The oration by Rev.
Patterson was an able one, being one of the best that has been delivered here in many
years. In brief he said: There are days into which is crowded the memories of conquests
and the achievements of centuries, and we come today with expressions of gratitude to the
members of the G. A. R. for their deeds of bravery and valor.
One year ago the United States was in the midst of a heated war with a foreign country.
At that time many minds imagined that their (the G.A.R.) deeds of bravery would be
forgotten for new heroes. Their deeds were never so bright as now. Suppose the stars and
stripes had been trampled by secessionists, what could suppressed humanity now look for.
The United States said to Spain, take your heel from off that dusky child and give him the
freedom that belongs to humanity: do this or by the spirit of Appomattox you shall be
compelled to do so.
There comes to us new glories on this 30th day of May. It brings a closer reunion of
the sections of the country. Northern and Southern soldiers have been marching shoulder to
shoulder and fighting for the right. We present today a united country under one flag.
Freedom of mind and soul was gained before freedom was a universal fact. When the republic
was established our forefathers were guided by the experiences of the past. The revolution
gave to us a free land, the war of 1812 a free sea, and the war of 1861-1865 gave us free
men. For centuries the clouds had been gathering, which broke forth for humanity’s
sake at the firing of Steven’s guns. History fails to record any value or achievement
that characterized the bravery and valor of these men. Nothing but the shedding of blood
could wipe out this slavery. The price paid to keep this country under one flag can never
be estimated and never will be known.
When this war began the European nations said that the Americans can’t fight, and
when the war was over they said you can’t stop them, the country will be governed by
anarchy. But as the army left Appomattox it melted away as merits the mist before the
rising sun. The fires of patriotism in the hearts of those men was the cause of this.
Today we stand in almost universal peace with exception of a small revolution in the
Philippines. The last battle of any war leaves a nation as it stood before. We stand today
with new and great problems confronting us. No man can formulate any plan by which these
problems can be solved. When the American fleet, under the command of Admiral Dewey, went
into Manila bay it was to carry out the command of the United States and dissolve the
Spanish navy. This hero has stood the test and there is not a discord in an American
heart. By the directing hand of Dewey, McKinley and Almighty God, these new problems will
be solved. Our flag now floats over two hemispheres. There are some who may want to tear
it down. The star spangled banner is the flag of the free and long let it wave over the
lands of the free which were homes of the slaves. American patriotism cannot be melted.
England and America are to be in the future the heart and brains of the evangelized world.
Today we pledge to the grand army that this day shall be kept sacred. Their lines are
growing thinner and thinner as the years go by. The sectionalism of the blue and gray is
melting away. The grand army of the Republic and the Confederacy are united under one flag
and the leadership of the Young Man of Galilee. The oration was loudly applauded at
different points throughout. After a song by the choir the benediction was pronounced by
Rev. Patterson.