The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-05-08
a natural and constitutional right. ZAP

q natural and constitutional right Jap
plause.
had been prophecies and threats Of a disso-
luton of the Union. These began at the
North on the question OF preserving the bal
ance OF power and eliminated during the
war of 1912 on the decline OF their trade,
though the war was waged for the protec'
ton of sailors rights In the course or years
the balance Of power passed to the North,
and that power was so used that the South,
despalrinR OF the peaceful enjoyment OF
their constitutional rights in the Union, de-
cided to withdraw from IL; this without In.
jury TO their late associates. This right TO
withdraw was denied, and the North made
ready for war
The distant mutterIng OF the storm was
readily understood by The people OF Ala
bama. Gray haired sires and beardess boys,
all unprepared as they were, went forth to
meet the storm ere 1t burst upon their
homes 1t required no Demosthenes to
arouse them to the duty OF resisting the in
vaders; no Patrick Henry to prepare them
for the alternative of "llberty or DEATH" It
was the people, not the leaders, who re-
solved and acted. One sentiment inspired
all classes. Yet l believe there were very
few who did not regret the necessity which
left them no alternative between fighting for
their State or against It. Mothers, wives ana
daughters. choking back their sobs cheered
them on the path 81 honor and duty. With
fearless tread, these patriots, unframed to
war, advanced on many battle fields to look
death in the face.
Though Alabama, like Niobe must mourn
her children in death, yet is her woe tenn
pered by the glorious halo which surrounds
their memory.
For more than a century after his death IL
Ia said that Philip Devalogne's name was
borne on the roll OF tine grenadlers to whom
he belonged, and when his name was called
II was answered from the ranks: Mort sur
!echGmp d'honneur. Long. very long.
would be the list which would con-
ct, Nhn 20 AInh xyhn
valor and fidelity would Justify the
same response. To name a few would be
unjust IT, the many. They are all, there
fore, left where they securely repose in the
hearts of grateful people. This monument
will rest upon the land for which they died,
and point upward to the Father W no knows
the motives as we'll as the deeds of his chill
| dren, and to them at least resting in the land
where that justice may be rendered which
| may have been denied them here.
In conclusion, permit me TO say, that
though the memory Of our glorious past
must ever be dear to US, duty points TO the
present and the future. Alabama having
resumed her place In the Union, be 1t yours
| to fulfill all the obligations devolving upon
all good citizens seeking to restore the Gen
| eral Government to its pristine purity, and
rs best you may to promote the welfare and
| happiness of your common country. Long
continued applause.l
| Citizens of Alabama and ladies' turning to
| the ladies on the platform), for to whatever
| side you may belong, II is your sex inst has
been true always in war and desolaUon. We
| hear of the valor and virtues, a. l enduring
| name of the Spartan mothers, It tell me
when In all the history of nations was ever
| such spectacle seen as was witnessed in
| the valley of the Shenandoah? How the tide
| OF war ebbed and flowed. Sometimes the
| Confederates retreated and sometimes they
| pursued. Those people who claimed to be
| our brethren had burned every thing except
| our fences
| Ex.Gnvernor watts-And thev ,youId bava
! burned them had they not been stone.
| Mr.. Davis turned smilln ely and repeated
TO the crowd land why do you suppose
they did not burn the fences2 because they
were stone loud applausel and yet there
never was q time when a Confederate body
of troops marched down that valley that
the ladies did not wave Confederate flags
| from Il cir windows, and give bread to the
hungry soldiers Tremendous Applausel.
1 have promised that would not speak
extemporaneously, and l will not do IL.
God bless you one and all. love you all
from the bottom OF my heart, and give You
thanks now for your kindness. Great and
prolonged cheering.l
The cerefnony of laying the corner.
stone was.Participateed in by the Mason
ic fraternity, the Monument Association
consisting of Colonies Reece, Bragg, W.
B. Johnson and Screws, Governor 0'Neil,
General W. W. Allen, Grand Master Har-
rs of the Knights Of Pythias, and voter.
ans of the late war. Mr.. Davis and Gem
eral Gordon then proceeded to the Gov
ernor's room in the Capitol, where they
received the veterans. After dinner, at
the Exchange Hotel, they joined the Mill
tary Ladies' Memorial Association, this
being their Decoration Day, in grand
parade to the cemetery, where the SOL
diers' graves were decorated.
Captain A. A. Wiley delivered the ora
ton. The graves of Yancey, General
Lomax and other distinguished dead were
handsomely Onamented. Mr.. Davis goes
to Atlanta tomorrow on special train
rendered by General Manager Abbott Of
the Western railroad of Alabama. After
the unwilling of the Hill monument, he
will go to Savannah. This city is alive
with strangers, and bunting decorations
} are abundant.