The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1893-05-03

dream OF anarchy anu nlS1 ol0' O'SAJ
vcstige of political and human foes.
Out of the crush of the old South, we
have reared country Of magnificent
proportions, material prosperity and adj
vancement, and proudly point to her to-
day as the grandest heritage which the
genius of enterprise can present to an en-
lightened people. We do not dishonor
any Confederate flag, that may wave
near us viii h its sacred memories, when
we yield our allegiance to that flag which
courts the peaceful breeze from the
gilded dome of our Capitol. The Ma
tional pride of our country demands,
: and the magnanimous spirit of Southern
chivalry prompts us to honor it; for 1t is
ours; and the patriotic heart OF TINS
American nation throbs with vengeance
when one star upon its silken folds Oe-
comes s0iled or when the hand of des-
potism threatens to strike the word lib
erty fir, m it's face.
4 n y In 1865 wnen the death
out into the valley of the Potomac, and
it's reverberating echoes sank sweetly to
ret beyond the rugged cliff OF the Rio
Grande, we had won then name upon
The brightest pages of history: but the
foot of power, the hand of fate and the
brilliant clash of arms dimmed the star
of our hopes, bright star which repre-
scented and reflected nations glory and
nations political, civil and military
achievements. Our name as nation
has been lost, but the sacred principles
for which we struggled stilllburn like
Promothean fire in the hearts of the
braveSt men who ever drew a sword or
shouldered musket, and of the noblest
women whoever imprinted kiss upon
the departing soldier, smoothed the locks
of bleeding warrior, brushed away the
scalding tear, and taught the bravest
how to die.
Not even the humblest of these would
exchange one tear of that grief stricken
mother, dedicated to the bier of Con-
federate son, for all the crowns and jew
els which tyranny have won by the blood
of it's followers. In vain we unlock the
Archives of the Orien; al cline, where
repose in everlasting security the glo-
ries of Thermopola, in search of hero
ism to equal that which was displayed
by the southern soldiers at Cold HarbOr,
Gettysburg and Manassas. From this
alone the Confederate soldiers living or
dead, deserve these enconiums which
are annually expressed to their memory
upon occasions like this ;Iand the silvery-
tongued orator Of the future could never
raise his voice in more inspiring and
more laudable cause.
lie who wore the insignia of rank,
waved his sword in advance of his col
umn, and gave the command to charge
the death dealing crater, deserves no
more of our flowers and tears today
than those gal liant privates in grey who
followed wherever he dared to lead. 1t
is not Of those who wore the insignia of
rank that the impartial historian will
seek hisIgreatest Inspirations in summing
up the achievements of those who made
the brightest pages of history.
The economy of history has almost
forgotten the confederate privates, yet
the generous verdict of truth will be
written in impershable letters in the f.
nal chapter in the Illiad of southern
chivalry.
If could usurp the inspirations of the
future artist, and wear the chaplet of
the gifted sculptor, would claim the
right to chisel their names upon the
highest pinnacle of fame, not alone be-
cause they were allied to US by education
and association, but because when the
clouds hung like pail over their loved
land, they looked far beyond their pres
ent surroundings at the close Of the war;
because they were the first to philosoph-
ically accept their defeat and look to
brighter days, a whittier, purer and
grander Civilization. Because they were
the first to catch the faint CLEANS twink
ling obscurely in the uncertain glamour of
the future. Because they were the first
to divert the glittering curtain which
overhung the future. Because they were
not afraid to read what the hand of fate
had written thereon.
Because they were men who loved
their land and every legend connected
with it. And the day will come when
magnificent shaft will pierce the blue