USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > History of Cuyahoga County soldiers' and sailors' monument. Scenes and incidents from its inception to its completion.--Description of the memorial structure, and roll of honor > Part 32
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But while individual names and deeds will be for- gotten, the results of their achievements will live. They are enduring as the Republic itself. Our heroes fought not for a day, but for all time ; not for transient ideas, but for everlasting principles ; not to subdue a few dissatisfied States, but for the integrity of our whole great empire ; not for themselves alone, but for their enemies as well, and the proudest and most gratifying thought any Union Soldier can have must be that
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already the time has come when those who mnet him on the field recognize that his victory was their victory as well, and to-day stand pledged to uphold and preserve the Government they then sought to destroy. Their triumph brought freedom, peace, prosperity, power and promise to all the people of every section of an undivided and indivisible country.
Cuyahoga County is justly proud of her part in the struggle. Her sons bore a conspicuous part on the water and participated among the foremost in every* great battle of the War.
Wherever men were called upon to die, on either land or sea, they were there to offer their lives. It is a fitting tribute to place here, on this favorite spot, in the heart of this great city, this beautiful Monument. It shows a just appreciation of sacrifice, heroism and fidelity to duty. Silently but eloquently it will teach lessons of patriotism to all who shall look upon its tow- ering shaft. No true citizen of the Republic can be- hold it without a higher and nobler sense of the duties and responsibilities of his citizenship. It will point every child and student to the most thrilling and inspir- ing chapter of our national history, and lift up all alike to the highest planes of patriotic purpose.
And now as we engage in its dedication, let us also dedicate ourselves anew to the interests of our country. Let no man think he lives under the institutions these men saved merely to enjoy them. There will be no more slavery to abolish ; no more heresies of secession to destroy ; no more such rebellions to suppress ; no more wars of any kind between the North and the South, but there is other work to do, less heroic, per- haps, but scarcely less important.
No government will execute itself, and no form of government will answer human requirements unless it be rightly administered. It is not the business of gov-
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ernment to furnish employment or bread; neither is it the right of government, by imbecility or the applica- tion of false theories, to paralyze business, destroy prosperity and enforce idleness, with its consequent misery and crime.
With industrial armies marching on Washington, and the military of both the States and the United States marching on organized labor ; with a coal miners' strike that cost the country millions of dollars just ended, and a railroad strike that will cost, no one yet knows how many millions more, now in progress ; with tens of thousands toiling for less than enough to secure the necessary comforts of life, and other tens of thou- sands in idleness, with unrest and sullen dissatisfaction almost universal, we have a condition, not a theory, confronting us, that invites and demands immediate and serious attention.
We must not have either hunger or bayonets, and we will not have either long. The mills and the factories must be started ; the mines imust be kept open : the railroads must operate, and all who are willing to work minst, shall and will have employment, and the whole country must and will again enjoy prosperity. But this change cannot be brought by violence. It must come about in due form and orderly manner, under and in accordance with the forms, provisions and require- ments of law.
Let no man take the law into his own hands. It is our sovereign rule, and whosoever strikes at it, strikes at the only king we have. Every such blow, no matter in whose name it is struck, or how it may be disguised, is moral, if not legal, treason as rank and foul as was the assassin thrust that struck down the President of the French Republic.
If we would perpetuate what our fathers achieved, and these Soldiers saved, we must suppress not only as-
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saults upon constituted authority, but also the men who make such assaults. We have no room, broad as our country is, for the anarchist, the communist, the social- ist, or the boycotter. They are all of the same ilk. They are all un-American. They are all the enemies of labor, as well as of capital. Their tyranny is greater than that which precipitated the revolution. Their success would mean the dissolution of society, and the overthrow of the Republic.
Looking beyond our borders, the time has come for the extension of our trade relations. We should not only do business with all the world, but our full share of it. This is particularly true as to the Western Hemisphere.
The commercial dependencies of England are her Greater Britain. They turn the wealth of the world to the island that rules them, and make it the creditor and financial dictator of all nations. Let us learn from ex- ample not to be unduly ambitious, but to be sufficiently so to subserve and protect our own best interests. Not by violence, but by the moral force of our position and relationships we should at least secure our own from those who are our natural friends.
Other great questions are pressing upon us. We can not escape them if we would, and we should not if we could. In the immediate future we must answer whether or not we intend to wait indefinitely upon the pleasure of European nations for remonetization of sil- ver. Some way must be found to secure their co-oper- ation, or some way for us to act in safety without it. Glittering generalities and plausible platitudes will no longer answer. And how long, think you, will the world continue to sail ships around the Horn? Not long. We must either build the Nicaragua Canal and control it, or let somebody else do it. Let us not be . afraid to do it ourselves. Let us claim what belongs to
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us. Let us not be afraid to own the Sandwich Islands, and every other island that may want to fly the Ameri- can flag. Let us not be afraid to be greater than we are. We have only to trust ourselves. Bloodless conquests with rich rewards are before us. The good of the world, as well as our own, commands us to go forward. Let us not hesitate, but with broad, patriotic, comprehensive statesmanship lay hold upon the peace, happiness, power and glory that are within our grasp. Whether we are Democrats or Republicans, let us be, first of all, Americans.
The gifted orator was frequently applauded, and, at the conclusion of his masterly effort, he was enthusi- astically cheered.
The children then sang "The Star Spangled Banner." Governor Mckinley suggested to the audience that they would be pleased to have presented to them two ladies who were all but one of the survivors of the women perpetuated in the bronze panel of the Monu- ment devoted to the work of the Sanitary Commission in this city during the War. Prompt and hearty ex- pressions of approval were heard from every side. Governor Mckinley responded by introducing Mrs. Sarah Adams Estabrook Thatcher and Mrs. Esther M. Harris, widow of the late J. A. Harris, in the following appropriate manner:
"My Fellow-Citizens :-
"I take the liberty of interrupting the ordered pro- gram of the day long enough to give this great audi- ence a surprise and a pleasure which I am sure they will appreciate.
"I have been glad to observe that the projectors of this Monument have given proper and conspicuous recognition to the work of the women in the War. They are too often forgotten in our memorials. No memorial to perpetuate the lessons and sacrifices of the
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War is just or complete without them. There is nothing more deserved-there is nothing more inspiring -than the panel in yonder Monument which records the work of the women at home and on the field, for the country and for the Soldiers who carried its standard and fought its battles. There could have been no more appropriate-no happier selection than the group of figures presented in bronze to typify the services of woman in the great struggle for the Union. Side by side are those who toiled at home and those who served in the hospital; standing together for the same noble cause are those who made the bandages and those who applied them to the shattered limb. The Catholic sister and the Protestant inother unite in loving ministrations. What more beautiful sight to witness than the figure of that magnificent American woman, Lucy Webb Hayes, whose simple virtues have filled the whole country with glowing pride and whose womanly example and lofty character have blessed so many lives and homes! And that other sweet figure-the Sister of Charity, pursuing with unselfish love her noble calling, together tenderly ministering to the wounded and dying Soldier. These and the other figures familiar to most of you awaken the tenderest memories and rekindle our admiration for the noble women of the land. Many of the old Soldiers here will recall them-their
' Kind words and gentle, when a gentle word
Was worth the surgery of an hundred schools,
To heal sick thought and make our bruises whole.' "On this platforin are seated two of these noble women, whose figures, though in bronze, are yet here to speak, whose lives have been spared not only to see their country saved, but to witness the dedication of this splendid structure to immortalize the men and women who helped save it.
"I have the very great honor to present to you (and
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it is a pleasure I would not conceal) these patriotic mothers,-Mrs. Peter Thatcher, whose work was in the hospital, and Mrs. J. A. Harris, who was the Vice-Presi- dent of the Soldiers' Aid Society of Northern Ohio. God bless them !"
The appearance of these honored and venerable ladies was greeted with much applause. They rose and went forward for a few moments, gracefully bowing their thanks. While standing, the assemblage gave three rousing cheers in their honor.
DR. GILBERT'S POEM.
Rev. Dr. Levi Gilbert read a poem composed by him for the occasion. He was given the high compliment of close attention by the audience, even though they had stood for two hours in the broiling sun, and was frequently greeted with a hearty round of applause. Dr. Gilbert's patriotic, spirited and soul-stirring poem was as follows:
Shake out "Old Glory's" folds, each star display, And hail it once again-our natal day!
We gather glad and, on this fitting date, Memorial shrine and pillar dedicate; Superb and stately, see it rising here, Unique, magnificent, without a peer! Revered Commissioners, your care here ends, This glorious moment more than makes amends! O, Soldier-Artist, toiling undismayed,
Thy inspiration's proof is here arrayed ;
Thy broad design-thy splendid, daring dream -- Evoke applause and merit all esteem!
Tell it again how swift the people rose, Indignant, flaming, vengeful, t' oppose The blow of traitors; middle-aged and young, In office, shop, and field aside they flung Their work in haste-enlisted-marched away- Enrolling mighty armies in a day !
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It all comes back-the mother's kiss and sigh, The swearing in, the drill, the last good-bye, The uniform, the arms, acconterments, The sentry's challenge, bugler's call, the tents, The long, hard tramp, the skirmish, opening round, The hurrying troops, the field guns, quaking ground, The bayonets' gleam, the polished muskets' flash, The sweating horse, the thundering wheels, the crash Of cannon, shrieking grape, the grime, the heat, The brandished swords, the shouts, th' attack, retreat, The whizzing bullets, bursting bombs, the sinoke, The dense brigades, the orders, furious stroke, The flapping flag, the wounded dripping red, The falling, mangled, dying, and the dead, The faces ghastly, arms tossed wide, the sob Of dirge, the wail of fife, the drum's deep throb!
O, friends, 'twas this they suffered and endured That our sweet liberties might be secured! Eternal honor, honor-yet again Immortal honor to these matchless men ! And these we trust, with never a fear or doubt, To put all fawning demagogues to rout- To ward corruption off and every wrong, To keep our civic life ideal and strong!
O youth, from country lanes and city streets, Be still and hear what speech this shaft repeats ! It bids each man be vigilant, be pure ; It calls to all in times of fear, "Endure !", Exhorting each to patriotic mind, To leave all thoughts of self and ease behind.
O column, rising here amidst our streets, Where, hot and fierce, the pulse of business beats, With tramp of men and horses, rattling tires, And rumbling car-wheels driv'n by lightning fires-
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Speak out, O pillared bronze, lest we forget With all our toil-the daily fine and fret- That life is more than meat ; that earth affords Some things above our paltry gains and hoards, Our worldly hopes and lusts, ignoble strife, Our rivalries intense, with rancor rife ! Teach us to heed our duty's solemn call, To give up home and dear ones-profits-all, Meet deatlı itself for high conviction's sake, Serene as martyrs at the glowing stake !
I stand upon this old historic Square, And seem to breathe some bright, diviner air ; O Figure, with the shield and unsheathed sword, Like thee, in wrath, at one commanding word, An outraged North, ferocious, sprang to arms And beat the drums and sounded war's alarms !
I see yon Cavalry-the blue, the gray- With men and horses mixed in deadly fray ; And there the gunners, on the battle-ship, Are lifting bomb-shells to the mortar's lip ; And there artillerymen upon the field- Some serve, some fall-they die but never yield ; And there a heap of color-bearers slain, While others snatch the standard quick again ! How life-like war, in all its horrid guise, Is pictured here before our awe-struck eyes ! But these are bronze, and you were flesh and blood As in the carnage, soldiers, stern you stood !
Enter these portals, see these bas-reliefs- These women brave and tender, pressed with griefs ; What ministries in hospital, blockade, In camp and field-what gracious care and aid !
O rare Relief Corps women, yours to try To follow those who set a standard high
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To urge you on to play a noble part, And take the heaviest burdens on your heart !
The closing scene was this in that dread war- This panel that I stand in thought before : The President, the generals, appear In sober mood, but glad that peace is near ; And when shall Peace her world-wide sway extend, And nation be to nation brother, friend ? O God, that wars may cease, that soon the day Of love may dawn and concord reign, we pray !
Ohio, nurse of heroes, I sahite, The first in statesmen, soldiers, and repute ! Victorious mother-Grant and Sherman, Chase, Stanton and Garfield, Sheridan and Hayes- Thy jewels these thou mayest proudly wear,- But not alone-thy country claims a share- And all the nations of thy sons have heard, And hearts of freemen everywhere been stirred !
Thy grand war governors within stand forth, Whose words heroic fired the loyal North ; Inflexible each set his stubborn face, Each heart as steadfast as this granite base ! What land and laurel shall their men'ries crown Who led the Buckeye State to such renown ?
O, Black Man-slave no longer-bowing there Unshackeled, jubilant, witlı eyes of prayer In rapturous thanks upturned upon his face- Th' Emancipator of thy suff'ring race- Spring up and take those arms and nobly fight For freedom, manhood, justice, truth and right ! Your Father Abraham, on bended knee, To God and man proclaims your liberty ; The curse is dead-the crime is blotted out- The thrall's unbound forever-sing and shout !
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Our God had loftier purposes than we In our shortsightedness could ever see; We aimed at union, he at union too, But union purged from slav'ry through and through ; No victories decisive could we gain Till, led by Him, we washed away the stain !
For all the ships, O Goddess, lift thy flame And welcome every land in freedom's name ; No more a semblance-a fictitious creed- No more a lie-thank God, we're free indeed ! To all a welcome, but lift up thy voice, Instructing all who make this land their choice That liberty's not license-laws must stand- Must be obeyed or ruin wrecks the land ; And, most of all, adjure the public school To teach the virtues needful to self-rule !
Our tears for France who mourns her Carnot slain, Remind us sadly of our loss again ; A hundred years from now what thoughts shall rise Within their hearts who gaze in Lincoln's eyes- Those eyes so sunken, sad ; O care-lined face, O form ungainly ! yet what sweetness, grace ! What length of limb and body, and the whole Transfigured by a towering, godlike soul ! O fallen form, o'erwhelmed in treason's flood, Thy mission signed and sealed with martyr blood, What strength and patience thine, what faith and hope- What loyalty and courage that could cope With dire disasters, unforeseen and new, In every task, in every peril true ! O break thy silence, lips of bronze, and call To patriot-service tho' like thee we fall !
Within that sacred tablet room I stood Before the Soldiers' names-a multitude In marble etched, Cuyahoga's valiant band
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That rose in regiments to save the land ; Who would not covet for himself a place In such a roster ?- who beholds each space But envies every man his line and longs To win some homage that to fame belongs ? While swings the earth let generations spell These names to emulate and love them well ! What praise, O Vet'rans, for your deed is fit, What eulogy or epic, spoke or writ ? To sing aright your prowess tasks our powers But take, once more, this day, these hearts of ours ! We own our debt of gratitude immense, We bid our children rise in reverence !
O, sons of Vet'rans-what a privilege Is yours, what joy, what pride, what heritage- What stimulus to deeds of fine acclaim Is in a father's never-dying name !
Upon this list of battles rest your eye ! How wide they fought, how wide their bodies lie ! In swamp and mountain, forest, field and brake, By creek and river, bayon, gulf and lake ; Antietam, Vicksburg-how their names appeal !- Atlanta, Richmond, Gettysburg, Mobile, Fort Wagner, Shiloh, Corinth, Cedar Mount- O, visions grim with slaughter-read and count !
Your Army, Comrades, thin and thinner grows, Too soon the last survivor deathward goes ; Close up the ranks, give loyal love and large, O Brothers true in camp and march and charge !
Dear land, one land, one people great and free, Illustrious now, but greater still to be ; I see thy sixty millions multiplied, I see thy sister States, in bonds allied, With pride of power and growth, of sons and fame,
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But prouder still of their great Nation's name ! I see the South come forth and celebrate A Union, bound for aye, inviolate ; She bows in thanks to Him whose plans withstood Her hate and passion to her untold good ; I see a land of bounteousness and peace Where feuds and factions evermore shall cease, Where law shall hold all anarchy in foil, Where ample wages shall compensate toil, Where capital and labor clash 110 more, Where justice comes to all and plenty's store, Where education and religion bless A crowning race with truth and righteousness ! I see mankind, inspired, in every clime, By sight of our democracy sublime, Resistless rise to curb the tyrant's power, Proclaiming this the people's day and hour ! Enfranchised masses break their bars of fate, Republics spread and kings on subjects wait !
Then I reflect that wide humanity Owes all of this to those who kept us free- To those who fought to save our flag or died For us, our sons, and all the world beside!
Fair city by the lake enthroned a queen, Bedecked with all the forest's living green, Accept in trust and guard this treasure here, Thy county's off'ring to her victors dear ; O hold it ever thy most precious prize, More than all riches valued in thine eyes ! I hear the panting engine's shriek and roar, I see the vessels, laden deep with ore, I see the chimneys' smoke-the foundries' glare- I see the steam expand and fill the air ; Thy wealth is great and great thy trade and art, Thy homes and streets, thy factories, thy mart-
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But, grander than all other song or boast, This proud memorial exalts you most- Yea this and Garfield's silent resting place Shall be your glory's loftiest crown and grace !
Loom on, O Column, while the stars shall shine !
Wave on, O Banner, centuries are thine !
Move on, O City, to thy future vast !
Live on, O Country, while the world shall last !
Cheer upon cheer greeted the gifted poet, and, at the conclusion of his brilliant effort, he was enthusiastically applauded.
The exercises were now drawing to a close, and it was already past the noon hour when the children rose again to sing. This time it was "America," the words of which cheer the American, and the music of which causes our cousins across the border and on the other side of the ocean to jump up and crack their heels to- gether. The people heartily joined in this, and at the conclusion, Monsignor Thorpe pronounced the benedic- tion, in the following beautiful and appropriate prayer :
"Oh, almighty, eternal, all wise and merciful God, look down propitiously on Thy children here assembled, and bless the purpose and the object of our assembling. Bless and consecrate forever to liberty and justice this glorious emblem of emancipated humanity, under whose starry folds we are come together. Bless this favored Nation and perpetuate its freedom and preserve its in- comparable Constitution against the machinations of the unwise and the illiberal. Bless the memory of those immortal heroes whose honored names yonder work of human genius and generosity would carry down to in- spire the patriotism of future generations. Bless our rulers, both state and national, with wisdom and pri- dence in the exercise of the powers Thou hast given them. Bless this city of our love and this great com-
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monwealth of which we are a part, with a strict adher- ence to law in adjusting the difficulties between man and man and with peace and plenty for the increase of human happiness. Bless those children-the men and women of the future-whose young and joyous voices have gladdened this historic day, and also the well nigh forty thousand to whose ranks they belong. Bless in like manner the fifteen thousand other children of this municipality, who are not represented, but whose love of country is not less pure, intense and fervent than that which found expression in those grand old songs so dear to every American heart ; that all mnay dwell to- gether in love and harmony. Bless our whole country with a devout remembrance of Thy providence and a sense of profound reverence for Thy ever abiding pres- ence. And may Thy choicest blessing, O, triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, descend upon us all and dwell in our hearts now and forevermore. Amen."
This concluded the ever-memorable dedicatory ex- ercises.
The gorgeous procession and its main features were written up by the observing young men of the Leader in manner following :
" What is declared by many to be the greatest pag- eant ever seen in Cleveland occurred after the dedica- tion of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. In it were 6,000 111e11 on foot and 400 emblematical floats and dec- orated wagons. It was six miles long. The procession moved over a line of march more than five miles long, and when the platoon of mounted police in the van had passed the reviewing stand many of the wagons had not yet reached the advertised starting point from their places of formation. At 2 o'clock the procession moved from the corner of Superior and Water Streets, and it was 6:10 o'clock when the last wagon passed the review- ing stand at the City Hall. Two hours were required
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in passing that point, despite the fact that, owing to the late hour, the latter end of the procession was moved at almost a double-quick.
"Veterans of the War marched under their old battle- flags, but in ranks sadly depleted by the casualties of war and the ravages of time. They were received with honors due men who had offered their lives on the altar of patriotism and endured privation and suffering that the Union might be preserved. Then there was the military with steady tread and martial bearing, and a great display on the part of the vast industrial resources of Cleveland. The streets on the line of march were handsomely decorated and thronged by one of the larg- est crowds that has ever assembled in the city.
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