JULY 4,
1891.
"Flag
of the heroes who left us their glory,
Borne
through our battlefield's thunder and flame,
Blazoned
in song and illumined in story,
Wave on
us all who inherit their fame!
Up with
our banner bright,
Sprinkled
with starry light,
Spread
its fair emblems from mountain to shore;
While
through the sounding sky,
Loud
rings the nation's cry,--
Union and
Liberty!--One evermore!"
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
The pleasant little city of Meadville, with a population of over
11,000, was in her best holiday attire, and her numerous guests well
provided for, many of whom had come from a far distance. The day was to
be celebrated, as I have already intimated, by the dedication of the
Soldiers' Monument in Diamond Park. I had the honor of being appointed
one of the vice-presidents, and was presented with a badge bearing the
words, Vice-President Dedication of Soldiers' Monument at Meadville,
July 4, 1891. This entitled me to a seat on the platform, from which an
excellent view of all the proceedings was had. The medal struck for the
occasion was very neat, and bore on one side a drawing of the Soldiers'
Monument (showing the inscription thereon, Crawford County's Tribube to
her loyal sons), and on the other side the words, In Memory of the men
of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, who served in the Union Army during
the Rebellion, 1861-1865. There were present to take part in the
ceremonies several Posts of the G. A. R. from various points, with their
several commanders, and they made quite a formidable and imposing
appearance in the procession which started from Park Avenue at 11:30 A.
M. for Diamond Park.
The details of the day's proceedings are too lengthy to give much of
here, but I can not omit referring to the excellent address of Judge
J. J. Henderson, of Crawford County, and the presentation speech
of Dr. T. L. Flood, both of which were
masterpieces of patriotic eloquence; and the accepting of the Monument
on behalf of the city, by Col. S. B. Dick.
The day could not be finer, and that part of the proceedings consisting
of games, concerts, illuminations, bicycle parade, etc., was carried out
in grand style; in addition to which there was on exhibition a marvel of
mechanical ingenuity, in the shape of an "Automatic City,"
which took the German inventor of the same seventeen long years of
patient labor in the constructing thereof. Every day in the year has its
end, its close, as did this memorable one, July 4, INDEPENDENCE DAY, the
most noted in the annals of the United States of America. And who is
there among us who would not sing with heart and voice--MY COUNTRY, 'TIS
OF THEE? Our free country and an open Bible, with the Gospel preached to
all! And so may it ever be, as long as the sun and moon endure!
"My
country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet
land of liberty,
Of thee I
sing;
Land
where my fathers died!
Land of
the Pilgrims' pride!
From
every mountain side
Let
freedom ring!
"My
native country, thee--
Land of
the noble, free--
Thy name
I love;
I love
thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods
and templed hills;
My heart
with rapture thrills
Like that
above.
Our
fathers' God! to Thee,
Author of
liberty,
To Thee
we sing:
Long may
our land be bright
With
freedora's holy light;
Protect
us by Thy might,
Great
God, our King!"
But as I looked on the many joy-inviting events of the day, as they
followed in quick succession, a cloud would from time to time intervene
to darken my thoughts. For this great National holiday, this anniversary
of the birth of our loved Republic, is also the anniversary of the death
of my well-beloved wife, Eliza, an event
never to be forgotten by me. I have written much on this subject,
because it stands out in such prominent relief on the pages of my life
history; and they who have been similarly bereaved know what it is, and
can appreciate the value of sympathy. The evening of life has come to
me, and the shadows are growing longer, while I am calmly waiting,
waiting.
ONLY
WAITING.
"Only
waiting till the shadows
Are a
little longer grown;
Only
waiting till the glimmer
Of the
day's last beam is flown.
"Then
from out the gathered darkness
Holy,
deathless stars shall rise,
By whose
light my soul shall gladly
Tread its
pathway to the skies."
In this faith I live on, and, best of all, God comforts me. My
pathway in life is ofttimes dreary and sad, but I trust in the Lord. His
right hand is ever near, though my sight may be dim, but I never doubt
His lovingness, and I leave my way with Him.
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