Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-12
save in a continued union Of tho

patriotic.
We're the southern soldiers patriotsi
What Is patriotism II il love for country
and home. Did the Confederate soldier
love bis faar Southland? Let the strug:
gles, the sacrifices, the eeony OF blood of
those four years speak for him. Yes, he
staked all for her, sacrificed all, suffered,
bled, and diedfor her.
APATuoT AND pEFENDER OF LIBERTY.
The cause OF southern independence
failed. and In restored Union we now be
lieve that liberty can be preserved. God
moves In a mysterious way His wonders 70
perform" When the fires Of sectional hate
have been wholly extinguished, when the
history Of our struggle has been imparuallyI
written, then the Confederate soldier will
be recognized as patriot and defender
of liberty, and the principles for-whieh he
contended more clearly understood. Then
IL will be known that these men have not
| died in vain.
In the Pantheon Of immortal names their
will be forever inscribed. Why should we
turn TO legends of the past for instances OF
| devotion TO duty, patient endurance OF
suffering, and dauntless courage! where
will we find moro fortitude displayed than
by the men who wore the gray? See them
! on the long and weary march. ragged, bare
| footed, half starved See them fall ex-
hnusted blythe way beneath the scorcbing
rays of the summer sum- See the frosty
| ground now crimson with the blood from
their bleeding feetl
LET THEIR FORMER ENEMIES ANSWER.
Were they brave? Lot their former enc
mics answer the question. See them at
| Manassas and Seven pines, at Sharpsburg
and ChickamaUga az Fredericksburg and
| Shiloh, at Cold Harbor and on other bat
| tfe-felds. Witness their devotion OF the
Bloody Angle" Stand with bated breath
and watch them as with unfiinchinR nerve
1 thew make that heroic charge into the Jaws
| of death at Gettysburg, and then with
pen of fire inscribe for them upon an en-
! during tablet, Bravest of the Brave.
But tho time will not suffice to tell the
story Of their deeds. Sixteen thousand
| Confederate soldiers lie sleeping here.
Every southern State is represented by'
some of their bravest and best loved ones.
| They were killed in 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 TO cherish their memories. II IS
| for us to transmit 10 future generations
| the story of their death-devotlon to duty
| and their heroic deeds. Then let US be
faithful 10 the trust.
THE oAKwooD ASSOCIATION FORMED.
The sounds Of the conflict had scarcely
| died away when this noble band OF women,
| the Oakwood Memorial Association, was
organized TO care for these sacred relics.
| And who arc more fitted for the task than
| the women of the South? True 10 their
| country ia the hour of her peril, they are
still true and faithful TO the memory OF its
heroes. The caring for these graves is
| their piOus work. and the mon OF the
| South should render to them all necessary
assistance. And we have other duties TO
| discharge. Another generation has now
| reached the scene Of human action. IL
should be our work TO instlll into their
minds proper appreciation OF the TONS
and sacrifices of those who have dled' 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 courage.
ABECoRD OF GLORY.
The Confederate soldier! How the
heart of every true southerner beats with
pride at the mention of that name! What
a record of glory does it unroll for MS
The survivors of the conflict are decreas-
| ing daily. Remorseless Time is bearing
them away. The boys of 1851 are the
veterans of to-day. There are some of
these who hobbie through our streets
manned and suffering from wounds. In
| the presence of one ofthese manned heroes
| I ALWAYS feel like uncovering my head IN
recognition of their claims to my graft
| tude. 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 sufferings in cause which was our
cause ever provide for the wants OF the
manned Confederate soldier, tighten his
burden in life, and shield him from po-
verify and want.
TRUE TO THE LIVING; FAITHFUL TO THE DEAD.
Then let us be true 20 the living and
| faithful TO the memory of our dead. we
4 NAV not be able to raise q proud mauso-
! leum upon this spot to mark the place
where sixteen thousand heroes sleep. This
plain granite column may be all that is
material which will endure to tell the
story, but upon ii is inscribed in truthful
| words. THE epitaph of the soldier who
| falls with his country is written IN the
hearts of all who love the right and honor
| the brave"
Here let their epitaphs be written-on
| our hearts-and let it be told to our chill
dren and our children's children that these
were patriots and heroes who deserve all
| the generation which q grateful people
| can bestOw.
"They fell devoted but undyng
| The very gales their names seem signing;
| The waters murmur Of their name,
| The woods are peopled with their fame;
| The silent column, lone and gray,
| Claims kindred with their sacred clay;
Their spirits wrap the dusky mountain,
! Their memory sparkles DER the fountain;
1 The meanest rill, the mightiest river,
| Roll mingling with their fame forever;
They'll be n watchword 20 the earth
| When man would do deed Of worth;
He'll look 20 these and then rush on
| Where life is lost or honor won"
TAPS AND SALUTE,
At the conclusion of Mr.. Richardson's
| address which was frequently interrupted
| by applause, "taps" was blown upon, the
bugle and the ceremonies were closed by
| tha Eirst ragimant firing n Salute.