The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-02-06
HENDERSON, N. G, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6. 1890

indeed and more than that, for would
not an angel desire to have that sweet
fountain of human tenderness and sym
pathy that springs up in every true
woman's breast. Yes. Our women
are the reason why our Southern land
is the land of chivalry, and may South
ern men be always richly endowed
with it, and prize it as their highest
quality.
And now, Mr.. President, ought not
our Confederate dead be remembered
Ought not the State year by year
gather her living children around the
graves of her dead, and consecrate
their memories to immortal gratitude {
She will remember them. She will
speak of them, all through the coming
years, not in whispers, as if they were
rebelious children who brought her to
shame and dishonor, but she will de-
clare in tones of triumph her undying
love and gratitude to her dead heroes
who died that she might have better
life, and point to their graves as
sources of inspiration for future sons.
And for us individually, are there
some of those graves, quiet resting
places in the broad bosom of this sun
ny Southern land, those little mounds,
it may be, unknown and unmarked,
softly wearing away under the sun and
under the stars that keep alive in us
some noble impulse-patriotism or de-
votion to duty, and make death toe
dear to be feared? Call you that
death in vain?
Ought not also the living to be re-
membered? They are scarcely less
dear to the State. The time is get.
ting short in which they can be made
to feel this, for twenty-five years have
passed since the war. Many brave
spirit has gone to join its comrades
and without the comfort of knowing
that anything in recognition of its ser
vices would be done. The ranks are
thinning year by year, and before
many years roll by, the last hero o
them all will be gathered into the vas
treasury of the past, which time ha
been filling these six thousand years
The record of the war will soon b.
sealed. Let US do good while we have
time.
Many of them are too proud to re
ceive any help but the gratitude o
their country. Let us pay that witt
an overhowing heart. These men me
disaster with resignation, and took VI
the dull routine of business withou
money, with broken fortunes, and bro
ken hearts and hopes.
Let US not forget them. Let US re
member that beneath the common
clothes beats heart that Kings Nigh
proudly own, but now crushed unde
the load of daily cares and anxietie:
But there is another class OF thes
same men, who have gone down int
the bitter depths of poverty. Oh
who can tell the sorrows that cluste
around that word! These are til
men we can help in what the man
1the world calls a sensible way. L'
us provide Soldiers Home for then
Let it be free offering of our hear
in gratitude, which they can honor:
bly, receive as Soldiers due-a pr
lection for him in return for prote'
ton to us. Let no suggestion of Il
poor house or shadow of alms-givir
touch this gift-to kill it with
blighting name.
Mr.. President, we hear of the Ne
South. Whether that is the rig
name or not, brighter day is opel
, ing on us. The South is blessed
, nature in climate, soil and other ma
ural advantages, and capital, that gre
lever that moves the financial worl
is moving Southwark. But above ;
she has the men-men of the san
:, blood we have been speaking ofto-da
and like their sires they will not dow
, but will stand in the foremost ranl
She is already felt in the councils
the Government and will take lea
ing place in the future as she. did
, the past before the war. What t
world calls the shadow of the apI
: tree at Appomattox, will have lift
from the prospect which the futr
promises. Our State must and "
rise and by men of the same bio
= that war SO lavishly sacrificed in va
Mr.. President, there is presen
:. among us to day to which we must
a honor.
1t is a mysterious, wonderful pr
ss ence-not of ordinary life, nor yet
death. 1t is the presence of what II
! banner stands for-the spirit of de
;, nation. Is it not an awe inspiri
q sight in all its meaning? 1t was or
, the emblem Of the hopes of millio
i "Once ten thousand wildly, mat
E swore it would forever wave"
e Our banner has trod as many 70:
, to glory, as any that ever floated
"a any land, and this tattered fragmt
&c that you see before you was among
- foremost aud most glorious of all,
g the hands of its heroic bearer. w
# a history was worked out by this fa'
standard. Now its work is done
$, good and faithful soldier.
.sFurl that banner, for tits weary,
- Round its staff, it's dropping dreary
e Furl it, fold it, let it rest"
e Let il rest from toll, from war, fr
d victory and from the SORROWS OF
o death OF its hopes, in peace. Let
y rest blessed memory.
1t is furled and put away forever
l. over its land floats in proud triuu
n the star-sprangle banner. While
], look upon that banner as the sym
n ofa kindred and reunited country,
.