Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-06-18
mFlIORIAL Day

In Charlestown was rendered pleasant by cool
breezes and clouds enough 10 temper the other
wise hot rays of the sun. The crowd assem-
bled at Edge Hill Cemetery testified that our
people in town and country, old and young
are as eager to show remembrance OF The He
roic Dead as in the first sad years after they
were laid to rest After visiting the Metho-
dist and Episcopal grayeyards the procession
Of the Jefferson Guards, Capt. Z. 4.
Baylor. preceded by the Charlestown Cornet
Band. and our well-uniformed Fire Compa-
mics. !. c. Holmes and j. W. Russell, Captains
respectively, and veterans, guests and citizens
the whole under the command of Col Geo
A. Porterfeld, veteran Of two wars-eneir-
cled the stand erected opposite the shaft that
keeps guard over our Boys in Grey, and, after
music by the band. and hymn by the choir
under the direction of Madame Ruhl, and a
PRAYER BY Rev. Dr. ]. 5. Gardner, listened toan
address from the Hon. VIM. L. Wilson, who
was called, on short notice, to take the place
of his friend and fellow congressman. Hon.
VIM. c. Oates of Alabama, by Rev. DR.. Hop
kins. President of the Lee Memorial Associa-
ton. Much practice has made Mr.. Wilson
at home before an audience, and the occasion
brought out his warmest expressions Of regard
for the day and the Dead. In words that sank
into all our hearts he talked Of those who fell,
and Of those who lived TO bear the heavier bur
den of life under defeat-the living having
proved themselves worthy of the noble dead.
As some unexpected delay prevented Col
Oates from getting to the ground in time to fill
his appointment Mr.. Wilson announced that
the distinguished gentleman would speak
in the courthouse at night.
Col. Oates is one Of those who were first, IN
Mr.. Wilson's words, TO take a place in the
halls of CongreSs-sent and maintained there
by people influenced by worth as distin-
guished from baser considerations. In appear
ance he is of manly stature, intellectual and
handsome face, and sprinkling Of frost in his
hair. The sleeve that hangs eu:pty on his
right is eloquent of the sacrifice he made TO has
cOuntrys cause.
Introduced in complimentary terms by Mr..
Wilson, he repudiated the character of orator
that his erudite friend and colleague bestowed
and entered upon review Of the war, its eau
ses and Justification. He claimed that
the South was right that it had the right tC
secede: that it was not conquered-simply
overwhelmed by numbers-but the result be
ing what it is, they accept the issue and hold
ing in good faith to the country adopt the sen
timent of Daniel Webster, Liberty and GHiGE
one and inseparable, now and forever
He spoke Of the probable consequences Of
success Of the Confederacy. Perhaps it was
better that the Southern cause was lost. There
was. looking back reason TO believe that the
new government held, in its own doctrine
the seeds of disintegration; as We had the right
TO separate from the North, so had each State
the same right to seosde or any and every
ground. Again, if there had bsep some nat
ural line of division between South ana North
if the Mississippi had run east and west in
stead of cutting the South in two-we might
have formed two great nations, living at peace,
but as it was, great standing armies and repeat
ed struggles must have told the same story as
often found in the history of European ma
tons. and of England and Scotland until their
union. With an eloquent and touching trib-
ute to the soldiers who lie with their backs
to the field and their feet TO the foe, bringing
the moisture to ewes unused to weep Col. Oates
came all too soon TO the end of an address not
soon to be forgotten by those so happy as to
hear.