The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-07-12

cleaning oOuLnern CrOSS,-LO unite 10
upbuild and make this country one
fit for freemen and the children of
freemen.
| recognize that the war is over and
thank God for it, but may my tongue
cleave to the roof of my mouth, ard
my right hand forget its cunning if
ever forget the men who gave their
blood for this dear country. Never
will brand them traitors No, MOI!
Noi.l
| was opposed to the war, but when
my State, the Harry Hotspur of the
South, called ON me [ followed her,
believing we had right on our side
that same right enunciated in the irl-
mortal Declaration of independence =
the right to change the form of g5v
ernment whenever their interests de
manded it.
" hen the battle flags fell | recog-
nized the fact that it was the duty of
every man to bring peace to this dis
tracted land.
I know, frankly, that there are ma
ry true and brave Union men in the
South, and for them | have not one
word of reproach. They acted accor-
ding to their conscience, acted accor-
ding to mine and accord them that
right-the right of every freeman.
If the restoration of peace and har-
mony could have been left to the ar
mics, if they could haze killed every
politician in the land we would have
had peace long before it has blessed
us. Laughter and cheers But
peace has come at last, and don't
believe we could find better evidence
of it than here to day. The blue and
the gray are camping under the same
tents, the harmless muskets no longer
are pointed at brothers breasts, but
side by side they stand, each bearing
arms, and all under the grand old flag
of our common country. | see around
me evidences of thrift, enterprise and
wealth, which convince me that the
people Of this beautiful Piedmont Sec
tion have laid aside all bitterness of
er for the upbuilding of this favored
land. And | want to say to you that
there is no other place in North Caro-
lima where the people are celebrating
the 'sFourth" because | believe that
every man, woman and child in the
State is here to-day. [Cheers. Con
gratulate you that SO many fair daugh-
ters of North Carolina bear on their
shoulders TIE flag of their country.
No good work can go on without the
women. [Cheers and laughter. Dur
ing the war, God bless them, there
was no cottage so humble that it didn't
give everything it could give to
wounded soldier. Many, man poor
fellow as he passed over the daNk riv-
er had consolation and sweet hope
breathed into his dying ears by Nhe
tender women of the South. ~
They were the women who sent
their husbands and sons to the war,
sitting their own feelings, while Civ
ing all of their dearest for the sake of
their country. How often, during the
long conflict did they await with
breathless suspense and agony, the
news of some great battle to know
whether their loved ones would ever
come home again or whether they
were to be buried on the bloody field.
Thus did mother and maid give eve
rything dearest for their country.
They were noble in war and are noble
in peace, and [ want to say to them
to day: : You have sacred duty now.
You are blessed with the messenger of
peace, and though in many of your
hearts, like Rachel weeping for her
children, there is bitterness, you must
teach your children and your chill
dren's children to love this great ma
ton as our common country. At the
same time you must never let them
forget that the brave men of the South
who faced every danger-death itself
did it from conviction of duty.
When you have instilled these les
sons pray for you, l pray for you
men and women of North Carolina
and my old comrades, pray that
there may be showered upon you
every blessing merciful God can
give to the chosen people of this coun-
try. prolonged applause-l
After the applause following Sena,
tor Hampton's address Rev. Edward
Rondthaler, d. D., arose and closed
the program by solemn benediction.
AT CAMP FENDER.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Were notable days for ovel 900 Con
fe&erate veterans, who were registered
at Camp Pender. The occasion was a
grand one, and will long be remem
bered by every old veteran in attend.
ance.
Tuesday evening the Reservation
was throngod with people, the old Sa-
lem band furnished appropriate mu-
sic, anu stirring speeche, were made
by Hon. c. B. Watson, Rev. w. G.
Wilson, the Chaplain, Col. w. G
Greene and otheis. When the bano
struck up Dixie" cheer after cheer
went up and the entire crowd was en-
thused After the crowd had dispersed
the old soldiers made speeches during
the night, and they all enjoyed them
Wednesday evening Senators Hamp
| ton and Ransom made patriotic
speeches which were SO poirfted ant
remindfal of by gone days as to brins
tears from many an old veteran wht
had fought bravely for the land h
loved. At the close of their remaste
/ Col. Greene and Rev. w. G. -
made some stirring reme>ls. The
| latter gentleman's sdAess was accord
| ed the ablest effo,. made, for he spoke
faelingly an2 Lruthfuily.
| The camp broke Thurs day morning