The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-10

his patriotic struggles and 10 pass on
10 our children the inspiring story Of
his woll-ir.cd valor and fortitude. In the
face of defeat
Under the flag OF the Old Republic,
surrounded by the graves OF those who
died in an effort 20 establish the new, we
have assembled. Amid such conditions the
question comes with trenchant signih-
cance, What mean ye by this seTyice?"
/ answer there are memories linked
with the men whose graves surround US,
which, as people, We cannot allow TO
which, as people, We cannot allow TO
die
Some one has said: "Siug me a ma
uon's songs ana will tell you the char
acter Of its people" Tell me the me-
mories that a people love 10 cherish, and
1 will declare whether from their loins a
race Of heroes Will ever spring. Tell me
the memories which take deepest hold
upon their hearts. and L will declare how
such a people will respond 10 the calls
OF patriotism. OF honor. and OF duty.
Time permits bat bare allusion TO the
memories which we commemorate to-day.
More than generation has passed Since
the War-clOuds gathered Upon a people
living almost pastoral lives. FAR from the
centres OF thought and activity Of the
outside world. this storm broke Ike
soHrs Bosom OF discord and destruction.
VALOR AND HONOR.
The tocsin sounded from Common
wealth 10 ComuIonwek lth summonlng
their sons 90 repel tho threatened in
Vaidon Like the siCn Of the blood-stain-
ed cross to the clans OF ROderick Dhu
from every hill and valley tho people
pressed 20 answer the call of their States
In cottage and cabin. as well as manor
and hail. the call was heard. and as
quickly obeyed. Questions Of eXpediency,
material loss, success or failure. vanish
ed; duty 10 country. valor. and honor,
these were the cOniideratOns which con-
trOlled.
-Ae power which threatened stood full
armored IN it's strength Rich in teeming
populations, diversified wealth, establish
ed government, and last,( but not least
the prestige and veneration of the Old
Flag and the Old Constitution. The COM
bat is all too unequal. But the battle is
Joined. and the citizen. now a soldier
goes forth
In the struggle which followed, he
wrought deeds OF constancy and valor
which illumine the dark picture Of that
period of storm and stress,
In tho shock Of battle, on the weary
march. in the disease-stricken hospital,
I'm nakeduess and hunger, he stood faith
fu and undaunted.
You ask for examples 70 unques-
tioning response 10 the calls Of country?
Bring 80 mind the dsys OF Gifts armies
listed from gray-haired sires 10 striSing
sons. which, as by magic, took the ehld.
DO you ask for examples of intrepid
courage-the dash OF the cavalier-which
marches on 20 certain death. and "greetS
the unseen with a cheer? Then, among
an hundred other examples turn 10 the
H..H# 81
immortal charge Of Picketts Division. A
ET mfwyp hrdinl hmht b hm hm mhm
field swept by a storm Of shot and shell:
the ridge a "bastiOn fringed with fire.
the devoted band moving with daunucss
front across the field 10 take the heights.
Now the gray line is lost TO sight i'm
the smoke of battle. Now 10 rCappcars.
and. though dccimated by "a pitilcss lcaden
hail, still moves onward and upward,
"while all the world wonders ana the
heights are won Wont but only for a
moment for won with the lives Of the
victor The pOet-alureate Of old Eng
land has celebrated with stirring verse
the glorious charge at Balaklava. As yet
no poet has arisen 10 commemorate i'm
belitlng strains the glorious OF Cemetery
Heights, but from man TO man, from
father to son, the simple yet wondrOus
story is told.
DO YOU ask for examples OF calm cOur-
age, the sturdiness of the lronside? Re
call the battle of First Manassas. The
victory hangs in the balance. AT one
strategic point the line falters and falls
back Above the battles roar is heard
the voice of the gallant Bee, Look,
there's Jackson standing like stone
wall: rally behind the Nirginians.'
Rally behind the Nrginians, What
glorious memory What q priceless herl-
tago for our children,
In the insoiring history Of this old Com
monwealth there are few more stimu-
latng instances than this call of Bee
Rally behind the Nirginians' God grant
that to-day and in the years TO come
amid problems and conflicts, whether of
peace or war We may be counted worthy
OF that confidence.
EXAMPLES OF FORTlTUDE.
DO YOU ask for examples OF forutude
IN the face of defcat2 ! point you 10 APP
pomattox. and the dark days which fol-
lowed. The remnants of the armies which |
had earned 10y their prowess undying
fame in the field, came back TO iind their
families broken, their homes in ashes,
their people in poverty their government
IN the hands OF strangers and their for
mer slave. TO them. the battle OF lie
amid these dire surroundings required, !
90 lR~tHAttNf
than that exhibited in the days OF strife.
These are some OF the memories which |
this occasion awaken. These are some
OF the memories which by this service !
we would consccrate and keep alive
We would not rekindle the dying en-
bers Of sectional strife. nor vainiy dis |
cuss questions submitted TO tho arbitra-
mcnt OF the sword. But. in the calmer |
light OF these after days, We may with |
profit considsrlor a moment the motives |
OF those who participated IN that strug |
gle
As the world goes. the victor has little !
need 10 justify his course. II is the van
ouiahed who. in the bitterness of defeat. |
finds the right OF his cause denied, and !
the motives which impelled him im- |
pngned Were tho men whose memories |
We honor rebels and traitors? |
Dld they LIT impious hands |
against government which had |
tho supreme claim upon their allegiance? |
The serted graves which stretch before |
Us mighta nswer this question.
Greater love hath no man than this. |
that he lay down his lie for his friends"
In the lives OF nations. as of men. there |
are problems tho solution OF which must |
he left 20 their conscience under God |
When, with yearnins for the truth their |
decision IS made, and with calIncr delibe- |
ration they give their lives as testimony |
OF their faith, then for such there Is no |
tribunal competent 10 pass an adverse |
Judgment this side the Court OF Heaven. |
II IL be objected that these sentiments |
would Justify the conscientious anarchist |
and insurcent. We reply that society has |
always recognized the difference between |
Il. 4. a.T.,..I