The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-10
OUR VETERANS.
Upton County's Annual Reunion.
The Men Who Wore the Gray Meet
at Brighton, Tenn.
Quite 1000 People Gather to Enjoy
the Exercises OF the Day.
DR.. Burford, the Orator of the Day
Acquits Himself Nobly.
Gen. Dupuy Also Makes Fine Address
as Does J. Harvey Mathes-A Beau
tiful Incident During DR..
Burford's Grafton,

The regular annual reunion OF the Tip
ton county Confederate Memorial assoca-
ton was held at Brighton yesterday. Citi-
zens Of Upton, men, women and children,
ATdirly poured into the beautiful grove, a
short distance from town. They came in
wagons, in buggies, in drags and in sur.
reys. They rode on horse and muleback
and donkeyback, and the G. & o. added
coach load after coach load OF humanity,
until the souls upon the grounds num-
bcred quite 1000. And these 1000 were
all interested in the proceedings of the
day and were filed with hero wor-
ship for the men who had fought
hundred battles for their bones
and country, and each one bowed
his or her head in reverence when the gray
haired veterans OF the gray filed into the
grove led by the Mason Mounted Guards
under the command of the stalwart and
heroic figure of Capt. Alfred Boyd.
The day had advanced until noon before
the proceedings had begun, but the CRATE
ful shade Of the monarchs OF the forest
protected the people from the rays of the
sun and a pleasant breeze made the at
upHplltIt unusually NuIllNlldulfs
Capt. Merrill acted us master Of cere-
monies, and after calling order by rapring
the stand in front OF him with a stout stick,
which he uses to assist crippled leg that
was struck by Yankee bullet in keeping
up with the good leg, DR.. Ramsey, OF Ba-
den, offered a iervcnt prayer.
This was followed by selection by the
Brighton brass band, which acquitted
itself most creditably, us 1t did all through
the day.
being seen in the assembled thousands
before the stand, Capt, Merrill called him
up TO the rostrum ann demanded speech
OF him. lie said:
"As each revolving year rolls around
this place is made 10 commemorate anew
'le ties OF affection which bind good neigh
bors together and unite in one common
brotherhood those who, aquartcr OF Il CEN
tury age, offered their lives and fortunes TO
their country, the story can never grow wca.
risone-both were stories OF eternal love,
both OF martrydom. In all ages and in
every country acts OF hcroism aud unscli-
fish woe for fellow man have sought the
attention and thrilled the hearts Of hu.
manity. II has given theme and inspi-
ration 10 the poet and supplies the orator
III tNNIl NEN WIN NNlAAn AlldA NhNhs ~
has been written mans inhumaniiy 10
man makes countless millions mourn.
But in like manner Il is true that mans
bencyolence to man has stamped hun the
highest and noblest OF Gods creations and
placed him indeed a little below the
angels.
mo period in history can tell Of a more
unsclfish devotion than that which rccites
the se!f.abncgation Of those heroes who
left home and family in iS6l-6j and offer.
cd their lives upon the altar VI their Coun-
try. Without pay and without price they
rushed into the ranks, there 10 stay for an
indefinite time, 10 endure the hardships OF
tent and field, the ,oriurcs Of the march in
sunshine and hail-to work, 90 suffer, "a
battle and TO die II need he, in obodi.
ence TO call Of duty, and
in defense OF loved ones at home.
sometimes hear il said when some heroic
deed Is pointed 10 as worthy Of memory
In the life Of a Confederate soldier-or II
some reward is urged 20 one OF these
maimcd heroes-'Oh, that is played out
What Has IL come to this, that within
twenty-five years after these heroes sig
nalizcd their yalor on hundred bloody
fields, and crowned our southland will
immortal glory, We can find some irgratcs
30 lost 10 shame, with hearts - cold ant
brain NO obtuse they cannot apprecial,
these memories? Brave men eycrywher
delight 10 recount deeds of daring, and
he must have a heart as cold ~
the grass that drank the bloc,
oi our forciathcrs at Valley Forge who cat
turna dcafcar OF an Indifferent attention
10 the story Of the Lost Cause" An,
these annual reunions where the old sol
dicr and the sons and daughters OF oil,
soldiers make their annual pilgrimage, q
thc faithful did, In the daysOithc crusades
10 the tomb Of the Saviour, ~ the piou
Mussclmen do 10 Mecca, testify 10 us an'
to the world that We yet revere the caus
for which lee and Jackson fought am
We are not ashamed 20 be known and scei
among Confederate soldiers.
"But the war Is over, and the din q
battle is slcnccd The clouds OF dust an
smoke have given place 10 sunshine an
peace. Peace radiant, holy peace i
I'M this broad and happy land the impl,
meuts Of industry are busy, aud field an
harvest blossom In peace No rumblin
artillery nor rattling muskctry; no hoay
tread ot warlikc hosts, no weeping mott
crs nor sorrowing sisters, but oil h Joy an
peace. Today VIC who assemble here !
the full consciousness Of duty done an
honor saved, In love With our commo
country and fellow man, know and apr,
ciate the full meaning OF that wor
peace
But, my fellow citizens, peace hat
her victories no less renowned than war
and We have the battles, OF our country
fight over again, with ballots not bullet
with arguments, not bayoneis; with fac
and figures, not with cannon and mu
kerry"
Alter another selection from the bra
band, the Rev. Dr. Buhord, Of Mcmphl
the orator OF the day, was called 10 u
'front.' and right rcady he was, too. lie
l. soul whom Il Jolighteth the man vi
sull remembers the marches, the encam
--.mcnts. the battles Of the late war 10 me
aud commune with.
IN. BuRrogD,
although his battles now lay in anotll
direction. indeed n soldier Of the Gro
battles in which not swords are used, i
t,rri charity aud persuasion; yet will
t.trN-C Conlcdorutc bosom there burns
lI., and such lirc fed by the memoir
ut ilr deeds in which lac himself took