The National tribune., 1893-08-10
MICHIGAN TO NEW YORK.
Col. Bliss Erects a Monument to Madison
County Comrades.

|
Col. Bliss Erects Monument to Madison
County Comrades.
Peterboro, N. Y, the old home of the grea
agitator, Gerrit Smith, has been made the site
| of beautiful monument. 1t was the offering
of Comrade Aaron r. Bliss, of Michigan, late Of
the 10th N. Y. Cav, TO the memory of his com
rades from Madison County, and was unvailed
July 4, 1893.
Col. Bliss presented to the town the monu-
ment, which stands in the village park, in
brief patriotic Speech referring to the grand
achievements of the men who saved the Nation
Henry B. Conan made an eloquent response
There was large representation of the Grand
Army and the Relief Corps in attendance
The monument was unvaied by May Os-
| borne, daughter of one of the Smithfeld veter,
ans, who was appropriately attred in red, white
| and blue. The entire monument is of granite,
and represents a soldier at rest, with his mus
ket before him, mounted upon a granite
pedestal.
| The monument stands in the center of the
park looking almost into the historic home OF
| Gerrit Smith. Above the die OH the front is
the word Charity" and just below the fol-
lowing inscription:
GAR. Memorial Our Country's Defend
|
! the dead"
| On the east side, under the word ERA
| ternity", is the inscription:
! This monument is built in memory of the
men who served in the war of 1876, that
their example may speak to coming genera
| TONS"
On the west side of the die under the word
Loyalty, is the inscription
Erected in honor of the men OF Madison
County who served their country in the war
| which preserved the Union, destroyed slavery
and maintained the Constitution"
On the south side, or back of the die, are the
| words, "Smithfeld gave of her men. Let US
| honor the gallant To-"
On the front of the base is the inscription:
Presented to the town of Smithfeld by
Aaron T. Bliss, July d. 1893"
Washington Gardener Past Department Com
mander of Michigan and President of Albion
College, was the orator of the day, and his ora
tiOn was one of the most brilliant and impas-
stoned he has ever delivered 1t ittingy
celebrated the achievements of men who were
in some of the hardest fought battles of the
Potomac and the Cumberland campaigns.
Since the Col Bliss has been resident
of Michigan and has acquired wealth in the
lumber trade. His home is at Saginaw. He
married a Michigan girl, now Department
President Alaseba Phelps Bliss, and one of the
Trustees of the State Industrial School for
Girls at Adrian. Col. Bliss served in the 51st
Congress, and has held several State Offices.
TO THE UNKNOWN DEAD.
The following extracts are from the grafton
of Comrade II. II. Markham, Governor of Cali
fornia, delivered at San Francisco, CAL Memo
rial Day, 1893 in presenting TO Department
Commander Seymour and the Grand Army of
California, the beautiful monument To the
HI h,yT inn 6nl5
and Meade Corps of that city.
This monument, made of marble the most
beautiful and lasting in the world from a
quarry in your neigh borhood, the material of
which was donated to these ladies by its patri-
otic owners, is a fit symbol of the memory of
those who sleep in unknown graves, but whose
memory will ever remain green in the hearts
of the American people.
l desire to say to the old comrades now
present, that as members of the Grand Army
of the Republic, our heartfelt thanks and deep
est gratitude will ever be due these ladies for
thus remem bering the heroes who, for so many
years, have been sleeping in unknown graves ,
"Com rades hope and trust that you will,
in your own good way, and at your several
Posts pass suitable resolutions expressive of
our appreciation of the thoughtful, timely,
patriotic devotion that is manifested here to-
day by these loyal ladies'; and. as l may never
have another opportunity, desire as COM
rade and as Governor Of the great and loyal
State OF California, to thank and bless them for
this remembrance. A few more
years and the last of that gallant band will
close his eyes. and the place that knows him
will know him no more. The young genera
ton must soon be called upon to take the
wreaths OF roses from the neTveless hands of
the old soldier and place them reverently upon
countless graves which loving hands must keep
green. In the presence of such a monument
as this, they will remember that on many
crimson field the life blood of the Nations de-
tenders ebbed away; that on many night the
solemn stars of heaven looked down upon the
uplifted faces of thousands whom death had
delivered from suffering and pain, and reflect
that the martyred heroes who lie buried in I'M
known graves have rendered to their country
the most exalted service known to God or man.
To sacrifice ones life on the altar of patriotism
is indeed, the highest effort of unselfish love.
Beyond these sacriicial nights human nature
has never gone, and greater service than this
humanity has never known.
Hang fresh garlands upon this monument
each year. and thus consecrate it anew to the
heroism that preserved the Republic"
ALL ALONG THE LINE.
At last reports there were 80 inmates in the
National Relief Corps Home, of whom Is are
confined to their rooms. One good old lady
of So suffers from heart disease, and two are
afflicted with dropsy.
The four St. Louis Relief Corps realized
handsomely on an excursion for the benefit of
the Missouri Relief Corps Home. The Posts
assisted generously The Home has been in
corporated.
Past Department President Agnes c. Ster-
rift, of Missouri, mas been made Chairman of
the Department Relief Committee, a position
she will fill with ability and fraternal sympa-
thy.
Department President Emily s. Parker. of
Missouri, has appointed Marion l.. Powell. of
Corps 3, st. Louis, and Bell Seaman, of Corps 6,
St. Louis, among the Assistants of Department.
J. and l. Officer Mary Estes, of Lebanon. 1t
is presumed their associates are equally up in
their work. and excellent service thus assured.
Past National President Sarah E. Fuller has
been honored by William Logan Rodman Post,
of New Bedford, Mass, by the presentation to
the Corps of fine plantenotype of herself,
handsomely framed. Mrs. Fuller organized
Rodman Corps, and greatly endeared herself to
the comrades as we'll as Corps members at that
time The Post surprised the Corps with a
call, bearing their gift with them. Commander
Chamberlain made pleasant presentation
acceptance by President Caldwell.
Referring to the Elocutionists' Convention at
Chicago Werner's Magazine, New York, has the
following concerning d favOrite in GAR. and
W.R.C. circles:
Zone of the best extempore speeches made