Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-30

oOutnerners 70 perpetuate on the pages
Of military history their record in that
great struggle through four long years;
and thus to bring the seeds which
should terminate aud bring forth fruit
when the actors were dead and gone.
II vas unnecessary to discuss the causes
which led to the great civil struggle.
The South had no wish to bring il on.
When the North forced it by a war on
those principles without which the South
would be ruined in wealth aud honor, his
tory will tell Of how the South offered 10
give up all the public lands, to give free
navigation of the Mississippi river, and
to bear a part Of the national debt il she
we're allowed to pass without bloodshed
from that Union which no longer gave
her its protection. All know how these
tenders were refused. War came, four
years Of devastating bloody war. The
North since the war had assiduously
tried to spread the story abroad, and SOW
it broadcast over the land, as we'll as to
send it down to posterity as a great his.
%torical fact, that the warfare carried on
by the South was barbarous and upcivi-
lized. The comrade, as he received the
last word Of his dying friend on the field
OF battle, could not promise him 6 tower.
ing shaft of granite, but he could promise
to rear to him a greater monument, one
of immortality on the pages Of history
-vindicatioH Of his name and honor.
From thousands of graves over the land
come the reminders Of this promise.
Their heroism must rot die, their brave,
knightly bearing be suffered to endure
the foul touch of aspersion. Then the
great moral lessons of that struggle must
be transmitted to those who come after
the actors in its bloody drama. Every
noble action recorded, every lofty deed
Of patriotism written, becomes a factor
in shaping to noble thoughts and holy
aspirations those Of generations to come.
Even as the heroism of Leonidss excited
grand ideas, 30 the record of Southern
men in arms and noble Southern women
in toll and suffering, would live on for.
ever. The cause for which the South
struggled is not a lost cause. 1t pleased
God to deny to valor what 10 peace has
been triumphant, The cause Of local
selfgoverument for which so many brave
men dared to die lives to-day, is advo-
Gated by many who once met the South
ern arm with clash of steel aud below
ing cannon, aud will live as long as free
republican institutions live. In war the
South made her history by deeds of
proves and desperate defense and noble
generosity; in peace she made her his
tory by patience in suffering, fidelity to
her oath. She has made her history in
war aud in peace, aud now it must be re.
corded.
FLORAL TRIBUTE.
After the speech, Mr.. S. N. ADder-
son presented General Johnston with a
unique floral tribute, the design being
that of a star. Attached to the bouquet
was a card with the words, ITO Geseral
George D. Johnston, from a GAINESVILLE
friend, Mrs. Kerr" General Johnston,
in a graceful manner, received this bou.
quet and expressed to Mr., Anderson his
appreciation Of its beauty and also bis
thanks to the fair donor.
VI JUDGE CLAPP,
Judge ]. W. Clapp, 10 response to calls,
made a few remarks upon the subject Of
g Southern Historical Society. He
{ .vored the laudable purpose of the So
ciety, and showed how the people of the
South should be eager 10 assist this.
Judge Clapp paid a touching tribute to
e memory Of the noble dead, and said
n At the record Of their valiant services
should be preserved and consecrated 70
the recognition of ages yet unborn. His
remarks, though short, we're eloquent,
apt, and hence impressive.
REMARKS OF JUDGE BROWN.
Judge Tom W. Brown being called for,
also made an impromptu address, char
acteristic of the great orator that he is.
The following is an extract from the ex.
Ordium of what Judge Brown said:
The traveller along the slippery lodges
Of Alpine nights is often warned not to
give voice to his thoughts, lest its rever-
berations may u~nloose ttc avalanche
and hurl destruction on the smiling val
ley below andi its happy people. To speak
or write the true word of the South in
the late war between the States need not
start an avalanche or destroy a single
principle Of liberty or impair the patriot.
ism OF our people. The united republic
not only will not be shaken 10 its found.
atoms, but on the contrary be strength.
ened and invigorated in those moral
inspirations that push a people or
nation on 10 greatness ard glory
1t is not expected by any one
abreast OF the age, by any one who
has intelligence enough to understand
that certain results generally follow a
great war, especially a civil one, that this
history shall be at all absorbed 10 reoro.
duoing the stump polemics of a former
day as to which OF the two parties to he
struggle was abstrsctly or philosophically
right or wrong. Domestic strifes when
they rise to the dignity of civil wars al
ways mark epochs in a nations deyelop-
ment. No civil war is bred unless deep.
profound convictions undeFlie both con.
%testants. If each be truly honest in the
struggle it is sufficient that each re-
speet the othets integrity. This
much the victor may demand without
tyranny to the vanquished. This much
the %vauquished may demand without re-
newed strife Of opinion or resistance 20
the fiat Of successful arms. Therefore,
to formulate briefly the considerations
that justly and properly inpei the sayyi.
vors ip the South Of the Confederate war
to gather and prepare for the lutGre his.
toFias the memorials and facts that are
necessary in impartial history to es;ab
lish the honor and truth Of the South Ia
coming to tho arbitrament OF battle, and
illustrating the valor and skill of her
soldiers, aud making manifest The hero
ism Of her people, | will say that such