The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-30
ruEUNvEIL,N Ma or OUR MONUMENT

The best thought Of man has ever said
tits sweet to die for ones own country
And what has this meant? 1t Is not
that IL is a 10Y TO any one to die. Tor
all of us had rather linger here TO wit
ness the yerdure of spring and summer
and enjoy the love of those who are dear.
II means that there Is something In the
human heart that rises above the rear
of death and that sets the joys OF lie on
one side when choice must be MADE
That something is the priceless heritage
of a free-born man to do as he VIII
whilst Just to others, and to have his
own hearth-stone. around which his chill
dren may sport before his eyes.
We dedicate to-day in this lovely city
of ours, monument 10 thousands OF
our country men who willingly went down
10 the grave rather than surrender that
something, and who. when yielding their
lives up as a buiwark for their own FIRE
sides. were equally protecting ours as
they best knew how. They did their
best, with a might which has been given
to no other men. and We. their fellows
and followers, may proudly look upon
the shaft which we boldly present TO
the world to-day as mutely speaking
their triumphant death cry. duice ct de-
corum est pro patria mort.
But this is not alone a monument to
those who died for their country. II is
a monument to the private soldiers and
sailors who died for their country.
The death that comes 10 the officer,
who has honors and looks for emolu-
ments as the reward for periling his
life. may be glorious. and may also mark
the victim as worthy OF the civic crown,
but the private soldier OF the Confederate
army fought without hope of reward.
endured with no compensation but pain
slept with the snow for his blanket,
walked on ice without shoes, Thought
himself lucky to get half rations, yet
endured 1t all without a murmur through
four years--so long that they seemed
without end.
And this was not all. Whilst ne barred
his breast to the enemy's fire, and lifted
up his head to the pitiless storms or
fate. the chords that wound around his
heart were being tugged at by the con-
seriousness that In accomplishing silence
wives. children. mothers and sisters were
starving at home. But the private soldier
OF the Confederate army stood UP, never
theiess. In his place In ranks, and.
suppressing every feeling but his duty
a. soldier. dcfiantly faced his enemy
so long as his commander ordered him
to give and take fire. More heroic and
unfaitering devotion to duty God has not
permitted men to see elsewhere on this
earth In any age. Matchless exemplar
hao oil III
for naught? Can 1t be the win of AL.
mighty God that so much trust In him
shall bear no fruit?
His VIII hath otherwise. SO far, ALWAYS
been. and his word teaches us that the
same will be true hereafter. The cause
for which the private soldier died will
no more be known by the name of "seces-
sion." but 1t can never perish from tho
face OF the earth. He fought for tba
right OF freemen to rule themselves and
he willingly died before he would sur-
render that right. Whilst men resnec,
themselves and are respected by others
this cause must ever survive In the I'm.
man heart. Accumulated stores OF money
unfairly hlched from an equal partner
ship enabled his enemy to hire millions
OF foreign mercenaries who crushed the
private soldier OF the Confederate States
beneath a mass OF weight alone. But tho
torch which lighted the way Of the Con-
federate soldier who persisted thirty years
ago Is aifame In the bosom of all who
survived or have followed him, and
while they or their descendants love
home. fresides and country, that torch
will forever burn. He did not die in vain.
His cause has not persisted from the
earth. II is this day alive ana Will en-
dure forever.
IL Is well, too. that those for whom
the private soldier and sailor died should
rear this monumental shaft TO comment
crate the unfadlng sp.endor of his great
deeds. History and tradition will keep
tAem ever fresh in the memory of those
who shall hereafter dwell in that soldiers
home. Children will lisp how Picketts
men charged at Gettysburg. and the bal
lads Of the land will perpetuate the tradi-
tons OF Stuarts rides. But this shaft
openly proclaams TO the civilized word
that there In no shame or regret here
for what these dead men did. II stands
for their brothers exsiting shout OF tri-
umph. for there 10 greater glory In dyins
xoB hat which V right than IN living