The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-08

should be her everlasting portion. But,
again rejoice that tho time has come
when the fame Of the Southern soldier
is cherished as the common heritage Of
our common country by brave men and
courageous women everywhere, at the
North as we'll as at the South. / rejoice
that the time has come when we can in
truth and in patriotic love, clasp hands
across the bloody chasm, and North
and South can and do unite in paying
homage to the memory Of our heroic
dead Of both armies"
Touching and eloquently the orator
spoke OF the Confederetes buried In the
Salem Cemetery and concluded his
superb effort In this peroration: "And
as we gather about their graves to-day
to cover them over with beautiful
flowers let the prayer Of each heart be
that In the morning Of the resurrection,
when the sun Of righteousness shall
come in the East and all these shall
rise robed in white to meet its beams,
the first sight upon which their risen
eyes shall fall may be the angelic faces
OF comrades and brave men all around
them, who. though they may have been
divided in their Views of duty, we're
never divided in their love for each
other, for their country and their God
Amidst much applause Mr.. Pugh took
his seat and after o selection by the
band Capt. Griffin felicitously intro
duced Hon. G B. Fitzgerald, ex member
OF the Legislature for Roanoke county,
and past grand Of Salem Lodge No. 100.
Mr.. Fitzgerald opened his speech by an
apt allusion to the mortality of man,
which he assured his hearers, was q
lesson repeatedly taught by the Odd
FELLOWS. lie then, in systematic man.
ner told OF the workings Of Odd Fellow.
ship, it's teachings and practices, its hui
manity, fraternity and general tendency
to elevate mankind. He took pains to
controvert the statements of those mis-
chlevous people who charge that Odd
Fellowship Ia not friend to the church
and endeavors to usurp the powers of
government.
Brother Fitzgerald spoke as one hav-
Ing authority, being the Oldest member
OF Salem Lodge, having joined 1t some
forty odd years ago, and 1t Is doubtful IL
Odd Fellowship has ever been more
exclusively discussed in this section
than on this occasion. Not only did his
speech make the brethren present more
proud than ever OF their glorious order,
but 1T is certain that It caused many
outsiders to think more about this
"systematized organization OF CHARITY"
as the speaker termed It., and It would
not be surprise If many new applica-
tions for membership are made in the
next few weeks. Mr. Fitzgerald closed
In pathetic allusion to his own weight
OF years, and was warmly applauded.
After these speeches the Jeff Davis
Rifles marched to the graves of the
soldiers buried on the hillside of the
cemetery and there fired three volleys
as salute, after which the graves were
covered with flowers by members of
Watts Camp, by the ladies and by
many citizens. A short time was then
spent iu walking through the grounds
OF this beautiful cemetery and decorat-
Ing many other graves. This done the
procession reformed and marched back
to the courthouse, where it was disa
missed. everyone prsising the commit
tee and officers for the successful man
ner In which the ceremonies had been
carried out.