The Monticellonian., 1895-05-31
TEXAS yGeToRfOUS.

what optimistic prophet could predict Tor her a career so glorious as to be beyond her req sonable ambition?
 TEXAS VICTORIOUS.
 The assembling of these war-scarrod vet erans in this war-scarred state recalls stril- Ing contrast in their war histories Sixty years ago Texas won her fight for independence Thirty years ago these ex.confederates lost their light for separate nationality, but Texas victorious, was not mere glorious and grand than were these brave men around me in their overwhelming defeat. Texas, victorious, won her way to statehood and place in the front rank of states. These confederates crushed and diSbanded soldiers. addressed them selves to the duties Of citizens with con seryatism SD conSpi euous, patriotism so true and broad, a fidelity to the decisions of battle so unduestioned and sincere as to challenge the confidence and esteem of patriots in every section Of the Union.
 This leads me to recall three remarkable achievements by these eX-confederates in peace. which impartial history will pronounce a fitting climax 10 their splendid record in war The first is the reconstruction, mainly through your instrumentality, of the labor system of our entire section You returned from a long, exhauStng and unsuccessful struggle to find the agricultural labor of your states not only dSorganiZed but as system (to the manage ment and control Of which you were born and trained) it was utterly destroyed. Yet you he-
  tion under new system and Of adaping your selves to that now order. The success of your efforts is the nobleSt commentary upon your wisdom and justice. With no power to control that hitherto servile labor, and no money to pay for it, you successfully guided 1t to plane of self-support, and to vastly increase produc- tion of the south,s great staple
 ASTOUNDING SUCCESS
 The second is your astounding success in se- ri in nj nf ion in f ba conditions around you, and in so short period, financial independence for your families and industrial prosperity for your section. You re- turned from the war poor, tens of thousands of you penniless, many shot and maimed, and yet bravely and uncomplainingly, by laborng with aid from no source save from God and your own seH-relinnt manhood, you have fought your way to competence, provided for your disabled comrades, until scarcely 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 ma terial 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 redeemed farms, radiant in the light of industrial resurrection, of assured prosperity and enduring material independence.
 The third achievement Is the passionlesS transformations and peaceful manner 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 un- der Supremest trials, for this complete burial Of all sectional bitterness, for the gradual but certain, transmitting Of your valor and deyo- tiou exhibited in defense Of the flag that fell in unehallenged loyalty to the flag that tri- umphed. for all the evidences of the loftiest attributes Of citizenship, you will vet find your reward in the universal pluditS of your coun- trymen, as 1t is already secured in the power. progress and cherished freedom of our reunited republic.
 THE c. A.
 Go forward my comrades, and by self-denial, by wise economy and well-directed energy con- tinue the material development Of this heaven blessed section until abundance shall be found in every home and the whole land shall rejoice in your industrial triumph. Go forward in the cultivation of a national fraternity, giving no heed to imprudent or thoughtleSs efforts to stimulate sectional animoSities in any quarter
 rejoice in the privilege Of bearing to you fraternal greetings from the great body Of brave men who confronted you in battle. IL has been my fortune recently to mngle with those men in every section. Be assured, my confederate comrades, that the overwhelming majority of the Grand Army of the Republic, composed of soldiers who were brave in battle, and are generous in peace, courageous, knight iy and true, bear toward you neither lingering bitterness nor sentiment of distruSt. What ever of untimely passion may here and there exist from any cause will be of short duration and comparatively harmless In the presence of your continued conservatism, and before the higher and nobler sentiments Of the eoun- try, 1t will vanish like vapors before the morn ing sun.
 But must not consume more of the time of this important convention. Iclose, as began, by assuring the governor of thls great state. the mayor of this metropolitan city, and the generous and patriotic people of both, that the United Confederate Veterans are profoundly grateful for this superb reception and bounti- ful hospitality.