The Columbus journal., 1900-03-21

monument to the city.
Remarks Of j. II. Galley in turning
over the monument to the City Council:
Honorable Mayor and Members OF the
City Council Of Columbus, Nebr. .:-As
chairman OF the monument committee.
it gives me great pleasure this day to
meet 90 many of my fellow citizens on
this occasion who have assembled hero
to participate in dedicating this monu-
ment.
In behalf Of the comrades Of Baker
Post No. 8, q. A. r, wish to thank the
citizens OF Columbus for their generous
contributions that made it possible for
ms to erect this monumental shaft to the
memory OF those soldiers and sailors,
both on land and sea. who offered their
lives for the security Of the citizens. and
the unity Of the states. Though silent,
it is sacred to every loyal and patriotic
heart; it needs no words to assure us
that our dead are held in remembrance.
1t is an object lesson I" our children, OF
the patriotism Of their sires. It is sig
nificant of brave and loyal obedience to
the command OF the nation in the days
OF its peril.
Mr.. Mayor and members of the COun-
Gil OF the City of Columbus, and your
successors: In behalf of Baker Post No.
9, department of Nebraska. G. A. r.,
now place in your care this monument.
May it's silence ever impress upon You
the sacredness OF the trust; may you
ever guard it. in memory Of those who
fought for the unity OF our nation, and
the preservation Of our glorioas, flag
that its stars and stripes might float over
q united nation. In few short years
this great army OF veterans will have
passed away to the great beyond where
the tap of the drum will fail to awake
them. Soon. but few will answer to the
roll call Of their posts on Memorial day
to decorate the graves OF their comrades.
but this shaft may, by your care. stand
for all time, as an emblem of the pa
triotism of the citizens of Columbus,
and our loyal dead.
Mayor Fitzpatrick responded.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN:-As I look backward
over life's pathway, see many, many
bright and happy days, and many pleas
ant occasions. And Mr.. Chairman, let
me assure you that the pleasure of being
privileged to he present here today and
to receive from your hands this precious
document, given in behalf of Baker Post
No. 9. to the city OF Columbus. 1t is a
pleasure that crowns all storms. pleas
ure that I shall never forget. 1t is an
honor that am proud OF and why should
I not be?
The pleasure Of witnessing these i'm
pressive ceremonies coupled with your
eloquent address, in presenting that
monument. that beautiful shaft to the
city of Columbus, has carried many of
US. all, 1 will say, back to the scenes of
our boyhood, back to the dark. stormy
days of the early sixties. You hear again
that Fort Sumpter has fallen; you see
again the dark war clouds rolling over
our fair land; you are among the first to
respond to the presidents call for volun-
teers; you feel again the fond embrace of
your weeping mother and sisters; fare
we'll kiss and You are of for the war.
As you near the corner of the street or a
bend in the road you slacken your pace,
you halt and look backward. Love
beckons you to return. Duty beckons
you forward. Your first battle is being
fought. Duty is victorious and you start
forward a man, a soldier, an American
Of Gods noblemen,
going forth OF yonr own free will to bat
tie for the union of states.
There is no body of men, no Organiza-
tion on Gods footstool more deserving
OF a monument to their memory and
than the American volunteer.
I mean you comrades of the civil war.
You who at the fatal battle OF Bull Run
faced overpowering numbers. You bat
tied with the enemy hour after hour,
until they advanced on you forty thous-
and strong and forced you to retreat,
leaving fifteen hundred dead and wOnnd-
ed on the field.
You who faced the storm OF shot and
she'll at Fort Donaldson and forced Gen.
to surrender with fifteen thous-
and prisoners. You who battled at NAL
vern Hill, and Winchester, You whose
souls were tried in the two days terrible
battle at Shiloh, where twenty thousand
lay dead and wounded on the field.
Again You are at the second battle of
Bull Run. You have not forgotten your
retreat Of the year before. You have
not forgotten the dead and dying CON-
rades you were forced to leave on that
awful field. A homely saying will apply
70 this case:
He that fights and runs away.
May live to fight another day"
And you whipped. routed, and scattered
he enemy. Your comrades of the year
before were avenged. You who at Vicks-
,urg battled almost daily for three long
months. And when Sheridan was twenty
niles away you were battling with Early |
md his army at Cedar Creek. When he
vas ten miles away you were bravely
loldine your own, and when he was only
I've miles away you were wavering,
and when he came dashing
lown the road on that famous black,
Gaming steed, your ranks were broken.
Ind with what waving in the air he
lsshes along your line, you hear the in
piring words, Turn the other way, boys,
ve are going the other way" Then with
fixed and cheer that made the