The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-12

doub. believed that liberty could not be pre-.
| served upon this western conunent Sa'0
continued union of the Ste,eS -. believe
that liberty could DO preserved 10 the o Ia a.
Both fought for constitutions hpeI'ydi, ssrent
IL often the case both strove py Vi. and
means 10 accom- plish the same result "AN
they were equally patriotic.
SOUTHERN SOLDIERS.
Wsre the Southern soldiers patriotsl mna'
ia patriotism? II is love for coun, sn lie fa;r
Did the Confederate solder ioso s.nr;6ces
Southland? Lot the str1 hso fou n wears speak
Cor him Yes he staked all for her. sacfinceu
ali suffered. bled, and died for her. s.;,od
nj Tba canse of Southern Independence faiieu,
md in restored Union we now believe tnat
liberty can be preserved. uoo moves III
mysterious way his WONDERS 10 pel.0thn - a,
W. tho fires of sectional hate have Deen
rrhoIiv srtin9uished. when the history or our
.,rnggle has been impartially written, tnen tne
Gon7sderate soldier will be recognized as
natriot and a defender OF liberty; ana .ne
principles for which he contendeu liz,
clearly understood. Then II wlil Oe An0""
tbat these men have not died IN vain
In the pantheon of immortal names theirs
iii he forever inscribed. Why should We
turn 10 legends of tho past for instances ~
davotion 10 duty. patient endurance OF suheI-
inc and dsuntlees courage! where WIZ 10
find more forttude displayed than py ~. no
men who wore the gray See them on .no
long and weary march, ragged, bare-ioo1eu'
half starved. Zee them fall exhausted by the
wav beneath the soorching rays OF the sull-
roer ann See the frosty ground, now Gill;
son with blood from their bleeding Iee1'
THEIR BRAVERY.
We're they brave? Let their former enemies
erswer the ouestion See them at Manassas
and Seven Pines. at Sharpsburg and GhicKa.
manga, at Fredericksburg ana Snllon ,,: a.
Cold Harbor and on other battle-helds; VIII,
ness their devotion at the bloooy hnge.
with unhinching nerve they make that heroic
CHARGE in the laws of death at Gettysburg.
and then with a pen Of fire inscribe for them
upon an enduring tablet: Bravest OF the brave.
Rut the time will not suffice TO tell the story
of their deeds. Sixteen thousand Confederate
soIJ;ers lie sleeping here Every Southern
state is represented by some Of their 6rayest
and best loved ones. They were killed III
battle. died from wounds, or from diseases
contracted in the army
They died for us II is our duty to, guard
their sacred dust. II is our sweet privilege 10
cherish their memories. 1t IS for us 10 trans
NIT 10 future generations the story OF their
death-devotion TO duty and their heroic deeds
Then let us be faithful TO the trust. :. j.,
The sounds Of the conflict had SCARCELY dled
awav when this noble band of women. the
lakewood Memorial Association, was organ
lied to care for these sacred relics And VINO
are more fittSd for the task than the women
of the South? True to their country in the
hour of peril, they are still true and faithful
TO the memory of it's heroes The caring
for these graves is their pious Work, and
the men of the South should render
10 them all necessary assistance. And we have
other duties to discharge. Another genera
- Il e1nu onF HIM ~ q
ton. II should be our work to lnstlll
into their minds proper appreciation or the
tolls and sacrifices of those who have died, so
that they may take up the work when these
have passed away Then let us not only
guard these graves, but transmit to future
generations the story of their dauntless cour-
age.
The Confederate soldier, How the heart of
every true Southerner beats with pride at the
mention of that name. What record OF
glory does it unroll for us.
SURVIVORS DECREASING.
The survivors of the conflict are decreasing
daily. Remorseless time is bearing them
away. The boys Of 1861 are the veterans of
to-day. There are some Of these who hoobe
through our streets, MANNED and suffering
from wounds In the presence Of one OF these
manned heroes always feel like uncOvering
nv head in recognition of their claims TO my
gratitude. and God forbid that the day shall
ever come in this. our beloved State, when
the claims of these shall not be recognized.
May our people in grateful appreciation of
their suferings In q cause which was our
cause, ever provide FOR the wants Of the
manned Confederate soldier and tighten his
burden in life and shield him from poverty
and want.
Then let us be true to the living and faith
full 10 the memory Of our dead. We may not
be able TO raEse proud mausoleum upon tins
spot TO mark the place where sixteen thous-
NAV be all that is material which will endure
70 tell the story, but upon 1t IS inscribed IN
truthful words:
The eptaph Of the soldier who falls with
his country is written in the hearts of all who
love the right and homer the brave"
Here let their epitaphs be written on our
hearts. and let It be told to our children and
our children's children that these were pa
trigs and heroes who deserve all the yenera-
ton which graceful people can bestow.
They fell devoted but undyinR.
The very gales their names seem signing;
The waters murmur Of their name.
The woods arc peoped with their fame;
The silent column lone and gray.
Claims kindred with their sacred clay;
Their spirits wTap the dusty mountain,
Their memory spsrkloc DER the fountain;
The meAnest mi, the mtghtIest river
Roll mir Cling with their fame forever:
They'll be a watehword to the earth
When man would do deed Of worth,
He II look at these. and thon rush on
Where life is lost or honor won"
At the close of the Grafton the bugler Of the
regiment taps" and the regiment fire the
usual volley, thereby bringing the ceremonies
to an end.