Ohio History Journal




Dedication of the Haycs Memorial

Dedication of the Haycs Memorial.        469

 

on his generous endowment, which assures that the whole shall

be properly cared for forever.

It needs no prophetic vision to foresee that year after year

the people of Ohio and of the Nation will come in increasing

numbers, as to a shrine, to pay their tribute of reverence and

affection for "the simple great one gone" and his beloved wife,

who sleep side by side under yonder monument. From this shrine

will constantly go forth an inspiring influence which will help

towards preserving our faith in our free institutions and our love

for our dear country, which makes such a career as that of Presi-

dent Hayes possible.

Former Governor James E. Campbell spoke as follows:

 

 

ADDRESS OF FORMER GOVERNOR CAMPBELL.

My Fellow Citizens: It is with great pleasure that I render

my tribute to this beautiful Memorial and to the great character

whose memory it so fittingly pre-

serves.  I shall speak to-day briefly

of Rutherford B. Hayes as Governor

of Ohio. His administration was one

full of glory and beneficence to the

State. His faithful service left monu-

ments to his statesmanship that will

live as long as Ohio.   They were

deeds, not of military nor of political

glory, but for the elevation of hu-

manity. It was through his influence

as Governor that the Geological Sur-

vey was revived and placed in the sub-

stantial position it now holds as one

of the most useful branches of the

State's service.

To him can be credited the establishment of the Soldiers'

Home.

He enlarged the field of the State Board of Charities. This

was a subject always dear to his heart, and after his term of

office was ended he served many years as a member of that body.

Governor Hayes always had the welfare of the State's un-


470 Ohio Arch

470      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

fortunate in view, and it was through his suggestion and influ-

ence that increased provisions were made for the insane; that the

graded system was introduced into the penitentiary, and that

many other prison reforms were instituted.

Among the most important acts of this humanitarian states-

man was the founding of the Reform School for Girls at Dela-

ware.

To him more than any one man in Ohio can be credited

the promotion and success of the Agricultural and Mechanical

College now the Ohio State University. He appointed the first

Board of Trustees of this institution and in its initial stages he

gave to it his wisest and best services. All his life, after he ceased

to be Governor, he watched with solicitous interest the welfare of

the University and no public duty was assumed with more en-

thusiasm than his entrance into the Board of Trustees.

He was always a student of history and a natural collector,

as the Treasures of this Memorial Building will show. It was

this instinct which prompted him to urge the purchase by the

State of the valuable St. Clair Papers; it was through his influ-

ence that they were preserved in the State Library and subse-

quently published.

In these few words I have referred to General Hayes' record

as Governor because others have given you his full length por-

trait as a national figure. But the people of his native State have

received from his life the heritage of service that comes close to

home to them. They can see the results of his life upon their

lives daily. He has indelibly impressed upon the history of Ohio

some of the most important acts and institutions of her existence.

These imprints were deeds of humanity and are helping every

day to uplift the humble and to comfort the unfortunate.

 

 

ADDRESS OF BASIL MEEK.

Basil Meek, representing the Sandusky County Bar associa-

tion, and chairman of the local committee of the Ohio State

Archaeological and Historical Society, offered the following

tribute :

Rutherford B. Hayes was, from 1845 to 1849, an active

member of what has been known as the Pioneer Bar of Sandusky