Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-05-31

perpetuity Of their country. Great war
meetings were held,and words OF burn
ing eloquence were spoken. The fife
and the drum added patriotic insplra-
ton. Young men by scores pressed
TO the front aud added their names to
the rolls, while their patriotism and
vslor were sppuladed.
Who is not proud Of Ohios record
In that great war? Who that does not
respect and honor her citizen soldiery?
1t Is said that the Ohio man is to be
found in all places of honor and trust;
and perhaps It Is true, but IL so that
patriotic army was no exception for Of
the two and one-half millions Of young
men who enlisted beneath the folds OF
the stars and stripes, every eighth man
came from Ohio. On every battle field
from Bull Run to Appomattox, the
Onio man was present, aud did his
whole duty.
For four long weary years loyal and
loving hearts at home had followed
with their prayers. How eagerly they
looked for information from you, aud
after the battle had been fought, how
anxiously they ran over the list Of the
dead and wounded fearing that they
should finu the name of loved one.
| But when from Appomattox the hap
py tidings was flashed over the wire
that rebellion was crushed. the flag
was saved, and the boys were coming
home, how the loyal hearts of millions
leaped with joy and gladnessa joy
| and gladness that cannot be forgotten;
and today seventy millions of people
return thanks and honor to the boys
who wore the blue.
But oh, what welcome. Father
and mother, wife ana children were
there to grasp you by the hand and
imprint the kiss Of love upon your lips.
stretched arms to welcome you home
again. But with all that joy and glad
ness there was sorrow and anguish,
for those who had laid down their lives
upon the altar of their country.
Yes, some had come before, and were
laid in yonder cemetery, others, per-
chance were filling graves unmarked
and unknown to ali, save the eye of
Omnipotence. Others, maybe, filling
an honored grave in some Of our great
National cemeteries.
Lest l forget it, | desire to assure
the veterans that while they are cndur-
| ing suffering, naru.-lps and dangers
for national unity the great loyal heart
of Ohio with her Citizen Soldiery.
That heart followed you from camp to
camp and tbrobbed with joy and pride
at your gallant conduct on an hundred
battle fields.
The sacrifices of loyal people which
resulted in victory cannot be estimated.
They are too vast. Billions upon bill
lions of treasure We're spent; and vast
as are these great sums; they are in
significant in comparison with the
blood OF million freemen, which was
freely poured upon the Altar Of Civil
Liberty.
Had your purpose been to exhibit
bravery and triumph over defeated
foe, your sacrifices would have been
in vain; but your contention was not
the acquisition of territory, or the de-
sire of triumph.
The valor our armies conquered
peace, contentment and reunited
country, sacredly dedicated to the holy
cause of freedom; more, it brought us
united country forever freed from
that fostering canker sore of American
slavery; that foul blot upon our proud
escutcheon which has been in the past
a constant source or Irritation between