Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-08-31

is matter for their celebration as
well as for our own.
On such an occasion as this it is but
natural to mingle our rejoicing over
local conditions with feeling of sat
isfaction over the condition of the ma
tion at large. All the other powerful
nations are engaged in the greatest
conflict of all times. The whole world
has been set ablaze and the wars which
in history have been described as
mighty conflicts are but puny by COM
parison. In all the world, ours is the
only great nation which is enjoying
substantial peace.
The spirit of preparedness has seized
the nation. In the appropriation of
more than three hundred millions for
national defense, party lines seem for
the most part to be forgotten. The
doctrine that the best way to maintain
peace is to prepare for war is para
mount. The instruments of battle are
to be made ready against the day of
need. Although secure in her con-
viction that she would in struggle
ultimately maintain her supremacy
and integrity, America nevertheless
that is impregnable. With such a de-
pendous resources that any nation has
ever accumulated, America will enjoy
the security of lasting peace without
the loss of single drop of American
blood.
Before closing l want to say some1
thing about Perrysburg as she is today
and of her future Her location in the
midst of one of the richest agricultural
sections of this country might be suf-
ficient in itself to attract any new set
tier. If man is interested in farm
ing, you will find here nature has been
most bountiful. Go where you will in
search of the best tillable soil and YOU
will return to the broad, level, rich and
highly productive lands of Wood coun-
ty. Here, indeed, you must locate, if
you would be one of the real kings of
agriculture.
What then are our duties and re-
possibilities at the beginning of Per-
rysburg's new century? Shall we
'oster an interest in the work of the
Perrysburg Civic Association or shall
we let that splendid body crumble and
iecay for want of public cooperation? I?
Shall we take a strong part in the up
building and beautifying of our vii
age, in the securing of needed public
Improvements and in the doing of all
other things that will make it attract
i've, or shall we admit that our citizen
ship is hollow and sham, and our
republic a rank failure? Shall we con-
'ribute our forces and lend our in
iiuence to the Maumee Valley Pioneer
and Historical Association, or shall we
Ignore the lofty aims and noble accom-
plishments of that organization =?
5hall we be inspired by our two mag
nificent monuments, and by the thrill
ng history of the deeds that took place
all about US; or shall it be written
hereafter that the citizens of 1916
were shallow, weak and unpatriotic
and did not appreciate or deserve their
sacred heritage?
You have already made reply. The
spirit which stirred the early pioneers
of the Maumee Valley is the spirit
which dominates the men of today
The responsibilities of our noble fore
fathers are our responsibilities; the
| country which they conquered is our
country; the institutions which they
have builded are now our institutions
Ours is the solemn duty to protect, to
preserve and to defend them. Let us
not betray this sacred trust. And
| finally we will hand down to the next
| succeeding generation a city most
wonderfully and most beautifully
made, and a republic the liberty and
glory of which will shine with radiant
splendor throughout the ages.
The Grafton was a mastery eff
fort and proved the committee S
selection of the speaker to have
been well placed.
Following the Grafton, Mr.. Geo.
Mills, 81 years of age, was intro
duced as the oldest resident of the
village, and the youngest man OF
his age in the valley. He grace
fully bowed to the people and re,
ceived hearty applause from the
immense audience.
The following telegram was
read
Montreal, Que, Aug. "a, 1916.
E. l.. Blue, Journal:
Sorry can't be with you today.
Best regards to all the people of dear
oiu GIL yspui S' w. h. WlhhlNoON.
The chairman then explained
that Mr.. Wilkinson is a grandson
of Capt. David Wilkinson, who
sailed the Commodore Perry on
the route between Perrysburg and
Buffalo.
The closing vocal number was
the Perrysburg song entitled
"Perrysburg! My Perrysburg.'
The words were written by Mr..
Clarence Eberly and were sung to
the air Maryland, My Mary
land.
A selection by the band and
Perrysburg's Centennial celebra-
tion closed for the day.