OHJ Archive

460 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

technic Institute, the Brooklyn Institute, the Missouri Historical

Society, the Florida State Museum, the president of Tufts Col-

lege, the National Society of D. A. R., etc.

ADDRESS OF CONGRESSMAN OVERMYER.

Congressman A. W. Overmyer, of the 1₃th Ohio District who

came from Washington, D. C., expressly to take part in the

dedicatory exercises, then delivered

the following address:

Fortunate indeed are all of us who

have been permitted to witness this

ceremony today. The occasion, the

place, the day, the assemblage, all

have been appropriate.

The occasion is appropriate, for

we meet to dedicate this splendid me-

morial, erected by the great common-

wealth of Ohio, to one of its most

illustrious sons. The place is appro-

priate for here are the hallowed

scenes amid which Hayes spent so

much of his mature life which was not

devoted to the public service of his country.

The day is appropriate for on this Memorial Day there is

no more fitting service that could have been performed than to

meet here and recount the deeds and review the life work of

one of America's bravest soldiers and one of her most loyal de-

fenders, a soldier who had the courage to fight and the ability

to lead others in fighting.

The assemblage is appropriate and such as eminently

benefits the occasion, for the President is represented here by

a member of his cabinet, an Ohio man; the Senate and House of

Representatives are represented here, and representatives of

the civil and military authority of the state, the county, and the

city; and the people to whom he ever turned a listening ear-

the people are here, in masses such as seldom before assembled

within the shadows of Spiegel Grove; they are here to bring

Dedication of the Hayes Memorial. 461

their own heartfelt testimony to the occasion; they are here

representing all shades of religious and political belief, all ages

and conditions of life, all are here as Americans and come to this

historic and sacred spot to fraternize with each other in a fresh

act of homage to the memory of Rutherford B. Hayes.

Many who are here in this audience knew President

Hayes and his devoted wife while they were living, knew them as

neighbors, as friends, as members of the same church. To such

this must be a wonderful day.

I shall always cherish the memory that, as a young boy, I

heard President Hayes deliver an address at a Croghan Day

celebration from the old bandstand in the county park before

the Court House. I can see him now as I saw him then, a noble-

looking man with a kindly face, snow-white beard and hair, but

with the vigor of young manhood in his heart.

I do not know what phase of the life of Rutherford B.

Hayes appeals to the people the most; but after having read

the splendid biography of President Hayes written by the orator

of the day, Doctor Williams, I will say without hesitation that

the impression I shall hereafter always carry of him will not

be his military service, valiant and glorious as that was, nor his

services as Governor and President, valuable and statesmanlike

as they were, but it will be of Rutherford B. Hayes as a man, a

superb, unselfish, warm and Christian hearted man whose pure

heart went out in sympathy to all mankind and was wholly in-

capable of a selfish or unworthy thought.

As a husband, as a father, as a citizen and neighbor and

friend, Rutherford B. Hayes has left to future generations his

richest heritage. Never seeking public honors, he had them thrust

upon him; yearning, as he continually did for the peace and com-

fort of a quiet home life, he was called again and again to per-

form high public service, to assume the highest positions of

responsibility and trust. This is the stamp of true greatness.

Washington had the same modesty and so did Lincoln, and in

the love of his fellow-man, in patriotism, in purity of heart and

unselfishness, Hayes was as great as either of them.

I feel honored in having been permitted to be present at

these ceremonies. Through the ages this beautiful memorial

462 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

will stand as the testimonial of a grateful people to the life and

services of a truly beloved man. To this building and the beauti-

ful grove surrounding it will come generations of American citi-

zens, our children, grandchildren, and their descendants, and draw

an inspiration to a life of unselfishness and honor as they become

more and more familiar with the life and character of Ruther-

ford Birchard Hayes, that crowned and glorious life.

ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN ALEXIS COPE.

Captain Alexis Cope representing the Military Order of the

Loyal Legion, and also the associate of General Hayes on the

Board of the Ohio State University, spoke as follows:

President Wright, Members of the Board of Trustees of the

Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society, Ladies and

Gentlemen:

It was only yesterday that I received a telegram from Colo-

nel Webb Hayes informing me that I would be expected to

speak for the Loyal Legion on this

occasion, so what I shall say has

come to me in the few moments of

reflection I have had since then, and

shall be brief. Indeed the eloquent

and scholarly address we have just

heard from the lips of his distin-

guished biographer, Mr. Williams,

has left his followers on the program

little to say. All the high and shin-

ing points of President Hayes' great

career, have been touched by a

master hand. I congratulate him on

his noble address. I also congratu-

late him on his biography of Presi-

dent Hayes, in which he has given to the world in simple and

most attractive style the true story of his life and public ser-

vices.

Ohio History Journal