The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-07-14
MR. KENNEDY's GRAFTON.

The following Grafton was delivere,
by Mr.. j. NJ. Kennedy, Jr.. on III
night of the 4th inst, on receiving tn
flag presented by the young ladies t
the Military Company Mr.. Kennel,
being unwell, was unable to deliver tn
entire speech, SO we publish it tina
those who were present may get TIN
benefit of it rs whole
Ladies and gentlemen. kind friends an,
fellow citizens, and officers and mem
beers of the East Carroll Guards
In response TO the command laiG
upon me by my honored and respected
captain, am here to-day to perform &
duty which has for me no distastefu
elements. The idea of duty carries
with it a somsthing subsequent, fol.
| lowing after, (which measures and
determines its character. We always
associate with it its consequent reward
or punishment. But as the fear oil
punishment is a stronger incentive
than the hope of reward, we naturally
look upon duty as involving elements
of harshness. But to-day the pleasure
which feel in being amongst you, in
seeing around me SO many beautiful
faces of pure women, and so many
noble cOnntenances of brave men, in
knowing that | am in the midst of
friends, in the midst OF people than
which earth bears upon her beautiful
r Qf.Q
say, the pleasure which feel in being
so situated quite dcprives this task of
its disagreeable aspects, and makes it
appear harmonious. according, con-
genial, a most acceptable aud desirable
privilege. 1t is even more than a
privilege; it is an honor. 1t is an
honor for which desire 10 express to
you, fellow guards, aud to you, our
beloved Captain, my most grateful
obligations, my most sincere thanks.
But sire, regret, when l consider
my own inability, and unfitness, and
decided unworthiness to perform
duty 80 gallant, and to be invested
with an honor SO high, l cannot but
regret, that you. had not chosen a
better man, one qualified to do
thorough justice to the judgment
which prompted your selection; an
orator. whose silver tongue should
pour forth in strains of liquid elo-
quence. sparkling with words of wit
aud beauty, and swelling with high
and lofty sentiments a tribute of
praise 10 you, fair daughters, and to
you, brave sons OF the brave mon
"who taught in cause though lost,
still just, and died for you and me.
But though your choice has fallen
upon one less worthy and less compe-
tent he is none the less determined to
do the best he can, trusting to merit,
at least, your praise for faithful per-
Torrance of duty.
To you as mothers, wives, and
and to you as fathers,
brothers, and sons of the men of the
l might speak to-day of
those four long bitter years of strife,
and blood-shed. aud woe and sorrow,
and desolation in which the "South
bore the blood-red battle flag aloft in
so many desperate encounters;
might recite TO you the heroic deed of
your fathers, husbands, sons, and
brothers,; might speak of "Lee, the
old Roman fighting with nerve so
splendid to the bitter end )" of grand
immortal Stonewall jackson, whom,
in the eloquent words of Vending,
that the Union might be allowed to
fulfill the destiny that he had decreed
for it, God reached out aud took , |
might tell yon of Longstreet and Hill,
and Hampton. and Ewell; | might go
through the whole glorious catalogue
Of the Souih's immortal leaders; l
could remind you of Chickahominy,
Malvern Hill, Manassas, Fredericks-
burg, Chancellorsville-of Gettysburg,
5pot,sylvania, and Petersburg, and
hat sad sequel, Appomattox. But
Why do this? Our heroes are laid to |
est "under the sod and the dew wait
ng the augment day." Shall we dis
nrb their ashes? No!
Rest on embalmed and sainted deadl
Dear as the blood you gave;
70 impious footsteps here shall tread
The heritage of your grave.
1or shall your glory be forgot
While fame her record keeps.
Or honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps"
You marble MINISTRIES voiceless tone
In deathless songs shall tell,
hen many vanquish'd age hath flown.
The story how we fell.
Tor wreck, nor change, or winters blight,
Nor times remorseless doom.
hall dim one ray of holy light
That guilds your glorious tomb
Such is their destiny and we bow in
neck submission to the God ofbattles
those inscrutable will it was that the
ouih should accomplish its mission
'ithin the pale of the union.
And she has accepted the situation
nd now is part aud parcel of that
MON, which one hundred. and
ighteen years ago to-day, had its
firth. Thirteen states, with -scant
opulations, and undeveloped re-
,urces in the twilight depths of
hose forests the wild beasts and the
ed man roamed at will, formed the
ucleus of this mighty republic which
ow stretches from sea TO sea, whose
eople are numbered by millions, ,,
hose material resources might supply
he world, and whose power and