The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-01

applied to the Confederate soldier and
when he asked the old vets IL there was
one who had any apologies to offer or
any retractions TO make Tor being a rebel
lhere was vigorous response in the
negative.
Another lesson which the Governor
thought should be taught to the chill
ureh of the day was that the South went
10 war only afifter all means had been
exhausted to secure recognAiun of
rights guaranteed by government
which was the golden fruit of n victory
baptized by the blood of Southe!ners
from Boston Heights TO the plain OF
Yorktown. Coasramlsting the veto
rams that. though many had crossed over
the river. they were still here 10 enjoy
this delightful occasion. the Governor
continued:
ON, how Your minds must be travel
ing with swifa wings back over the
events OF your early manhood. In the
sprinSt.me ia. casts dts fragrance and
paints the laughing soil and makes al
nature joyous, th!rty-fve years age
each OF YOU buclSled on your armor
ana pade loved ones goodbye received a
notners blessing, or wife's warm kiss
ana unwound. perhaps, tiny arms from
ahout you: neck. closed the door Of home
Dehind you. and reported TO your coun-
try for duty. Soon opened the carnival
of gore. First the pick,t's signal rur
was heard. then the desultorv fire OF
the skirm!shers. then came volley after
NolleE of the line and the roaring of
cannonry, followed before long by ,he
ringing command 'raarge that rose
above the din like greeting hail Ia
death, then the yell that no foeman will
ever forget. then the resoundine shout
OF victory, or, perchancc, the stern rsea:-
ing cry of repulse. This pictures truly.
but In duh language. your experience
running through the cycling seasons Of
the memorable years
How these memories must be firing
your brain and the feelings OF a nigh,
after battle returning 10 you when
either under clear or murky sky. in
pae darkness or moonlight. You sa;
around your b!vouac fires hewailing the
ioss or comrades or wrapped your blan,
keti about you to seek relief from, vour
heartaches, but only to restless repose
o" 70 dream of the noble fellows whose
warrior spirits that day had taken their
hight TO meet warriors God.
But must stop. ] mus. Danish if |
can thousMa; thar open wounds so wide.
PRECIOUS as they may be- these refiec.
s.ons touch a chord SO sensitive as 10
leaNe nauGht but grief and pain
veterans ana comrades the Ion never
counts the fotS ;e confroU.s nor weighs
the enemies he has 20 scatter and SO il
was with the Confederate soldier. and
when he returned 10 the walks or peace
ana siun-berous calm he carried the
same couraS &c with him. He had suren.
dered in obedience 10 the order of his
commander. given when further resist
aHce would have been suicide. He was
ready to s:lll sand. Trough the blue
i!nes enc!rcled him Ike the coils of an
anaconda and certai death awaited him
30 when ne took his parole he held hi.
mead erect, and though he was van
qu!shed, Il required not the candle Of
Dlogenes 10 discover IN him a man stlll
OF fun statue and eagle heart. In the
majesty Of ::s unconquered viii and with
MS great soul swelling with emotions ht
pehe!d his country, so bright and beau.
Niui, prosperous and plentiful before II
was trampled by the hoof of war. in dev
aSiai-on and desola:.on, penury and
want. He found her devoted women on
hended knees sending up invocations for
Succor and help, and her patrarchs with
bowed heads and dropping forms sitting
III The hush and eti.lness OF the awful
hour. He listened 20 tiar psals of hnr
chuiE'n ocl!S summOning her people 10
me Holy Sanciuaries and they sounded
10 MN Ike funeral kr.lls. BUT hi,
nerve failed not and the iron was still
in ms veins, and glrding up his lolns he
registered vow to dispel THE gloom that
enveloped his stricken land and raise
her from her depths Of misery and CARY
her forward until she reached the dlz2v
he!Ghts or material strength and com.
mercial power. His VOW was waited by
the winds that were signing and the
hieeZes Wat were Whispering never
dying names to every corner where the
runs were spread ana the living were
treahms light on the mounds .of the
DEAD The fates seemed to be against
MN Tor a season, but with a devotion
anu courage sublime he pursued his
task. and now we behold IN the cfful-
gence ana lustre of the South's redemp-
t!on and progress the grand culnjn,ti tinr
OF ms eHorts and the splendid fulnIlment
of his VOW.
Evidences of restoration and nros-
pefltE nave gladdened You everywhere
on your way. Raced and beaten plan
tatlons over which your visions sw.nt
in the dark epoch when your hrods
were not hoary nor your locks siIvcrn
when your bodies were strong and you,.
steps were nimble. are nov smiIinr
with bountcouS crops; the closed ave-
nues OF trade have been opened. III.
qnenched fires of industrial enterprjsc
have been rekindled and muItinliad -
the clogged wheels of CON-
merce have been set free and ara 70
Vo!vins with lightning speed: the re
ccsses of the earth have been exploded
ana the breasts of the mountains omen
ed ana made to yield up their treasures
surely indeed is this Southland OF
ours basking in the sunshine of
strength. wealth and power, ali result
ing from the indOmitalle will NJ ~