young's
grove situated in the rear of G. c.
Youug's residence and almost in the
heart of the town, so that what was
lacking in shade was doubly made up
from the fact that the pioneers were
relieved from walking any great dis
tance.
A special was run up from Toledo
and all other trains both east and west
rolled into the depot with crowded
coaches
The exercises began with the opening
of the roster by the secretary and some
20 members taken into the society.
Paris Pray who by virtue of being
the oldest member was the president.
appointed G. G. Young master of
ceremonies.
A local mixed chorus furnished
music for the occasion and Rev.
Woodruff pronounced the invocation.
Captain Bowker on behalf of Liberty
Center and in a beautifully worded
and well delivered speech welcomed the
pioneers to this village and extended
heartily all the facilities the place
afforded.
The response was made by Hon.
Frank J. Scott, of Toledo. He eu-
logiZed Capt. Bowker's oratorical abil-
ity and thanked Liberty Center for its
hospitality. He praised the pioneers
assembled for their thrift and hard
labor but claimed that the pioneer
work is not yet done; that the man
who clears farm to-day has just as
much to contend with as Older settlers.
He also expressed no little sympathy
for the deposed red man who mani
testify was robbed of his rights.
The years neurology was read by
Secretary Smith in which fitting
tributes were paid to the memory of
Gen'l Day. H. Scott, Isaac Karsner,
Lucinda Hoskins and Asher Cook.
A recitation entitled "The Banner
Betsy Made" by Miss Mate Viers was
no light part of the program, the
young lady in question proving her
self posses sed ofrare elocutionary pro-
clivities. Her modulation was border
ing on perfect.
Following a song, the pioneers led by
G. c. Young and J. NJ. Ashley, filed
to the festal board spread in the
orchard near by, and what with a
of Liberty townships best
and pleasing "reminiscences, ringing
laughter and hand shaking, pure
unalloyed pleasure held full sway for
hearty two hours.
Afternoon Session.
The Liberty Center Band played a
selection following which Hon. J. NJ.
of Toledo, was introduced.
To most of his hearers Mr.. Ashley
needed no introduction he having
been prominent character before the
people for over score of years.
The orator after several pleasing
Introductory remarks, plunged
at once into the heavyweight portion
of his discourse by dividing pioneers
into two classes: those who conceive,
plan and projects and those who organ
ize, command and execute. The first
Theoretical" the second 'practicaln.
He thought that one was indispensable
to the other and that labor was equ-
ally entitled to affair proportion of the
wealth which is created; that in order
to do this he must first own himself,
and it was for this first proposition
that he made vigorous crusade
against slavery.
After dwelling on political economy
to some length, he referred to the
Maumee Valley as one of rare beauty,
and not properly appreciated by the
residents. He said that he had travel
ed all over the world and that he could
see no reason why We should be
ashamed of our valley.
In describing the Maumee river he
incorporated the lines by Mrs. Sher-
wood which read:
"Oriver of the pursing vine,
o river of the corn and wine
Driver where the gilden peach
Hangs lucious on the pebbled beach;
Where glide the galleys of the seas
In laughter laden argoses;0
o river, consecrate to truth
In proud Ohio's royal youth
Thy deeds are dear to poesv,
.tg., Maumee, Maumee." :
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