Birmingham age-herald., 1895-05-23


 veterans in this war-searred state recalls Q striking contrast in their war his tories. Sixty years ago Texas won her fight for independence. Thirty years ago these eX-Confederatas lost their fight for separate nationality but Texas vic tories were not more glorious and grand than these brave men around me in theiA overwhelming defeat Teyas' victories won her way to statehood and place in the front rank of states. These con federates crushed and disbanded as sol diers, addressed themselves to the duties of citizens, with conservatism so con spicuous. patriotism so true and broad. a fidelity to the decisions of battle so un7 questioned and scarce as to challenge the confidence and esteem of patriots in every section of the union. This leads me to recall the remarkable achieve mentS by these eX-ConfederateS in peace, which impartial history will pro- nounce a fitting climax to their splendid record in war. The first is the recon struction, mainly through your instru- mentality, of the labor system of our en- tire section. You returned from long, exhausting and unsuccessful struggle to find the agricultureal labor of your states not only disorganzed but as a system (to the management and control of which you were born and trained) it was utterly destroyed. Yet you heroic ally undertook the task of it's reorganlza- tion under a new system and adapted yourselves to that new order. The sue cess of your efforts is the noblest com mentary upon you wisdom and justice. With no power to control that hitherto servile labor and no money to pay it. you successfully guided 1t to a place of self support and to vastly increased product of the south's great staple.
 The second is your astounding success in securing. in spite of the radical revolu- tion in the conditions around you and in so short a period, financial independence for your families and industrial prosper ity for your section. You returned from war poor, tens of thousands penniless, many shot and maimed, and yet bravely and uncomplainingly laboring with aid from no source save from God and your own self-reliant manhood you have fought your way to competence and pro- vided for your disabled comrades until scarcely a Confederate soldier can be found deprived of the comforts of life, At the same time your combined efforts have carried these southern states to a height of material advancement from which you may now calmly look back over land which, but thirty years ago was a wide waste of desolation and ashes, and around you over a country now happy in it's rebuilt homes and re- deemed farms, radiant in the light of in- dustrial resurrection, of assured prosper ity and enduring mat erial independence.
 
 less, transformations and peaceful man ner in which you laid aside the trappings and discipline of the camp for the modest garb of the citizen and silent restraints of civil government For this marvellous exhibition of self command, under supremest trials, for this complete burial of all sectional bitterness; for the gradual. but certain transmitting of your Valor and devotion, exhibited in defense of the flag that fell into unchallenged 1ntro 1ttr fn thn Hac hnf frita ,lan1 ff,. all these evidences of the loftiest attrib- utes of citizenship, you will yet find your reward in the universal plaudits of your countrymen, as it is already secured in the power, progress and cherished free dom of our reunited republic.
 Go forward. my comrades, and by self-denial. by wise economy and well directed energy continue the develop ment of this heaven-blessed section, un- til abundance shall be found in every household and the whole land shall re- toice in your industrial triumphs. Go forward in the cultivation of national fraternity, giving no heed to imprudent or thoughtless efforts to stimulate sec tional animosity in any quarter.
 I rejoice in the privilege of bearing to you fraternal greetings from the great body of brave men who confronted you in battle. It has been my fortune re- gently to mingle with those men in every section. Be assured, my Confederate comrades, that the overwhelming ma jority of the Grand Army of the Repub- lie. composed of soldiers who were brave in battle and are generous in peace, courageous, knightly and true, bear to- wards you neither lingering bitterness nor sentiment of distrust. Whatever of untimely passion which may here and there exist from any cause will be of short duration and comparatively harm less. In the presence of your continued conservatism and before the higher and nobler sentiment of the country it will vanish like vapors before the morning sun.
 But I must not consume more of the time of this more important convention.
 l close, as l began, by assuring the governor of this great state, the mayor of this metropolitan city and the gener- ous and patriotic people of both that the United Confederate Veterans are pro- foundly grateful for this superb recep- tion and bountiful hospitality.
 The convention then proceeded to bus mess. committee on credentials was appointed as follows:
 Arkansas, R. G. Shove; Georgia R. M. Plowman; Kentucky, John Boyd; Louisiana, w. R. Lyman; Florida, Frank Phillips; South Carolina, B. H. Teague: North Carolina, Samuel Thomas; Ten nessee, R. H. Dudley; Virginia, J. Tay- Tor Ellison; Maryland, George H. Stew art: Mississippi, Colonel Goldsmith; Mis- souri. H. H. Newman; Texas, J. D. Shaw; Indian Territory. J. L. Gait
 A committee on resolutions was then appointed, as follows:
 Alabama, H. L. Bridewell; Arkansas D. H. Crawley; Georgia, N. C. Calhoun Louisiana, John Glynn, Jr.; North Car olina, Samuel Thomas; South Carolina, J. G. Holmes; Virginia, J. Taylor Strat- ton; Kentucky, John Boyd; Florida, J. A. Enslow; Maryland, George H. Stew art; Mississippi. W. D. Holder; Missouri, J. o. Shelby Tennessee, J. H. Holmes; Texas, J. c. Cambell; Indian territory, R. B. Coleman.
 At this point the confusion was so fxraat that a sarqaa n lt=a at=.lr frnrr, nE