The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-05-15
MEMORIAL DAY IN ANDERSON.

grateful Southern people have set apart
as sacred to the memory of the Confed-
crate dead, when true and loyal men and
women may. with concerted emphasis,
show homage and fidelity to lofty princi-
pie, and do honor and reverence to the
South's most gallant heroes.
The day was most fittingly observed in
Anderson. The Opera House was the
scene of memorial meeting, at once
deeply touching and highly entertaining
Under tho auspices Of the Ladies' Me-
mortal Association, programme replete
with interest aud attractiveness, was pre-
sented to gathering Of impressive and
most gratifying proportions. In the
assembled audience, appreciative men
and sympathetic women, veterans Of
many winters and youths of tender years,
were met together with common pur-
pose to appland the deeds and revive the
memory of those who foil in defense of
the south's most cherished right.
The remarks of the speakers Of the
occasion were eloquent and patriotic,
arousing sad sympathy and genuine
enthusiasm. The music Of many of the
city's fairest and most devoted women
delighted the audience with its pleasing
sweetness or moved their hearts with its
pathetic tenderness.
Altogether, the exercises of the day
we're an unqualified success, and entitle
Miss Lenora c. Hubbard, President, Mrs.
J. M. Patrick and other members Of the
Ladies' Memorial Association, who were
responsible for the conception and execu-
ton Of the programme, to the thanks OF
all who sympathize with the object Of the
days observance.
The seating capacity of the house was
| not nearly sufficient to accommodate the
large numbers of persons who sought
admittance. Considerable applause was
bestowed upon nearly hundred old
| veterans, members, in the main, Of Camp
Benson Of this city, as with whitening
| locks and battle-torn banners they march
| ed into the hall and took possession OF
| the space reserved for them.
The meeting was presided over by
Col. John B. Patrick, who called the
gathering to order at 1880 o'clock a. m.
Rev. j. N. 81. Summerell delivered q
prayer impressive and appropriate to the
occasion.
| audience in brief and entertaining man
ner. calling to mind at the outset of his
remarks the object Of the observance of
| the day. There was not man nor wo-
man nor child, said be, who had not some
| idea of the meaning and inspiration OF
| the occasion, and whose heart did not
readily respond to the observance of this
day sacred to the memory Of the Con-
| federate soldier. Major Whitner paid an
| ELOQUENT tribute to the heroic virtues and
| noble sacrifices Of the Confederate SOL
diers. who, he declared, were an army OF
patriots battling for liberty which they
considered their birth-right, and endur-
| ing innumerable hardships with no re-
ward but the thanks and gratitude OF
their country and their own conscious
ness of duty done. Success makes patri-
OTIS, and failure rebels, In the estimation
of the world, but might is not right, and
the day is near at hand when history will
record the achievements Of Southern men
with less servile pen. The day being
observed was, said the speaker, the ami
yersary of the death of StonewaQ jack
son, the strong right arm of Lee, and was
an occasion peculiarly fitted for the COM
memoration of the heroic virtues and
unparalleled sacrifices Of the unnamed
soldiers who lost their lives in the cause
for which that great leader died.
The speaker glowingly portrayed the
devotion of the Southern women to the
| Confederate cause, and ventured the
| assertion that to them would the South
| mostly look to keep alive the memories
| of the dead. They fed the soldier when
he was hungry, clothed him with their
own handiwork, nursed him through
sick ness, in death folded his arms and
crossed his hands, and now 1t is to their
devotion and tender sympathy that we
must look to keep alive those memories
which are to us so dear and 80 sacred.
| [Applause.]
A memorial song was pleasantly rem
was followed by stirring song, "March
Of the Southern Mep," given by Mrs.
Cora Ligon in the very artistic and ad-
| mirable manner characteristic Of her
vocal productions.
A novel and Interesting ceremony,
termed the building Of floral monu-
ment, was here introduced. Sliding
doors of the stage were pushed aside dis
| closing to view q white-covered shaft,
upon which, to the inspiring and ap-
| pfauded strains of "Dixie," fair young
ladies deposited floral offerings. includ-
ing wresths bearing the uames of the
component States Of the Confederate
Republic, the whole being adorned with
the name Of Jefferson Davis, photographs
| Of Lee and Jackson, and surmounted by
handsome flag of the Confederacy. The
following young ladies took part in this
unique feature Of the programme:
Misses Louise Humphreys, Anna
Humphreys, Rosa PoOre, Sudie Gilmer,
Emily Diver, Claudia Provost, Minnie
Wilson, Clara Osborne, Marion Taylor,
Louise FAINT, Flora Chapman, Mary Sui
livan, Effie Osborne, Victorine Nardin,
Lilly Brown, Edna Earle, Alice Max
we'll and Lydia Orr.
Col. Patrick, in few we'll chosen
terms, introduced the next speaker, the
orator of the occasion, the son OF a gal
liant patriot and soldier, who served bis
country in three wars and led his brigade
upon the battlefields of Virginia, Gen. M.
L. Bonham.
General Bonham YVES greeted with ap-
| plause, and listened to with enthusiastic
| interest. His vigorous manner, happy
expression and eloquent language COM
bined to render his effort one Of surpass-
ing interest, and caused it to be regarded
as one of the crowning features OF the
days proceedings. He said:
It is reported of the Iron Duke that he once
said that given plenty Of beef and bread the Eng
lish soldier was the best on earth. A remark
somewhat similar in import Is attributed to the
celebrated VonMoltke In regard to German sol.
diers and that meteor-like man, the greatest mil
itsry genius that the world ever saw, Napoleon
| Bonaparte, said, that with an army Of men like
his Old Guard, led by him and fired by the love OF
glory he would undertake to conquer tho world.
Doubtless these things are more or less true.
Under Marlborough and the Duke Of Wellington
the wel-fed well cared for English soldier, back
| ed by the power Of government which loves to
boast that the sun never sets upon Its domintons,
did achieve brilliant victories. Led by Frederick
the Great and VonMoltke and Emperor William
the First, the German soldiers have illustrated
Le Petit Corporal, the idol and the darling Of his
| people the French soldiers, fired by tho love Of
glory and controlled by their idols hand have
dazzled the world with the briliancy of their mar
| tial achievements But, my friends, 1t remained
for the Confederate soadier-unfed, barefoot,
ragged with scarcely arms to fight with, and with
out ammunition, backed by government strug.
Cling for recognition refused by all the world-to
write the name of soldier and illustrate the quail
ity of heroism as the troops Of no other army and
| no other nation under the sun ever did or ever
| will do. TApplause.] Literally all the world
| wondered. Their reckless daring their fidelity to
| duty their achievements under disaster and dire
| Affections which would have dampened the ardor
| of other men, have written their names 80 high
upon the scroll of fame ttat the dastaraly DEEDS
OF those who would tear the laurel from their
| arhinyA tn at result.