The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-01-16

South IN raising funds for great Me-
mortal Hall, which is to become the
"Battle Abbey" of the South, "The
depository of the relics and mementoes
of Southern history and yalor."
This idea of Memorial Hall, it will
be rendered, was conceived by Mr..
Charles Broadway Rouss, who sub
scribed 100000 conditioned upon the
veterans raising like amount.
This amount, General Gordon thinks,
can be raised by the ladies. In the
general order issued by him designa-
ting the day to be observed, Gen.
Gordon says:
The committee suggests the most
feasible manner Of reaching the desired
object is to set apart "Memorial Fes-
tival Day." and they ask that the
general commanding will designate the
date, and issue general order.
The general commanding, therefore
in compliance with the request of the
committee, designates Friday, May 1st,
1896, as the most suitable for "Me-
mortal Festival Day." to be set apart
for the use of the women of the South
in raising funds for this great Memo
rial Hall.
All the details and exercises of this
"Memorial Festival Day" are to be
planned, conducted and carried out
entirely under the orders, control,
ideas and management of The women
of the South in their respective locali-
ties.
The general commanding appeals
to and urges these heroic women, sur
vivors of the heroic age, and all the
daughters Of the South who take pride
in the history of such worthy and glo-
rious ancestors, to Immediately upon
receipt of this order, organize societies
and elect presidents, secretaries, treas
urers and other officers, in every city,
town, hamlet and neighborhood in the
South, and to notify Col. R. c. Wood,
general manager of the Confederate
| Memorial Association, No. a., Perdido
street, New Orleans, La, so that he
can at once supply them with subscrip-
ton books and full instructions, and
respectfully requests that they will com
mence without delay the collection ol
funds for the erection of this deposi-
tory of the records of the valor ol
Southern manhood, and continue their
| efforts Systematically, making the "Me'
mortal Festival Day." May I, 1896,
| the elimination OF their efforts.
General Gordon pays a glowing,
but just tribute to the women of the
South. Among other beautiful words
he uses the following:
"The true history OF their deeds and
triumphs has not yet been told.
| "No historian has yet written the
story, nor mise sung the song, mol
minstrel strung the Tyre, which fifty
| celebrates their praise.
"The straits to which they were re.
duced for food and clothing, the self
abnegation and hardships endured by
them during those dark and gloomy
days of war, finds no parallel in his
tory; their patriotism and courage viii
be written in golden letters upon the
tablets of war, ineffaceable while mem
ory lasts, and, as ministering angels
their names will live upon the pages O
poetry and in romance as long as chiv
airy exists in the hearts and minds ol
/ mankind"
GAS yet, only wandering trouba
dours, like the bards of the middle
ages, journeying from castle to castle
have very family sung their praise; bu
the tender and sacred memories which
cluster with halo of love and venera
ton around their living and dead de
mands that their names and the story
of their glory be gathered ere it is too
late, and that some Master, whose per
is inspired with celestial fire, who's,
touch is mellowed and hallowed BY
the richness and grandeur Of th'
theme, shall mingle and blend then
with their glorious achievements into
a Southern Epic, glowing with tribute
of their unrivalled history to be depos
tied in this sanctuary of Southern
vaior.
"In this Temple of Fame, which i
to be consecrated to all the people O
the coming centuries, in niche whicl
will be carved out by the story of thei
own wondrous deeds and glory,
monument will also arise, commemor
ative of the courage and fame of th'
'Heroiues of the South a name, whicl
will ever be linked in history wit
those of Roman Matron' and SPARTA
Mother For did not every Southern
mother, like the Roman Matron
proudly exclaim: These are m
!, jewels?' and did not their fortitude an
heroism rise to even supreme nights
For they sent their offspring bravel
and loyalty to battle for their country
the Spartan Mothers deathless in
junction: Return with your shield
!, or on it,
p "It is to the survivors Of these illu:
trious women and to their decendant
to. whom the general commanding
therefore, confidently intrusts this in
portant mission Of assisting in tn
o holy undertaking."
"For, in whose hands could tn
T sacred trust more properly be place.
q ! and with moYe cerfaintv nf sncces