The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-08-05
ELOQUENT WORDS.
Speech OF DIR. w. NJ. Grier at the Or
ganizatiOn OF the Survivors, Asso
ciatfOn Aueust g. 1901

Snn1Zat1On Oh the SURVIVORS A8SO.
citation, August 3, 1891.
Fellow Soldiers: A few remarks from many
would be better than many remarks from g
few on an occasion like this. 1t were an OF.
fence to your zeal and Intelligent devotion to
the Contederacy and the cause for which we
struggled 30 heroically TO argue the propriety
OF Confederate Survivors Association. It Il
q cause which needs no advocate. Without @
plea it already finds response in every heart
that we propose to-day was not done twenty
years ago. The name Of the organization in.
dicates its nature and its purposes-.A Con.
name carries with 1t whole volumes OF history
history that needs to be preserved, but II
fast dropping into etfulness-history con.
memories OF those who are fast passing away
from us. The great principles involved In the
war for Southern independence are not far tc
seek. These will ever be near at hand 70 the
student OF history.
These principles may be misstated-they
may be greatly obscured, but they can never
be buried beyond recovery. They are 30 link
ed with other great events and Issues thai
they WIN claim aes %ere or
But how different 1t is with the actual records
Of the war-its battles, great and small, the
advances and the retreats OF It's great armies
the thSussnS Of personal gssnntsy
while these are Interesting and entertaining
while they give charm to narrative. yet af
ter all their only value is TO adorn q tale
This is wholly to misconceive the Importance
Of little things. 1t Is to assume that individ
ual valor goes for nothing in an army. It Ii
TO forget that divisions are made up OF brig
Of companies and Companies Of A. B, Q. D. Il
is after all the particular letters Of the alpha
bet that give to US all the stores Of literature
in history, poetry and philosophy:
It was John Paulding, David Williams and
American colonies in the capture OF Major
Andre. It is not Incredible that in our late
struggle decisive Issues turned upon the cour
age, the promptness, the endurance, the STRAIT
company, and it is just as probable that there
has been no recognition OF merit so conspiou
ous. But even II no such important and es
sential service 10 history Is rendered In such
organization there Is the brotherhood Of 6
and common experiences. These constitute 6
reason abundantly sufficient for what is pro
posed this day.
But there is reason, TO my mind, far NOR,
tion-the obligation to the dead. It was 6
custom Of the ancient Egyptians to put 8
man on trial after death. The public accusel
was heard, and he proved that the deceased
had led bad life then he was denied the hon
ors Of sepulture.
Our dead have been on trial for a quarter o
century. The public accuser has been hearc
In the newspaper, the magazine, in schoo
Sas On his oarpes @ I eyer2
channel OF public communication. It is lait
upon us who survive to maintain the cause o
those who can no longer speak for them
selves. This need not foster spirit Of bite
seotionalIsm. It need not engender hate anc
malice. Calm, earnest, dignified advocacy o
the truth, fixed resolution that the grea
facts Of this struggle shall not be perverted
and that the motives Of the Southern soldier
shall not be impugned without challenge
All this Is perfectly consistent with a broad
national patriotism.
This organization. then, has its place for tn.
living and its necessity for the dead. Small
1t may be, but IL is one of hundreds OF other
leagued together In the interests OF humani
ty; our own social advancement and the su
preme and final verdict OF truth.