The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-08-13


X~A pensio one rs-at
Wrightsville has al
~ ready been allud-
~ Es ed to in these col
umns. We publish the following ad-
ditional particulars, lack of space pre-
cluding the possibility of doing 50 last
week:
According to announcement, w. H.
Hamilton, Chairman Disabled Veter-
ans Association, called the Associa-
ton to order, there being present $50
members, and read the report of State
Executive Committee, which was very
satisfactory and which was unanimously
adopted.
The pensioners then organized ac-
cording to congressional districts and
elected officers for each district.
The following was offered by J. ].
Hendrick, and after feeling speeches
by the battle-scarred old soldiers, it
was adopted unanimously:
Recognizing the fact that the SOL
diers of the South surrendered in good
faith, and laid down their implements
of war with all honesty of purpose
therefore, we deplore and condemn
the keeping alive the feeling of enmity
between the two sections, and in this
meeting of the soldiers of the State of
North Carolina, who suffered most,
be it
Resolved, That we appreciate the
fact that the war is over, that peace
is abroad in our land, and that we do
not hold any animosity to the boys who
wore the blue, and that we cordially
invite them to come and share the
goodly heritage of country specially
blessed by the Giver of all good
blessings.
]. T. Skidmore presented the follow
ing resolution:
Whereas, There is to be held in
the city of Raleigh, N. c., during the
months of October and November,
1891, a great exposition of Southern
products, and it has been suggested
to US that i. will be the pleasure Of
the management of tine Exposition
to name several days for a meeting OF
the soldiers of both armies, and as
such meets with our approval; there
fore be it
Resolved, That the chairman ap-
point committee of five on the part
of the disabled veterans of North Car
olina to cooperate with like COM
mittee which has already been ap-
pointed by the Northern Settlers AS
sociation, in making the meeting a
grand success, and we ask that the
last week in October be named as the
date for the reunion.
Adopted animously.
On motion committee of two from
each county in the State was appointed
to visit Raleigh during the session OF
the next General Assembly and petit
ton for an increase in the pension
appropriation.
Gen. Ransom's speech was very
fine effort. We take the Messenger's S
account:
| Senator Ransom said his pleasure
at speaking to the old soldiers who
stood around him knew no bounds
He looked into eyes to-day that he
had seen flash with the fires Of patri-
otism when the deadly bullets were
flying thick and fast and long. The
world honored those who were i'm
molated on the aitars of their country
Whether right or wrong all mankind
admired the patriotism, the valor, the
heroism, the devotion to duty Of the
Confederate soldiers who fell, of thos<
who survived, together in this grand
and glorious reunion.
The South made no war for the
perpetuation Of slavery. Not ten ir
thousand of the Southern soldier!
owned slaves. But they fought fo1
the great principle Of freedom anc
liberty and rights under the constitu
tion. For these the noble veteran:
had made fight which was the even
and wonder of the nineteenth century
as the revolutionary war was the event
of the eighteenth.
We had more to fight for than they
did. They fought in 1876 on accoun
of tax that had been repealed ir
I775.
/ If we had not fought in 1861, bu
had tamely submitted to dishono
and encroachments on the part of tht
North, the world would have had ;
contempt for us, while now we presen
the only instance in the history Of tht
world where an army and people
and been beaten and had enlarged
their liberties and become the recipi
ents of the worlds honor and admir-
alton.
), 1t was a bold fight in the broat
ligh, OF the sun and of day. Ther'
was no concealment, no subterfuge.
! We made a war greater than tina
of Napoleon, Wellington or William
Twas foul calumny to say the Soutl
, fought for slavery. Connecticut,
New England State, had done more t
spread slavery and was more zealou
in guarding it than any Southern State
t Again, he repeated that out Of 600,
: 900 Confederates, not 1000 owne
[ slaves.
!, North Carolina, God bless her, wa
!. always to the fore when duty cailee