The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-08-22

L
drafted, by authority which must respect to
do duty on this platform. Like the men who
were drafted during the war, l must accept my
fate and do the best 1 can under the circum
stances, although l fear that you, in common
sorry for the circumstances which have prevent
ed the appearance of the regular speakers.
+ [ am not altogether wi thout Inspiration for the
OCCASION; 1t Is always inspiring to watch even
the smallest military movement of any kind.
The uniformity of dress, the discipline of move
ment, the momentum of the mighty tread, the
/ mastery of the governing mind, and the eXhiI-
aration of fife and drum, or martial music, all
combine to stir the most sluggish blood and to
call into play the most latent powers of body and
mind. Though it may be that the only lmmedl-
ate object had in view is the begetting of famil-
manual of arms or the giving of bit of color
and stir to minutely local celebration, every
movement and every sound is full of rich sug-
gestion, and is connected with stirring associa-
tions But when old soldiers, who have been
% Wa9h eaIary IA ana var bsFs
been choked by the dust of rigorous marches
and blackened by the smoke of crucial battles,
fall into line for the smallest occasion or IN the
feweSt numbers, ones thoughts rise far above
! the ordinary level to heights where views extend
/ to the very horizon of events, and to the very
maelstroms of great circulatory forces. One is
! reminded not only of battles fought, suffering
illustrated, but also of great boundaries estab-
lshed great principles vindicated, and lnestl7
mable results achieved, secured and transmitted
country and of the world at large.
And there is signal popularity. connected
When l6 I'VE we look % upon Old Glory floating so
majestically from yonder flagstaff, we do not
form the web and woof of the textrile fabric. the
woolen bunting. as we do of the whole banner
and its great significance as sign in the heavens
In this way all defects in texture of the original
making, all the frayings of time in the passage
of the years, and all the defacements Incidental
to accident as well as age are lost entirely to
view. Bright from the loom or weatherbeaten
from the sky, it is the grand old banner which
we recognize revere and cheer. Similarly, in
| looking nnOp the veterans although tley be
nearest neighborS, with whom are most ia
miliarly acquainted, we do not think so much
of their personalities, their common or particu-
lar peculiarities or faults, as do of the grand
chain of which they. were links, or rather of the
whole national fabric to which they belong and
for which they have done so much to preserve it
in its proud emlnence.
1 might with justice say, that the thoughtful
mind keeps them at a certain distance IN order
to secure the effects-the subduing effects of an
appropriate perspective. There is perspective
in history as well as in scenery, in which lis
distance lends enchantment to the view" The
enchant1nent of mellowed hues of softened out
lines, and harmonious whole, in which un-
slightly things are lost to view in the grand en-
semble, and every prospect pleases. linus II
eta ' nf a we f tn
the more conspicuous and significant do the
principal events appear; the more do they excite
our interest and wonder and command our rev
erance and loyalty. And the more, also do they
prompt MS to say:
Lives there a man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land?
But, personally, 1 must confess to still another
feeling growing out of other considerations than
those already referred to and it is not altogeth-
er the feeling, chastened and subdued that
may be, that arises from the fact-patent as
behold them-that the years are swiftly marking
them with the insignia of age; so that
g The souls dark cottage, battered and decayed,
Lets in new light through chinks which time
has made"
The feeling to which refer has another origin.
I saw our defenders in fort and field, in tent and
hospital; have memoranda filed with Incl
dents and studies of soldiers and events as saw
them in close proximity and actual occurrence.
When L re-read those sketches can scarcely
believe my own handwriting, so passing all fic-
recorded; ; SO amusing, instructive, pathetic IN
spring and thrilling were the things that trans
pired under my own observation And thus it
, happens when look upon the veterans, they are
to me as the fanfare of the bugle which resur-
rectS forgotten things from the graves of the
memory and causes them to stand before me as
they were in the old stirring times of the war.
And every meeting of the Grand Army IN which
l may happen to participate or to be present at
whether it be reminiscent memorial, or only
routine or festive is reviver of old associations
! and an inspirer of the sentiment that the great
national legacy which has been so heroically de-
Tended must be sacredly treasured Men may
falter in the martial step and quaYer IN the vocal
chords and weaken in the general vim of life
; but the grand heritage they have preserved for
, us is immortal.
While speaking thus seriously do not mean
to imply that the grayer, broader considerations
of occasions like this should preclude in any
friendly and even festive intercourse. like to
look upon young people; like to hear them
. laugh; L sympathize with them in their enjoy
ments, just as sympathize with the kittens that
play and the lambs that gambol L have ever
watched the young trip the light fantastic toe
without being upset in equanimity; but [ like
still better to get among the veterans of life who
in spite of gray hairs, dimning eyes and increas
ing wrinkles, have not forgotten how TO laugh
like to meet etwith the old fellows who know how
: to preserve youthful spirit in an aged frame
l There is such thing as so keeping in the sun
/
{ warmth after the chief fuel of the ordinary life
has been consumed.
a young soldier who at the battle Of Mobile haC
: received a shattering sheu-wound above the knet
: mish said to him after the operation was wei
over: We'll, my boy, tn S IS n rather tough lqcl
fqE yep 20E 6st as fh he me motto he hao
" set up for himself. That is the kind of spirit t.
! initiate. Never say die" Instead of dimin
d ishing the occasions which bring veterans to
. gether, instead of lessening the good chez
e which break the monotonies of life and lighter
the cares of age, let US multiply and increas
| them. Commingling and communion are gooc
for old souls well as for young ones. Isolation
and non-intercourse are the deadllest foes o
cheerfulness and courage. The oftener the drum
beats g Pots and Kettles" the longer shall W,
be able to defer " The Dead March in Saul"
The worst times are the best times for the ex
r ercise and exhibition of a hope-prevailing and
| hope-producing spirit. Veterans know VIVA
s the face of difficulties. and what miracles hav
| been wrought by cheerfulness and courage. The
diSliked the call for retreat, and reJO1ced a
f the sound of an advance. These are times TO
: the development of similar spirit. Sound tn
S advance instead of the retreat. Fight not onl
k against the grewsomeness of age, but also agains
| the carking tendencies of the times. Instead o
|, kicking at things in general lend hand to eve
l. rything that is hope-inspiring.
At Ministers meeting, the brethren, like tn
l. Kilkenny lriShman, seemed to be ready to hit
d head wherever it appeared. 1t was blue MOnda
with them, and enough growing was done t
l. offset the extra amount Of piety that had bee
f stored up on Sunday. " Brethren,' said an {
year old hentuckian, let me tel! you a story
e An ill-natured farmer was driving along tn
n public highway COW, which from long associa
;, ton with her owner, was as fractions as he. Ii
shouted at her, swore at her, and kicked at he
A. at such incessant rate that finally, disguste
with the world in general and with the farme
r in particular, she pumped herself fiat in th
% highway and refused to bulge an inch, thoug
= the furnace of his wrath was heated seven time
d hotter than usual Presently man came alon
have try at that critter." Being q traVellin
y medicine man, he pulled out be tile of one
Il his preparations and applied it plenttully an
vigorously to the nose of the COW. 1t being
q very strong kind of pain killer, the COW immt
d dlately jumped up and galloped up the road Hk
IS owner said, Mister, hev you got ony more u
v that stuff p 8 Lots p said the vender; -" The
= jist rub hull bottle Nv it onter my back, fer Iv
ri got to git ter ketch that blamed old caow.
lie Now" said the old minister to his younge
= brethren, instead of wasting our strength an
lc spirits by kicking and fretting at things in gel
d eral we should try to get hold of the right kin
II of medicine, being sure withal to make til
n Needless to say there more holy grow
. ing among the ministers that morning. Ihel
lc is application in the story for all OF u.s. an
II the older we grow the more need to make
- Upon the whole, this is a pretty good world
t. come to- good world to live in, a good worl
,e to die in, and good world to emigrate from,
we have done what we could to improve its col
N ditions while we have been tenants of it. An
,e doubtless, these are already your sentiments
- well as mine.
5 DR.. Geo. Sadler entertained his heare
with an exceedingly interesting descriptio
III of the Battle of Nashville, WHICH was tho
d. oughly enjoyed and appreciated. Otht
ol speakers were Messrs. Stutzman and Vicke
rs of Kent, and Jas. Miller and W. S. Krake,
10 Rayenna.
Sc The Picnic was a gratifying success an
the boys" made good appearance in lii
Il and are in excellent drill for the grand paraC
1t. at Pittsburgh. AS heretofore stated the Er
g route has been selected, the train leavi1
Us Ravenna Monday morning, Sept 10th.
LII The headquarters of the Battalion whi
u in Pittsburgh will be in the 32nd Ward Scho