Ohio History Journal

Dedication of the Hayes Memorial.       425

 

instructed in the orderly management of public business. All

are on their best behavior, a fraternal friendship is cultivated,

virtuous and temperate habits are encouraged, and the best of

our social instincts are called into play. The festive organiza-

tions, convivial clubs, and the like are not safe places of resort

for all natures. No man can be worse for the associations of Odd

Fellowship and their kindred organizations. Most men will be

made better. With this perhaps too moderate estimate of the

society, I am glad to unite with it again."--(Diary January 1,

1882).

At the conclusion of Mr. Thraves' historical address the

chairman introduced Hon. Ivor Hughes, Past Grand Master of

the Grand Lodge of Ohio, of Columbus, who was a lifelong

warm personal friend of Rutherford B. Hayes.

 

 

ADDRESS OF IVOR HUGHES.

Members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Friends:

I come to your beautiful little city of Fremont from my home

in the capital of our state to join with you in the dedication of

this beautiful edifice erected to the memory of him who was great

in everything that constitutes true greatness, true manhood.

On the 30th day of May in the year 1878, there gathered in

the city of Paris, France, one of the largest assemblages of men

and women that had ever before that time convened for a like

purpose in that or any other city of the civilized world. In that

vast audience were to be found many of the great men and

women not only of France but of many other of the civilized

countries of the globe. They had assembled to pay tribute to the

memory of a distinguished Frenchman of whose death the oc-

casion was the one hundredth anniversary.

The speaker was Victor Hugo, another great man. The

opening words of his address were: "Men and women of

France, one hundred years ago today a man died." Had the

speaker uttered not another word he would in that concise sen-

tence have paid to the memory of the dead the highest compli-

ment that it is possible to express or pay to the living or the

dead. Just pause a moment for thought as to how comprehensive

that expression is, "A man died." Think for a moment how

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426       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

much those words involve-"A man." Today, my friends, as

I look back over a period of almost a quarter of a century to the

17th day of January, 1893, from what I personally knew of

Rutherford Birchard Hayes, I feel fully and safely warranted

in adopting the words of Victor Hugo on the occasion to which

I have referred, and in saying to you that when our friend and

brother in whose memory we assemble here today, departed this

life "A man died."

He possessed all of the qualities, the characteristics of true

manhood. He was an honest man, honest with himself, honest

with his fellow men. He was patriotic, brave and fearless in

defense of what he believed to be right. When from the cannon's

mouth there came the sudden fearful sound of fratricidal war,

he hesitated not, at the call of his country, he buckled on his

sword, shouldered his musket, and with brave heart, true

patriotism  and unflinching loyalty entered the service of his

country, not for three months or a year, but for the whole war,

not for glory, not for any temporal honor that might come to

him, no such motives found lodgment in his true American heart;

no, no, he went to the front, entered the thickest of the fight

with the loyal intent and purpose of helping hand down to pos-

terity an undivided country, and an unblemished flag.

Were he here today to talk to you he would admonish you

that he only is a true American, who is ever willing and ready

to defend our flag, no matter from  whence comes the hand

uplifted against it. Methinks that in the stillness of this sacred

hour, I hear his spirit-voice saying to you and to me, "Stand by

the flag." Watch over it with jealous care; frown down any and

all suggestions that would take from its glory, ever stand ready

to maintain its dignity with your life's blood if necessary. From

this man's example let us take lessons for our guidance in life.

He was true to every trust. He was elevated by his fellow-

countrymen to many positions of honor and trust both in private

and public life, but after all we honored ourselves most in honor-

ing him.

On the tented field, in the halls of legislation, as chief execu-

tive of our state, as president of our nation, in every position

of trust and responsibility to which he was called, he discharged

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Dedication of the Hayes Memorial.          427

the duties thereof honorably, and with the highest degree of

fidelity.

To his friends and neighbors, to all who knew him best, his

life is a happy, pleasant, instructive volume. It is a book on every

page of which appears the impression of a well spent, a noble

life, from and by which we are reminded that-

 

"His memory is the shrine

Of pleasant thoughts soft as the scent of flowers;

Calm as on windless eve the sun's decline;

Sweet as the song of birds among the flowers;

Rich as a rainbow with its hues of light;

Pure as the moonbeams on an autumn night."

 

After he had served his country in public life, with that true

modesty characteristic of great men, he returned here to devote

the remaining years of his life to the work of philanthropy and

education. To you my brother Odd Fellows he gave much of his

time and labor. He was an Odd Fellow in spirit and in truth.

Brother Hayes' influence as an Odd Fellow has gone forth, and

that influence will continue to live, doing honor to the noble man-

hood that exerted it, during an active and useful life. Though

we are deprived of his kind, genial companionship, though bereft

of the benefit of his wise counsel, though there is lost to us the

advantage of his aid and kind sympathy, and the inspiration of his

presence, notwithstanding all these great and significant losses,

there is left to us the rich and lasting legacy of his noble example;

and, therefore, as we sit here with bowed heads, sorrowful hearts

and tearful eyes asking the question-

"And is he dead, whose glorious mind,

Lifts thine on high?"

 

There is suggested to us the happy, peaceful answer that-

"To live in hearts we leave behind,

Is not to die."

 

No, my brothers, our brother Hayes is not dead, neither will

he be so long as you and I, or any of those who knew him, live.

His name and his life will continue to exist as long as we live;

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428       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

yes, even until the last of those who knew him on earth shall be

called to "The silent halls of death." He will need no monument

of bronze or polished marble shaft to keep alive the recollection

of his busy life. The Odd Fellows who knew him will continue

to remember him as long as an unimpaired mentality is left to

them.

Brother Hayes was one of the members of our great Order,

of whom it can truthfully be said:

 

"Such men die not, but on the arms of love,

We who have felt their power and knew their care,

Lift them to brighter skies, and fairer scenes,

Beyond the reach of earthly toil and fear."

 

Did time permit, I might point out the noble, worthy foot-

prints which he has left "on the sands of time," footprints in

which we may tread with honor to ourselves and benefit to the

Order. It will well repay us to carefully study his life and make

an honest effort to emulate his worthy, rich example. As a hus-

band and father he was kind, affectionate, and indulgent; as a

friend he was both loyal and true; as a citizen he was patriotic;

as an Odd Fellow he practiced the principles of Friendship, Love

and Truth, exemplifying in his daily life a full realization and

perfect understanding of the true, fraternal relationship which

the Creator intended should exist between the members of the

human family.

True, his earthly life and presence are no more, but in the

sacred, silent chambers of our memories, the example of his life

will ever remain as a legacy of priceless worth.

Interested though he was in many walks of life, he more than

all others loved the Order which we here represent. His genial

and kind nature seemed in perfect harmony with the grand and

great lessons of our beloved Order. His name will be revered

and many a kindly act of his, many a cheerful word will be the

subject of grateful remembrance.

His fidelity and devotion to our Fraternity was no heartless

and halfway service. It was the full, free unstinted love of a

heart warm with affection baptized with the spirit of a noble

humanity.

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Dedication of the Hayes Memorial.             429

 

"We'll not forget thee, we who stay,

To work a little longer here;

Thy name, thy faith, thy love shall lie

On memory's page all bright and clear.

And when o'er wearied with the toil

Of life, our heavy limbs shall be,

We'll come and one by one lie down

Upon dear mother earth with thee."

 

My brothers, surrounded though we are on this occasion

with sad memories, there is in the thoughts that present them-

selves rich food for reflection, as we recall the lives of those who

have "gone before." In thinking over their lives let us draw from

them lessons that will be beneficial to us in our every day life.

Let us make an honest, earnest effort to live so that our pathways

shall be strewn with happy recollections and pleasant memories.

 

"So live that when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan that moves

To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take

His chamber in the silent halls of death,

Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,

Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."

 

Thus did our departed brother live, and though his frail

tabernacle of clay has been gathered to its kindred dust, the bril-

liant legacy of noble deeds, of faithful labors, of domestic affec-

tion, of official integrity, will survive the grave, and transmit

immortal blessings through the cycles of infinite change.

Survived by living and loving witnesses of his virtue and his

worth, we as friends and brothers pause for a brief moment to

add this tribute to his memory.

 

"The night dew that falls, though in silence it weeps,

Shall brighten with verdure, the grave where he sleeps,

And the tear that we shed, though in silence it rolls,

Shall long keep his memory green in our souls."

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430      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

 

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.

Governor Frank B. Willis was the first of Tuesday's dis-

tinguished guests to arrive. Thomas J. Maxwell joined him at

Fostoria, and at Bradner they were met by John M. Sherman in

his closed car and hurried to Spiegel Grove.

U. S. Senator Atlee Pomerene and Congressman A. W.

Overmyer were met at Fostoria at 9:23 a. m. by R. J. Christy,

Emery Lattanner, W. E. Lang and Dell Cushman, in the latter's

new National car.

Ex-Governor James E. Campbell and a number of the officers

and trustees of the Archaeological and Historical Society were

met at the F. & F. station at 12:30 by Judge W. B. McConnell,

Hon. James G. Hunt and Homer Sherman and taken immediately

to the Grove.

Capt. A. O. Baumann, commanding Co. K, 6th Inf. Ohio

National Guard, sent firing squads to the cemeteries and, with

the remainder of his company, pitched his shelter tents and com-

pany mess-tent in Spiegel Grove and remained on duty till the

close of the afternoon exercises. They were especially efficient

in passing the crowd of school children through the Memorial

Building, and received with proper military courtesies the Gov-

ernor of Ohio, Hon. F. B. Willis, and later in the day the Hon.

Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War, whom they escorted from

the Buckland gateway to the residence in Spiegel Grove.

Secretary of War Newton D. Baker and Mrs. Baker were

met at the 1:20 N. Y. C., by Col. Webb C. Haves, Thomas A.

Dean, H. C. DeRan, James G. Hunt, Judge W. B. McConnell,

R. J. Christy, Hon. A. W. Overmyer and others, and escorted to

the Grove in Judge McConnell's car.

Mrs. Baker was taken in charge by Mrs. Webb C. Hayes,

Mrs. C. R. Truesdall, Mrs. M. Holderman, and Mrs. Louis A.

Dickinson, following in the Hayes car to the Grove.

Along the line of march through the Grove the secretary was

saluted by Captain Sayles' Maccabee rifle company drawn up,

along the driveway.

Both of these incidents very much impressed the Secretary

of War and were greatly appreciated by him. In each instance he

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Dedication of the Hayes Memorial.       431   very graciously doffed his hat in recognition of the honor thus paid him. When it was suggested to him that these were the boys who would help him in Mexico in case the situation came to that, he very earnestly and seemingly sadly remarked, "Yes, yes, I know, but we hope and pray they will not be needed." Immediately upon the arrival of Secretary Baker the real dedication of the Memorial, the Grove and the Mansion was begun.   PROCEEDINGS OF THE OHIO STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Gathered about the speakers' stand Tuesday afternoon on the spacious lawn fronting the noble Hayes mansion in far-famed Spiegel Grove, a vast multitude listened with rapt attention to the eloquent program of prayer and speech, song and music, which dedicated the magnificent memorial erected by the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society to perpetuate the memory of Ohio's most illustrious son, Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th president of the United States, 1877-1881. The meeting was called to order by Pres. G. F. Wright, who spoke as follows:   ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT WRIGHT. My Fellow Citizens:

The dedication here today of the Hayes Memorial Library and Museum, erected in the Spiegel Grove State Park, will serve to perpetuate the memory of Ruth- erford Birchard Hayes, whose services were preeminently valua- ble in the Union Army during the War for the Union; in Congress, as a representative from his State; in the office of Governor of Ohio (to which he was elected three times); and as the nine- teenth President of the United

States.  An additional interest in this occasion is given by

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