The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-11

t,,,,- t,,s. =. axcd and certain. Ana Whiic
an tho forms of government and all thc
Institutions Of men undergo an i'',' LA
variety of shifting forms, truth ever no'-S
its constant sway and guards tue in"'o'
tality Of noble words and deeds.
The work Of these tollers VINO ie'i os ,"S
way is not lost. The spirit that ah''n".eu
them IS not dead. But as man pu' 'Sue'
his destiny from genraton TO sehora,Ion,
from continent TO continent anu noa' s
one government to another. the electric
wires which stretch from these graves
into all the haunts and habitatlons Oh
men will be quick with messages OIL
LOFTY cheer. and will illuminate the bioaa
avenues and triumphal arches oil pa,fio'ic
progress with the beacon lights OF nlgh
and holy inspiration. .,
We could not render TO our dead such
honor as Is due them, nor speak as 'nes
would speak were they anNe
amongst us. IL We did not eN-
press gratitude to the women Oh
the South, to those OF Nrsih,a,
to those OF Richmond, ana espe'ahy
here and now to those VINO consu'u'e
"The Ladies' Memorial Association Tor the
Confederate dead of Oakwood" Ihe wo-
mon of the south. and none OF them more
than those whom l have designated de-
serve and receive our most devout ana
grateful recognition. Their shining names
are foremost In every Confederate ron
of honor They sustained our soilieis
arms with unfaitering iorutude. lhey
tended their wounds with minisiefihg
care. It is their undying PATRIOTISM that
has nursed and made green their graves
ORIGINATED IN THE SOUTH
II was a woman OF the South who in
augurated the memorial day which mas
now become a national Observance, Dy
herself nstituting the movement 10 SET
apart q day of spring, whereupoh 10
dress the soldiers graves with Dowers'
Beautiful custom. 1t Is worthy OF "o-
mans inspiration. giving to us an East
or dov of patriotism, Indicating that TO
all the virtues that can grow and gioFity
the cause of the country. there IS even
as TO the spirit Of man, resurrection
and life.
This city once the focus Of mighty
conflict is girded around with hosts OF
! mounds like these. and as time supplies
| opportunity for tributes TO be pald 10
| the illustrious dead. more and more ana
| wear bv year the monuments VIII rise
| on public squares and street CROSSINGS
on highway and hilltop, to bear 10 the
future generation signs and tokens ana
| lessons of the heroes story that was toir
| between Manassas and AppomaVoN.
| And yon sentinel-the private soldier OF
| the South-who stands on the lofty Pill
lar that overlooks the city and the river.
shall behold from his eyrie the bronze
or marble form of many heroic soio'etS
of the Confederate host.
And It has been frequently suggested
| that the circle of memorials Will be WITH
out its clasp. that the coronet of honor
will vet Lack the crown jewel until
| some splendid monument has been con-
structod to the Confederate women.
Yet | know MOI who could plan or exc
cute that task as | know not VINO
would not be happy to contribute TO It's
performance. For were the marble
quarrled from Fontelieus and did some
new born Praxiteles stand ready with
his chisel to carve into form, the arust
would realize that art had reached It's
| limitation and stand helpless In a dream
that could never find expression.
But whatsoever things are pure, what
soever things are lovely. whatsoever
things are without reproach. In
the history OF the South. these
| things are monuments to us
womanhood: and as long as Faith. Hope
and Charity dwell amongst us. those wo'
men will be the vestals in whose lamps
the oil faileth not, ere the light growe'h
dim.
THEY WERE BRAVE.
The Confederate soldier was the soldier
Of the people. There has never been on
| this earth a movement which sprang W
more spontaneously from the hearts oil
| the people In the ranks OF the Contcd'
crate army stood the college boys aiona
side of the country lads, the farmers ana
the grave professors of moral philosophy
| q aff
| divinity the carpenters and the archl'
| tects. they all were comrades In the
| ranks. The two armies that wrestled ioi
| victory were never surpassed IN deNouor
for their cause: they were both brave
| full of intelligence and ready to receive
wounds and death.
Tho Federal soldiers and the Confed'
| crates were both brave men and as sucl
| deserve that all brave men shall always
| recognize their bravery and manliness
| Rut we prefer the COnfcderates irst be
cause they were our own; they fought
| and fell for us and flinched not; then
energy supplied their want OF materials
they were men. good and true and seit
| sacrificing in their devotion. We com
not to this place as those who mourn, W.
have heard >he command OF the grea
| cantain. who has said. My will and no
thine be DONE The Confederate soidie
obeyed orders and bowed TO the majesti
will Of him who created us.
When Major Danicd had ended his ad
dress three cheers were given him at tn
suggestion of Judge Minor.
Captain Frank Cunningham then step
| pc rforward and conducted the singing
of the song America which was Joins'
| i'm by the entire audience. Rev MI
Quares next pronounced the benedictiol
and after tars had been sounded b.
Bugler Lois the Richmond Howtzers fire.
the customary salute thereby bringing
the exercises to a close.