Ohio History Journal

248      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

such service varies but never ceases. And it must come from

its citizens themselves if our Republic is to live.

Sincerely yours,

JUDSON HARMON.

 

TRIBUTE OF EX-GOV. J. B. FORAKER.

 

APRIL II, 191₇,

DEAR MR. LIGGITT:

I have your letter of April ₉th, and sincerely thank you

for the privilege you give me of saying something about the

Battle Flags, to be incorporated in the Memorial Book you are

intending to publish.

If I were in better health I would no doubt take advantage

of the opportunity thus afforded me to say something at this

time; but under all the circumstances I think it would be better

to let the record stand just as it was made at the time.

I received an invitation to attend sent by Comrade W. S.

Matthews, to which I replied as follows:

 

"W. S. MATTHEWS, Esq.,                "APRIL 15, 1916.

Columbus, Ohio.

"DEAR SIR AND COMRADE:

"I have your letter of April 1₃th inviting me to attend and

participate in the ceremonial exercises to be held at Columbus,

April 27th, in connection with the removal of the Union Battle

flags from their wooden cases and their present location to the

steel cases in the rotunda of the Capitol, in accordance with the

provisions therefor heretofore made.

"It is with great regret I find myself unable to accept your

kind invitation. The occasion will be one I know that will im-

press sentiments of patriotism upon all who are present, and

because of its unique character one that will be long remembered

and celebrated in the history of our State.

"Sincerely wishing you a successful and enjoyable occasion,

I remain

"Very truly your, etc.

J. B. FORAKER."

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Battle Flags of Ohio.               249

If you will incorporate this letter I will be much obliged.

It will explain why I was not there, and will also show that I

appreciated the patriotic and significant character of the oc-

casion.

Trusting that this will meet with your approval, and again

thanking you for the kindness you have shown me in this matter,

which I assure you is highly appreciated, I remain

Very truly your, etc.

(Signed) J. B. FORAKER.

HON. D. A. LIGGITT,

Rushsylvania, Ohio.

 

 

TRIBUTE OF EX-GOV. MYRON T. HERRICK.

 

Grant, the two Shermans, Sheridan, Garfield, Thomas,

Hayes, Harrison, McKinley, Foraker, Edwin M. Stanton, Sal-

mon P. Chase-what a host of brilliant soldiers and statesmen

Ohio gave to the nation for the winning of the Civil War and

for the work of reconstruction and civil administration in the

years that followed. Men born in Ohio occupied the White

House for half of the last fifty years during which the United

States grew out of its provincial isolation into a world power.

Their policies set the standards to which nations conformed;

they determined the course of national and international history.

Officers are an index of the type of men that they command.

These courageous and skilful leaders of the armies were not

more devoted to the noble cause for which they fought or more

arduous to advance it than the legions of men from this state

who served in the ranks or in minor posts during the Civil War.

Almost 350,000 they were in number, and 25,000 of them gave

their lives while thousands more came back to bear through life

the scars of battle and the impairments of exposure and disease.

To the valiant officers of Ohio who filled high places to the

honor of their State and Nation; to those who went and did not

return but "gave the last full measure of devotion" that the

Union might live, and live free from the shame of slavery; to

those who served until peace was won and then came back to live

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