Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-02
sTATUE OLE HON. les. IT. HILL.

tial principles from the old Confederacy
The constitutions were the same except
such changes as the wisdom of experience
suggested. The Southern COnfederacy con-
tPmplated no invasion or conquest. is chef
cornerstone was not African slavery. It's
foundations were laid in the doctrines OF the
fathers of the republic, and the chief corner
stone was the essential fundamental princi-
pie of free government; that all governments
derive their just powers from the consent OF
the governed Its purpose was not o perpet-
uatc the slavery of the black race, but to pre-
serve the liberty of the white race Of the
South. 1t was another de slaration Of Ameri
can independence. In the purity of their
motives, IN the lOftness of their patriotism.
in their love of liberty, they who declared and
maintained the first were not worthier than
they who declared, and failed. in the last.
Animated by suen purposes. aspiring to such
without shame now, we entered
upon that movement. &c was
opposed By war on the South and her
people. What was the South and who we're
her people? There are those who seem to
think she nurtlred a Upas whose very
shadow blighted wherever It fell, and made
her civilization inferior. What WAS that
civilization? Let its products as seen in the
people it produced anc the character and
history Of that people answer. Where DO
you look for the civilization of people?
In their history. in their achievements, in
their institutions, in their char aeter in
their men and women, in their love OF lib
cry and country, in their fear OF God, in
their contributions TO the progress of s0ci-
ETY. anu the race. Measured by this high
standard. where was there a grander ADD
nObler civilization than hersf Where has
there been greater love of learning than that
which established her colleges and universe
tiesY Where better preparatory schools, sus-
tanned by private patronage and not the eX
actions OF the taX-Ratbercr-uOw unhapplly
dwarfed and well-nlgh Dllghted by our mod
ern system. Whose people has higher sense OF
personal honO~?W hose business aud commerce
was controlled by higher Integrity? Whose
public men had cleaner hands and purer
recordsG Whose soldiers were braver
or knightlier7 Whose orators more
eloquent and persuasive? Whose
statesmen more wise and con ervative? Whose
young men more chivalric? Whose young
women more chasie? Whose fathers and
mothers worthier eNamniesY Whose homes
more ab0unded in hospitality as genial and
free to every friendly conner as the sun that
covered them with its spieudor: Where was
there more Respect Tor woman, Tor the church.
Tor the Sabbath. for God, ana for the law?
which next To God Il entitled To the hlghe- {
respect aud generation OF man. for 10 Is the
test representative OF His awful majesty,
and power and goodness. Where was there
more love OF home, OF country and OF liberty?
Forced to defend our homes and liberties
after every honorable effort for peaceful sep
aration, we went to war. Our leaders were
worthy OF their high cOmmis ion. / FAY our
leaders, for 1 believe That he WHO Led our
armies was not more loyal. and made no bet
ter use OF the resources al his command than
he to whom As enirusi Ell our civil admins
tration. Our people scaled their sincerity
with the ri chest treasure ever offered. aud the
nOblest holocaust ever cOnsumed upon the
altar OF country. To many of Won who enjoy
the honor OF having partc pated In 1t the his
tory l. known. You OUGHT to prove yourself
worthy OF that honor by teaching that history
~ those who come after YOU. IhopgE IN no
wise responsi bic for it, though he had warned
and struggled TO avert lt, GeOrgla's fortune
WAS his fortune, GeOrgia's destiny was his
destiny. though 1T led TO war. 0 hers VINO had
been Influential, in bringing about diBsOu-
ton and The lrst u take up arms
engendered disafection, by pc ~ cavlls. dis
Outraged wncn tuey should have chCercd,
weakened when they should have strength
eued. but the spirit Of his devotion never al
tered and through all the stormy life OF the
young republic, what StOnewall Jackson was
10 Lee, ne was 90 Davis. II tbs colder who
leads his country through the pcrls OF war Is
entitled TO his cOuulry's praise nj honor, 10
less the statesman VINO furnishes dnd sustains
the resources OF war. Our nag went down at
Appom litoX. Weakened by slabs from ne
hind, inflicted by handa that should nave up
held, aud her front covered with the
wounds Of the ightest war OF modern times;
dripping with rs pure blood as ever hall0wed
freedom's cause. our Conlederacy fell, and
Liberty stood weeping a. the grave OF her
youngest and iaifest daughter.
There arc trials severer than war. and ca
lamties worse than the defeat OF arms. The
ouNhh " " W hti1h AiiiVltEu hNhN liiAiH anu HN
threatened with such calHmities 10y the events
Of that period. Now and than itseems that ~
the ateu aud pent up 'orces OF the natural
world are turned loose for terrib deetruc-
ti0n. The foundations Of the earth. laid IN
the depths Of ages. are shaken by mighty up-
heagals, the heavens whose blHckness is un-
relieved ny a rtngle star, roll their OrtentiOus
thunderings. land nature. writing IN pain
through al her works, x yes signs 81 woe +"
The fruits Of years OF industry are swept away
In an hour; the landmarks ~ ages are ubIlier-
aied without vestige. tns sturdest oak that
has struck deep ~ roofs tn the hoson OF The
Garth is the plaything ~ the maddened winds:
The rocks thSt mark tha form alton Of whole
geologic Il periods are rent, aud deep gors e.
in the m nntHiu side like ugly scars In the
flce OF the earth toll Of the force aud iurv Of
the storm. SUCH WAS that period o our social.
domestic AMI political Institutions, Law no
longer held les benign sway. bat gave place
10 the mandate 81 petty dictatOrs enforced by
The bayonet What little 81 property re-
maineu was held by no ienuro hut the canrici
Gus Will OF the plnpdorefi 4 berry aud life
we're at The merry 81 ihe cppqueror; the sane
titY Of hume " 81 invaded; vice trumphed
over virtue. ignorance ruled M lOrdiy aud