The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1919-06-27

IuI SplT1C, ana LnGn, now we WaLcneQ
our boys go forward, hearts burden
ed with sorrow, eyes wet with tears;
how we followed them to the camps,
and then across the sea; how we
watched the bulletins each hour, and
their return. He spoke of the thrills
that the exuberant days of peace
brought to those hearts, the hearts
back home. Then he spoke about the
change that was inevitable-to many
Of our boys-the taste of war would
bring about. Many would return with
changed views, vague ideas of what
next to do, and of the difficulties of
readjusting ourselves to pre-war con-
ditions, and said it was a duty the
boys would find at their very door to
assist in the settlement of affairs and
q few minutes he dwelt upon what we
had fought for. and what had been
accomplished. And he pictured the
end, when the great countries of the
world allied together and bound by
the greatest Of all human documents,
the league of nations, as embraced IN
the peace treaty, was executd, and
later adopted by the nations, what
security for the peoples and nations,
with the possibilities of such a war
being repeated gone forever, and the
knowledge of the nations that each of
the other nations stand ready to en-
force the terms of said league, that
row as the boys were coming home
some here and others on their way,
it was fit and proper for the various
communities to give some expression
of it's gratitude for all of this, and so
Ocala had made these preparations
for the boys of Marion county, and
had invited all to be here and to feel
that they were welcomed back with
open arms and with hearts of gratf-
tude and love; and on behalf of our
little city, we bid you welcome, thrice
welcome, and want you to know and
feel that we are for you now and for
ever; that the keys to our city have
been thrown away it is YOURS, and
we hope that soon the far away look
with the shadow of Flanders in your
eyes will pass away. that the thought
of the Hun will be forgotten and thas
your skies will be he brighter for
what has passed and your pathway
through life from now on will be up
ward and onward to all that is worth
while. Again. he said. we welcome
you.
Mr.. Frank Harris, a member of the
Marion County Confederate camp
was next introduced and extended a
welcome on behalf of the civil war
veterans.
AS his address was the only one
that was not extemporaneous it is
printed in full.
Brave Soldier Boys:
AS a veteran of the war between
the states, and take it from
me their deeds of fortitude
and valor have rarely been esualled
and never surpassed, speaking
for them / wish to say to
you on this occasion that there
are no words in our language strong
enough, nor beautiful enough for me
to express our gladness in having
you return in safety to your homes
as there were no words adequate
enough for the one hundred per cent
American to express his admiration
Of you when you donned uniform
and at the call Of your country proud
ly responded "Herei" and with
handkerchiefs waving and bands
playing patriotically and triumphant
ly marched away.
You have written the proudest and
most enduring chapter in the history
of the world and in the biggest and
brightest letters.
Like the restless tides of the ocean
years have come and gone and in
their ceaseless march have buried
cities of long ago beneath the dust
of ages. The ascent has been ever
upward. all struggling for higher
civilization.
Greece and Rome appeared upon
the map in the worlds resistless
sweep and both did their part in ef-
forts to make the world better and
in doing SO performed many brilliant
and cheering deeds. but brave and