Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1900-09-20
DASE
OAL

would give in any community, that
believed in the cause for which they
braved everything. a cordial wei
come. When these gallant men sur
rendered to the government made
strong in part by their efforts, the
arms they had SO brayely worn, they
became and have remained good citl-
zens bearing their share of the pub
lie burdens and yielding ready ooedi-
ence TO law. Desiring to cherish the
associations formed IN the face OF
mutual toll and danger. the survl-
vors % years ago organized them
selVes into an association which has
annually convened since that time.
They are not met for the purpose of
reviving enmities or fostering sec
tioaal hate. They are met rather to
strengthen the ties of old friendships,
to quicken the sentiments OF COM
radeship, to keep alive the fires of
patriotism, In their number are
those who have not only suffered
from disease and wounds, but in
prison have felt the grip of famine
and known such horrors of captivity
as 40 words can tell. Andersonville
names of sad signiti-
calce to you. What greeting can be
toe warm for such men, who have
suffered in such causeE What place
for their reunion more fitting than
the county which was the home OF
that vigorous minded man who com
pretended SO clearly the magnitude
of the war, and as governor OF the
state so ably sustained the arms OF
the general government. Or what
city than that from which as mere
BOYS they sailed forth, not to de
spoiI the enemy, but in defense oil
the republic. There are in some com
munities good citizens who question
the wisdom Of keeping alive associa-
tions calculated to foster a military
spirit. Still, if it be conceded a.
some one has said, that there never
was a good war or bad peace, a
preposition to which all of US can not
subscribe, still it must be truthfully
said that YOU bore an honorable part
in war which was inevitable and
not of your making, and that your
reunions awaken only the most en-
nobling sentiments. You have re-
turned to Richmond to find her still
true to her old love for the defenders
of the flag. with a welcome out-run-
ming all formal speech. In the eyes
of her citizens, though time may
have#bent your forms, whitened your
hair and dimmned your eyes, it has
not lessened the greatness of your
sacrifices nor dimmned the lustre of
your glorious deeds. In living over
again the best epoch of your lives
for to have been volunteer soldiers in
defense of free government is your
greatest glory-you will remember
your comrades who with YOU sought
the laurel but won the cypress, and
who were not spared to see the glory
their valor helped to win. You will
recall their memories in sorrowful
reflection but with the conscioasness
that they did It die in vain, nor orc
you suffer in vain. The governmen,
you have bequeathed to posterity will
remain for all time as trust, al
objec ct lesson, hope and inspiration
to peoples aspiring to greater free
dom. 1t is a government-of its ma
terial greatness | do not speak
great in the freedom of the citizen, in
the unequalled opportunity of the in
dividual, government actually bet
ter and greater than its fame. That
in the enactment and administration
of its laws, in the policies of political
parties, there may be much that all
OF Us can not approve, yet it is our
country. 1t is the only republic. 1t
is the very home and abiding place oil
liberty and is worthy of every sac
rifice. Among your friends who
know and love you well on the
old camping ground. where in the
morning of life as the young warriors
of freedom you consecrated your
selves to the cause of the union,
looking into the eyes of long absent
friends, elasping the hands of com
rades and feeling their honest
warmth, together you will re-
call the incidents of soldier
life most full of daring, of de
votion, of mirth, of martial cour-
tesy, of pathos. Again in fancy
you will be the watchful picket
Again take your place on the deadly
skirmish line: again nervously await
the assault; once more lead the
charge; once more join in the shouts
of victory; again mourn the death of
kindred or friend. The war, thank
God, in which you bore so honorable
a part, is over, never, forCthe same
cause, to come again. Its bruised
arms, its banners, flags and guidons,
torn and rent, hallowed by the
memory of brave deeds are laid
aside. testimonial of untold valor to
be cherished long after the humble
instruments that carried them
through the smoke of battle have
passed away. While the graves of
your comrades have subsidized like
weary waves, the fair fruits of your
devotion remain. it is yours to
share the gratitude of a great peo-
pie. You need not note the unre-
garded expressions here and there
Of few who are unmindful of the
sacrifices you made and brutal
enough to sheer at your infirmities;
the nation is not only Just but !
generous. No government has so
literally provided for its MANNED de-
lenders, nor given such ample shell |
Ter from the storms of life to those |
broken in her service. In the hearts |
Of intelligent patriots you are en-
shrined as public benefactors. You |
an nowhere be honored more than |
n intelligent and patriotic Rich |
nond. Other communities may be |
ouder in their greetings, but they i
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