Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-05

e,ancIal desolation. What other race on
IN. ,acs Of the earth could have risen?
Tbe Greek never rose to manhood after
the Roman conquest. IL vas living
Greece no more. In single decade the
South built again her burned affairs. lus-
trated her temples OF justice put 10
flight the political brigands. turned the
balance o. trade Of the country by the
exports of her products. and so made
good the war debt of her adversary. In
ten years political power In Congress was
I'm her hands and prosperity I'm her homes.
II was e. triumph OF character, fortitude.
patience. industry. and craftsmanship. OF
urirne manhood. over adversely without
a parallel in all history.
at Cold Harbor. never since the IN
vention of gunpOwder. had so many men
fallen in so short a time. The army was
appaIled. Is there not "A living man who
saw the despairing dispatch OF Grant TO
Lincoln: 'Mr. President-The fight Is out
of the Army Of the Potomac Did not
Mr.. Seward have prepared three editorials
leading towards all armistice and peace?
Is not the manuscript interlined by Sc
ward in existence now? Had the forces
in the South stood firm for a few days,
was not the end in sight? Did Butler say
a rude thing about the twenty thousand
troops he sent Grant after the slaughter
at Cold Harbor? Was II that without
these fresh and uncowed soldiers Lee
would have driven Grant into the York?
Who knows?
1T MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
"It might have been. Whether the
South shall cherish the memory OF its
dead warriors is not a matter Of small
moment. 1t goes down to the core Of our
civilization and character. Better that
the grass grow In our streets than weeds
upon the graves OF the men who died al
the benest OF duty. Applause) Nations
have recovered from commercial decay
No people ever rose from self-abase-
ment. Among the Chinese the soldier Is
ranked as an Outcast and pariah. Pat
riotism is an unknown emotion. a Lofty
sentiment IS impossible to such sodden
wretches God forbid that by inditer
ence TO The claims Of the dead we should
commit suicide Of the soul.
"a people that rear monuments TO he
roes by free-wil offerings dignity them
selves and ennoble their own spirits. The
flowers scattered on TIE mausoleums OF
men who gave life for country refresh the
gentle souls that brought pious Offering
1t is a movement away from the animal
side OF our nature, and a gradient to-
wards royal and chivalrous manhood
When the millenial morn sheds It's glories
upon the sweet earth OF Hollywood. where
our martyrs and heroes sleep. may the
rising rays OF the unsetting sun find gar
lands Of love and honor thick strewn by
noble women and brave men" applause
A VOTE OF THANKS.
A vote Of thanks was rendered DIR. Laf
ferty for his most excellent address. anC
he was requested to furnish the manu-
script for publication in a pamphlet tC
be issued.
There followed an Informal entertain
ment. consisting Of vocal and instrument
tai music, which was rendered by loca
talent Among those participating wer'
Treasurer Charles II. Phillips, II. G. Rue
ger. Miss Florence Evans. Mr.. f.. y. Da
Wis. and the Cowardin Drum and Eff
Corps.
Among those present were Governo
and Mrs O'Ferrall, Hon. and Mrs. VII
| liam Writ Henry Colonel and Mrs JOIN
| y. Purcell. DR.. j. p. Smith, MIR. Lewis ID
! Crensnaw. Mr.. and Mrs. Stephen Put
nov. Mr.. william l.. Royal. Judge T. c
| Minor. Colonel h. n. Northen, and mem
! bers OF Pickett Camp; Colonel John b
! cary tha oficore and members ~ lie
| Camp, Mr.. and Mrs. J. Taylor Ellyson
! Captain j. Taylor stratton, Mr.. and Mrs
! George VI. West.