Ohio History Journal




30 Ohio Arch

30         Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

not to enslave men but to make men free, to enlarge in a vast degree

the zone of Republican government.

All honor to George Croghan and his heroic band. All honor

to the soldiers of the revolution. All honor to the soldiers of the

Mexican war. All honor to the soldiers of the Union. All honor to

the soldiers of the Spanish-American war. The American people honor

them. They honor them each and all. They hold them forever within

the embrace of their fondest memory.

Fellow citizens, it would be impossible for me to close these few

words without expressing that appreciation to Col. Webb C. Hayes

which is in the hearts of all of us here to-day. It is a happy circum-

stance that he, a soldier himself, and a son of one of the brave defenders

of the Union in the Civil War, should thoughtfully and generously bring

back from the soil of Kentucky where he was sleeping his everlasting

sleep the remains of this brave, fearless leader, in order that they might

rest here amid the theater of his immortal achievements.

All honor to Colonel Hayes for what he has so splendidly done,

and all honor to the community which respects and preserves the memory

of those who have served so well in the cause of their country.

I will leave you, my friends, and I leave you with regret. I leave

you, however, with the confident hope that you will go forward in the

enjoyment of peace and happiness which are the legitimate fruits of

those who fought here and elsewhere for Republican government.

 

ADDRESS OF GENERAL ANDREW L. HARRIS.

 

GOVERNOR OF OHIO.

The chairman has stated that I will make a few remarks, and this

is truly said. When your committee came to Columbus to invite me to

participate on this occasion I frankly told them that it would be im-

possible for me to make any preparation, but that I could come provid-

ing no speech was expected of me, and, fellow citizens, Col. Hayes

gladly accepted the promise, and it was with that understanding that I

am here to-day, for the purpose of participating with you in my pres-

ence more than by words or speech on this memorable occasion.

I sometimes think that we have never given sufficient importance

in history to the gallant deeds that were performed here in 1813. You

remember that up to that time the results of the war seemed against us.

We had met many reverses, but it was Col. Croghan and his 160 men

who won one of the most important victories, according to the numbers

engaged on our side and the numbers of the enemy, that is recorded

in American history. It was from this moment that the tide of the

battle turned in our favor. From that time victory after victory followed

until in a few months' time the war was ended, and victory seemed

vouchsafed to us so far as the mother country was concerned, the



The Croghan Celebration

The Croghan Celebration.                    31

 

liberty that we are enjoying to-day, and I wish to say that upon this

spot, this historic spot that the tide turned in favor of the American

nation, in the war of 1812-13. How unfortunate you are to have within

your corporate limits the most historic spot in the United States of

America. I never stood upon this ground, upon this battlefield until to-

day. My mind turns back to my youthful days, when I read of the

bravery of Croghan and his 160 men, and I

often thought it was a miracle, he being a

mere youth and only 160 men, and de-

fending the fort against so many British

and Indians. But it was done, and from

that day to this, this spot has been a his-

toric spot, a spot that is dear in the minds

of our American citizens.

Now, there are others to make a few

remarks, and I want to give them a chance

to make them, and I only want to say in

conclusion that I congratulate the city of

Fremont in the respect and love that it has

shown for this spot, and its great defender.

I want to congratulate the city of Fremont

for having in your midst a young soldier

who is aiding to keep this a historic spot,

dearer and dearer each year in the mem-

ory of the American people, in the person of Col. Webb C. Hayes.

I thank you for your attention for you must be getting tired and I

will leave you, saying that I am glad it was my privilege to be with

you to-day, and I will ever remember this meeting as long as I live.

This day will be deep in my memory.

 

ADDRESS OF E. O. RANDALL.

 

SECRETARY OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

The only apology I have for the honor of appearing before you on

this interesting occasion is that my college friend of years ago, your

splendid, patriotic and enterprising fellow-citizen, Colonel Webb. C.

Hayes, invited me to come; his apology being that I am an official of

the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, whose business it

is to gather, preserve and disseminate the lore, historic and prehistoric

of our great state. The orator of the day, the Hon. Samuel D. Dodge,

has recited to you in graphic terms the history that led up to the

siege of Fort Stephenson and the incomparable bravery and patriotism

with which the youth George Croghan and his gallant little band defended

the crude stockade fort and stemmed the tide that to that moment seemed

against the Americans. The successful repulse of Proctor and the British