Judge Councill Gives
Glad Welcome
In his address of welcome, Judge Councill said in part:
This is and always will be one of the most memorable days in
the history of Hickory. In the past we have had our celebrations of events of
importance and in the future we will have them again, but no occasion in the
past or the future, however important, has or will surpass this occasion, for
on this day this great concourse for our people have assembled to do honor to
and to extend a welcome to our returning soldiers and heroes back to their
homes and their loved ones, and say to them, “Well done, good and faithful.”
History is filled with glowing accounts of wars, of
victories and of welcomes accorded returning soldiers. Famous artists in olden
times have devoted their best talents to placing upon the canvas, pictures of
thundering chariots, at the wheels of which were dragged victims of defeat.
Sculptors have fashioned heroic and war-like statues, upon
whose wreathed brows or armored forms preserved in bronze or marble a
remembrance of great deeds. In simpler ways but with no smaller gratitude
Hickory and the surrounding country today pay tribute to our returning soldiers
and heroes.
In presence and in spirit we bid welcome and tribute alike
to those who have come back, and to those who still under arms guard foreign
fields or wait in homeland the orders to demobilize. Wherever our soldiers are
today the thoughts of the home folks are with none more than with those who lie
silent beneath crosses that dot the field, their blood has forever made sacred
to those who fell, whether in action, or at the post of duty ready for the
call, we pay especial tribute, and in spirit if not in flesh we have them with
us, with their comrades and loved ones here today.
How vividly we recall the historic 6th of April,
1917, when the toxin of war sounded throughout this fair land of ours. When
this great nation was forced in defense of great principles of humanity and in
the preservation of our liberties and our government to call to our brave
manhood and womanhood to enter the great world conflict, and that each and
every one do his duty and her duty to save us from the fate of being ground
beneath the heel of the bloody and cruel Hun. We know what this meant—how the
hearts of mothers, wives, fathers and sweethearts and loved ones were wrung
with grief, and sorrow, at the thought of giving our young men to the God of
War, but we also recall the grief was softened when we fully realized for what
great purpose this sacrifice was to be made, and boys, when we saw you go away,
at the call of your country, so ready and so willing to give your lives and
your all, for Old Glory and what it represents, our hearts bounded with pride,
and while there were tears and heart-aches yet there were smiles, and a
lightening of the heart because we felt proud that we had such boys to give our
country at the hour of its great peril.
Soldiers, we have not lost sight of you, we have in spirit
been with you in the camps, on your perilous voyage on the high seas, on the
battle fronts, in your gallant charges along the blood battlefields of the
Marne; yes, with you when those of you who were permitted to do so, by the
fortunes of war, helped to break the unbreakable Hindenburg line, and to put
the blood Hun to everlasting flight for which we say, “Thank God.”
This Settled
The question as to what great power or factor contributed
most to winning the great war will never be settled; perhaps it should not be
as there is glory enough for all nations, but the question of who first broke
the famous Hindenburg line has been definitely settled, and in such a way and
upon such authority as can never be disputed in future history.
This imperishable glory and fame came to the 30th
division (The Old Hickory) and in that division were North Carolina, South
Carolina and Tennessee troops, who bore a most conspicuous part and of the
North Carolina troops engaged, let me say with pardonable pride that Hickory and
Catawba county were splendidly represented. All glory and honor to brave men
from everywhere who fought in this bloody and desperate encounter, but to you
Major Lyerly, and your brave boys of the 105th engineers, many of
whom are with us today, let me say: You have won for yourselves and for us
imperishable glory, and we want you and your gallant aids and officers and
soldiers to know how much we cherish and love you all for your devotion to duty
and for your deeds or daring and valor upon the battlefields of France—we are
going to hear from you Major Lyerly, very soon and we want you to throw off
your usual modesty and let us know of Old Company A, and the 105th
Engineers Corps, for this history is our cherished, valued and rightful
heritage.
Those Left Here
Now, let me say a word to the boys who did not go across: Do
not feel disappointed, young men, that you were not permitted to take a more
active part in the great world conflict. If you did what you were called upon to
do, and were ready to meet the call of your country, and face any eventuality,
then you are entitled to all honor. This celebration is for all honorable
soldiers, those who stood ready and willing to serve their country, and we want
you to feel that this great welcome is for you as much as for any other more
fortunate soldier, who was permitted to go across and to fight, to make this
world a better place in which to live. Feel no tinge of jealousy because your comrade
was permitted to win honors that you do not enjoy, but take pride in his achievements
and this will make you nobler and better in every way, and establish between
you a stronger comradeship.
A word more, soldiers, to you all: While you have been away,
we have tried to “Keep the Home Fires Burning.” We have looked forward to this
day when we might welcome you back to your homes and loved ones. In the providence
of God, all have not returned in body, but I trust the spirits of those who
sleep “In Flanders Field the poppies blow between the crosses row on row” are
with us today. The soil upon which they rest is consecrated to us, for it holds
within its bosom our departed heroes.
While you have been away I must tell you that behind were
noble women and men who have labored and prayed for you, and have done all that
they could do for our country and soldiers. You will know them. I leave to you
to learn of their labor, zeal, patriotism and sacrifice. All honor to this
noble band. I must conclude remarks for we want this to be a day of
wholehearted welcome to our soldiers not one of long speeches—We want them and
every one else to let this be a day of thanksgiving and joy. “Let joy be
unrestrained.”
Dedicated in Love
We have been unable to do as much for you soldiers as we
would like to do or you deserve, but we have done all we felt we could do. Our
triumphal Arch that greets you over there is one dedicated in love, honor, and
devotion to you. It will, in time, perish and pass from us, but the memory of
it and this day will live on and on, as long as time lasts. But boys permit me
to break the news gently to you that we have learned that the “Dough Boy” love
the “eats,” so we have acted upon this information, and loving hands and generous
hearts have provided for this most essential part of our celebration. I will not
tell you what we have on the bill of fare, for I am afraid it would stampede
our meeting, but I will say this much, your mothers, wives and sweethearts did
the cooking. Veterans of the war, Hickory and Catawba county, give you a hearty
welcome home. It bids you accept the gratitude due a worthy and successful
effort.
Civilian Soldiers
In taking your place again in the rank and file of
citizenship, may you make a record in keeping with that you bring back to us,
as soldiers, is our hope and expectation. Your influence for good in private
life by your correct living will help to make more secure the foundations of
our great and much beloved country.
To you all we hold out the helping hand and pray God’s
blessing upon you, to those of you who are maimed or injured, we promise our
best efforts and fullest aid in helping you resume your place in the world’s work,
unhampered by your honorable wounds. Soldiers WELCOME to hearts that love you,
to a city and country and world that are proud of you. Your sacrifices shall
benefit the whole people who will seek to so act for all time.
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