The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-05

the enduring answer: 1T commem.
crates the deeds Of Aiabama's sons
who died that you and your descend
ants should he what you and your fati
ers in the War Of independence left
YOU. Alabama asserted the right
proclaimed in the Declaration of In.
dependence as belonging to every
people. She found that the compact
Of union had been broken on cne
side and was therefore annul!ed; that
the government Of thc United States
did not answer Tie ends for which
it was intended. and. with others Of
like mind proceeded to form a new
confederation. organizing its powers,
in the language Of the Declaration Of
independence. III such form as seemed
to them most iikel Y TO effect their
safety and happiness. This was not
revolution, because the State govern
ment. having charge of all domes
tic affairs, both Of person and of
property, remained unchanged. TO
call it revolution is a gross solecis'n.
applause as soyereigns never rebel
and as only sovereigns can form a
national league. If the State had not
been sovereign, there could lot have
been a compact Of union. Applause.
That the South did rot anticipate,
much less desire, the var, is shown
by the absence Of preparation for it,
as we'll as by the efforts made to Sc
cure a peaceful separation. A sue
ccssful party always holds the defeat
ed responsible for the war, but when
passion sLal! have subsidized and rca-
son Shall have resumed her dominion.
it must be decided That the general
government had no constitutional
nowcr to cocrce State and that a
Stale had the right to repel invasion.
It was national and constitutional
| right. Applausel From the early
part Of the century there had been
prophecies and threats Of tile dis
solution of the Union. These began
at the North on tie question Of pre-
serving the balance ofpowcr and cul.
minated during the war ofIS12 on
the decline Of their trade, though the
war was waged for the protection Of
sailors rights. In the course CT
years the balance Of power passed to
the North. and that power was SO
used that tie South. deSpairing Of
the peaceful enjoyment OF their con-
stitutional rights in tile Union. de-
cided to withdraw from lt--th;s with
out injury to their late associates.
The right to withdraw was denied,
and the North made ready for war.
The distant mutterngs Of tile storm
were readily understood by the people
Of Alabama. Gray haired s:res and
and bcardlcss boys. al! unprepared
as they were. vert forth 10 meet the
storm ere it burst upon their
homes or their aliars. 1t required
10 Demosthcnes to arouse them
to the duty Of resisting tie in
vaders; no Patrick Henry TO prepare
them for til: alternative Of liberty or
death. 1t was the people. not the
leaders, who resolved and acted. One
sentiment inspired all classes. Yet
I believe there were very few who
did lot regret the necessity which
left them 70 alternative between
fighting for their State or against it.
Mothers, wives and daughters, chci-
ing back their sobs, cheered them on
the path of honor and duty. With
fearless tread thse 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
woe tempered by the glorious halo
which surrounds their memory. For
more than century after his death
it was said that Philip Dcvolognes'
name was born on the roll Of Grena-
Giers to whom be belonged. and
when his name was CALLED it was an
swercd from the ranks mort &nr le
cheMp Il h0nncHr. Long very. long,
would be the list which would con-
tain the names Of Aiabama's sons
whose valor and fidelity would justi-
fy the same response. To name &
few would be unjust to many. They
are all therefore left where they
securely repose-in the hearts of a
grateful people. This monument
will rest upon the land Tor which
they died. and point upward to the
Father who knows the motives as
we'll as tie deeds Of his children. and
and at last resting 10 land where
the justice ray be rendered which
may have been denied them here.
In conclusion, permit ne to say,
| .]tourh tho ,Onmnrv nj cur rrforiorc