The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1891-01-03
ADDRESS OF THOMAS J. PORTIS,
OF ST. LOUIS,
ON the Confederate Home of Mis-
souri,,


OF ST. LOUIS,
the Confederate Home of Mis-
souri,,
Delivered at the reception TO the vice
presidents of the Ex-COnlederate Assoc
citation of Missouri, at The Pickwick
Theater, st. Louis, Nov. Is, 1890:
Several years ago the question OF
establishing a home in Missouri for
such confederate soldiers, their widows
and children, as might need assistance,
was suggested at an annual reunion of
the confederate soldiers OF the state.
Though meeting with little encourage
ment from any source, and some actual
opposition from some, the friends OF lie
enterprise did not despair OF ultimate
success.
Year after year, al the annual re-
unions, and on all other occasions
which presented themselves, the matter
was brought to the notice of all who
would listen, until, at last, it began TO
attract some attention, and finally we
have succeeded in arousing the public
TO the importance of this subject.
1t Is not necessary 10 state that many
OF the most worthy men still living and
widows and orphans of those long since
dead, not only need, but must have
assistance from some source.
Those of us who have given much
thought and some labor to this matter
have, to the best OF our ability, tried TO
formulate a plan by which t. accom-
| pIisb the desired result in the most
amo;ant aud aoonasnicol nonnan
We have had for our partial guidance
the actions of several OF the other
southern states, in which similar 10Y
ments have been more or less success
ful.
Some of the states, through their
legislatures, have taken the matter in
hand, and have done nObly. My own
native state, Alabama, appropriated
for such purpose, at its last session,
$50, 900. Other states have appro.
priated different Gums at different
times, to aid In maintaining homes
which have been established by priv
ate contributions.
We have undertaken in Missouri 10
raise, by voluntary contributions,
enough money TO start such a home
as will meet present demands, and
with DON enough TO be increased as
the demands increase. About S1S ,000
have already been subscribed, and we
want, at least. CSC, 900 to begin with.
We hope TO receive a donation from
some source of 500 to 1000 acres OF
suitable land In the country (uot in a
city,, conveniently located, o: some
other quantity of land which will an
swer the purpose. If we are SO for
tunate as to thus cur the land, and
to raise the $50, 900, we will be in a
condition TO proceed at once.
Then the question of method or plan
to be adopted will arise. We have q
regularly incorporated company, with
charter and by laws, a board OF direc
tors, officers, ETC., al accordance with
the laws OF Missouri. The corporation
was first organized by citizens of st.
Louis only, mainly because we could
not get men in the country TO act. But,
subsequently,, it was deemed best to
change the organization, by substitu-
ting the president ana vice presidents
of The State ex. Confederate Association
az directors and officer, for the persons
who resided In st. Louis. By that
means we placed the home affairs and
tuCit hduokCunCh III nv uoutiS va uiCk
from all parts of the state, as one vice.
president of the state association live'
In each congressional district of the
state, and thus we did away with al
fear that we wanted to establish thu
home in this city. Capt. Jas. Banner
man, OF st. Louis, is president of th,
state association, and also of the home
association, and each vice-president ol
The state association is also a director
of the home association, and a repre-
sentative man of his congressional dis
trict.
These directors are TO hold a meeting
in this city tomorrow, to receive and
consider such propositions as may be
presented to them, tor a location of the
home, and the location Offering the
most advantageous terms, etc., will b,
likely to receive the most favorable
consideration.
AS I understand il, the board O.
directors are to meet tomorrow at TIT
rooms of the st. Louis association, No
1000 Lucas Place, to receive and con.
slider such propositions for the Location
of the home as may be presented.
We indulge the hope that severa
liberal propositions will be presented
and that the directors will take promp
action to secure final action on III,
selection of a permanent location. Thar
done, we will be in a much bette
position to solicit subscriptions TO in
crease the amount already secured TO
sum sufficient to enable the association
TO begin active operations IN carryin.
ont the objects of the association.
Ii was thought necessary TO hayl
this much stated at the beginning q
this meeting, To the end that all win
feel an interest III the uuderta, -,
might have u better understanding q
its purposes and objects, as well AZ i,
( present status and the propose
methods az procedure.
Ii has been asked bv some, If we COZ,
tribute money, how do we knuv thu
n home will be established, aH.! lha
our money will be used as proposed
To such questions my answer won,
be, make your subscriptions to be pal,
T.. when the home has been located an,
the grounds secured.
Ii that il not done, we do moi wan
your money. There would be no us
Tor il.
Again, 1t has been asked, suppos
you get the home located and esimI,
lished as proposed, how eau il be keI
up?
Where will the funds to keep it goiu
he obtained, after the amount original
raised is exhausted?
This, OF course is a harder questiO
TO answer. But, my answer would bt
1t 10 not only true that sufficient unit
the day 10 the evil thereof-but The 900
too.
Ifeel sure that such a good and bene(