The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-06-12
Confederate Memorial Day.

was beautiful, bright morning. The
main streets of the city were literally
decorated with bunting and the Stars
and Stripes Even the soul of old man
4 Shepard, of the Mail and ErpresS,
would have been satisfied with this fea-
ture, for not single Confederate flag of
any kind was displayed on the streets
In front of our stores were pictures of
Generals Lee and Jacksonville only
things to remind us of the war. The
Stonewall Band led the procession, which
moved from the corner of Beverly and
New streets at II o'clock, under the di-
rection of Col. J. G. Shields, as Chief
Marshall, assisted by Capt. James Bum
gardner, Capt. E. A. Fulcher, Samuel F.
Carson, J. w. Bryant, j. L. Bumgard-
ner, M. NJ. Robinson, P. E. Wilson, David
Drake, Capt. J. H. Walters, Chief of
Police, riding in front. A large crowd
on foot and in carriages followed to the
cemetery. There was unfortunately no
organized procession. The large num-
Der present would have made fine dis
play. In carriages were John N. Opie,
Esq, President of the Association Col.
J. d. Lilley, w. L. Olivier and J. N. Nc
! Farland. The second carriage was oc-
cupied by representatives of the clergy
Rev. Dallas Tucker, Charleston, W. Va;
Rev. DR.. s. X. Cox, of Harrisonburg
Rev. Mr.. Thomas, Martinsburg, W. Va,
and Rev. d. j. Williams. AS the band en-
tered the cemetery gate they played the
solemn strains of funeral dirge. At
the stand the band played several airs.
The ceremonies were announced by Col.
Shields, Chief Marshal, and were opened
with prayer by Rev. d. j. Williams, of
the Methodist church, followed by a
patriotic address by Capt. j. N Opie
Capt. Opie said there was no disloyalty
in the services of the day. We had as
sembled to commemorate the memories
of those who fought and fell for cause
they believed to be right That the
ranting of demagOgues could never tar
nish the fame which had gained the ad-
| miration of the world nor diminish the
love of those for whom they gave up
their lives. That the children's children
of Confederate veterans would keep
alive the memories of their noble Deeds
and as the years rolled by the memorial
celebrations would be kept up by those
who would be taught by their fathers
and mothers to love and admire the
worthy deeds of those who sleep in Con-
federate cemeteries of the South.
Capt. Opic introduced Rev. Dr. S. K.
Cox, of Harrisonburg, who was passing
through Staunton, and had consented to
fill the place left vacant by the failure of
the committee to secure an orator for
the day. DIR. Cox is an old veteran, hav-
ing served through the.war as chaplain.
He is a pleasant and forceful speaker,
and his address, which was entirely with
out preparation, was a perfect gem. He
said. We have met to pay the tribute Of
our love and admiration to our dead sol
dIers and to place our floral offerings
upon the graves of our dear loved ones.
There was no bitterness in this demon
stration-we have met to honor the
memory of men who, with honest con-
victions, sacrificed everything for cause
they believed to be right Their cause
was lost, as determined by the fatal re-
suits; but the principles of that cause
would be cherished as right to the end
Of time. He had seen the third Alabama
regiment go out to war, filled with the
young manhood of the State, and return
with less than one third their numbers,
and tattered and bullet-torn flags. Yes,
the young manhood of our dear South
land of that generation lies beneath the
sod of the Confederate cemeteries
throughout the South, but the memory
of their noble and heroic deeds will
never die.
At the conclusion of DR.. Cox's addre SIS
the people dispersed and returned to the
city.
The Memorial Association held it's an
nual meeting in the council chamber at
1 O'Clock. 1t was called to order by
Capt. John N. Opie, President. The
following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: President. t. D. Ransom
Vice Presidents, J. N. Opie, j. w. Bry-
ant, ID. W. Drake, J. M. Brown, E. A.
Fulcher, Col. j. G. Shields and Col.
Samuel H. McCue; Executive Commit
tee, Col. J. d, Lilley, s. F. Carson. J. N.
Hamilton. Newton Argenbright was
reelected Secretary, and f. b. Berkeley
reelected Treasurer.
Capt. Bumgardner offered a resolution
to appoint a committee to take the
necessary steps to have the charter of
the Association made perpetual and to
include in its membership the widows
and orphans of deceased soldiers, that
the Association may never die. Capt.
Bumgardner was SO moved in speaking
of the widows and orphans of his de-
ceased comrades, that it was with diff
Guilty he continued his remarks.
Capt. B. said that he had lately been
in Lafayette, Indiana, a .city of 1000
people, located in county which gave
Republican majority of 1000 There in
that city on National decoration day,
and while walking in his hotel, stran-
ger, holding high rank in the G. A. r.
whom he had never seen before, came to
him, and shaking his hand, said he I'M
derstoOd he was Confederate veteran
soldier-that as such he was entitled to
a front seat at their celebration He
went with the unknown Federal and oe-
cupied front seat. The g. A. r. man
said that the true. brave soldier was en-
titled to recognition everywhere; that
a Confederate soldier who had done his
duty was recognized as one of natures
nOblemen. During the celebration, the
Adjutant of the q. A. r. of that section
had read a general order, in which were
beautifully blended the dying words of
Stonewall jackson and words from
O'Hara's Bivouac of the Dead.
Cant, Bumgardner, Capt. Z. A. Fulcher
and Col. s. H. McCue were appointed a
committee to carry out the resolution.
On motion of Col. Lilley, Memorial
Day was changed from the 9th of June
to the 4th Friday in Nav.
On motion of w. L. Olivier, the Exc
cntive Committee was authorized to
have water pipe laid to the base of the
monument mound.
The thanks of the Association were
returned to Capt. Opie, the retiring
President to DR.. Cox for his address !:
the ladies for flowers; to r. J. Crowder
and A. G. Gordon for decorations. and
the band for music.
The receipts at the gate were 1915,