The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-06-24
relation and possibly for some suggestions
as 10 the future.
AN INTERESTING REVIEW.

years ago, while serving as HoNtinor OF
my native state | received from New
Orleans the wholly unexpected announce
mcnt of my election as Commander-in-
chief Of the newly organized United Con-
federatc Veterans. This new communion
Of ex-soidcrs BEGAN its somewhat un-
promising career with the modest number
OF but ten organizations united for peace
full and noble ends To-day is presents
the proud array Of more than thousand
camps answering the roll call and reflect
ing meritcd honors upon the different
comms nders and especially upon our able
adjutant general In the next few hours
| shall turn over to my successor this
army OF more than thousand organiza-
tions rapidly advancing toward the sec
Ond thousand.
II said Mr.. President. that / would turn
over an army. II is an army OF ex-
soldiers. OF ex-Confederate soldiers. Of ox-
fighting Confederate soldiers, at whose
prowcss and endurance enlightened Chris
tendon stood i'm brcathess amaZomcnt.
II is an army still Nj. President. but an
army for the bloody work of war no
longer. It's banners no longer bear the
flaming insignia of battle. It's weapons
no longer flash defiance 10 The foe nor
deal death 10 opposing ranks. It's weap-
ons are now the pen without malice the
tongue without aspcrsion and history
without misrepresentation. Its aims are
peaceful, philanthropic and broadly pa
trotic. Its sentiment Is lofty. generous
and just. Its mission is 90 relieve the
suffering Of the living. cherish the MEM
ory Of the dead and TO shield from re-
nroach the fair name Of al. This now
mighty organization. while insisting upon
complete historical Justice to the South
will scorn TO do less than complete JUS
tice 10 the north. Proud Of the South's
chvalry in defending the rights of the
States they honor the hcroism of the
north In defending the pcrpotuity Of the
Union. Having committed the South's
cause to the arbitramcnt Of battle. they
Loyalty and manfuly stand by that iri-
bunais verdict. Fighting and suffering
for their homes and rights as men have
rarely fought and suffered i'm the worlds
history: exhibiting on n hundred fields
and i'm thousand emergencies q heroism
never excelled: yielding from utter OK
haustion and only when their PROSTATE
section was bleeding at every pore: fail
ing after the most desperate defensive
struggle in human annals to establish
their cherished Confedoracy, these high
souled sons OF the South offer this record
Of devotion as the noblest pledge Of their
fcalty to freedom and OF their readiness
to defend the republic Of the fathers.
REPRESENTATIVE SOUTHERN MAN
HOOD.
MY comrades of the United Confodo-
rate Veterans, if this brief summary
fairly represents your sentiments and
your aims. then my cup of JOY is fun in
deed. | cannot doubt / do not doubt
that / have caught and correctly voiced
the impulses and hopes of this most re-
preventative body of southern manhood.
In the first address issued by me as
your commander / sought to embody your
sentiments az / did my own. Let me read
a few sentences from that address. After
reciting the objects Of the United Confed-
crate Veterans as declared by your con-
stitution, / said:
'"No misjudgments can defeat your
peaceful purposes for the future. Your
aspirations have been lifted by the mere
force and urgency OF surrounding condi-
tions TO a plane far above the paltfy con-
siderations Of partisan triumphs. The
honor of the American republic; the just
powers OF the federal government; the
equal rights OF the States. the integrity
of the constitutional union the sanctions
of law and the enforcement or order
have no class of defenders more true ana
devoted than the eX-sOldiers OF the south
ana their worthy descendants. But you
realize the great truth that people
without the memories OF heroic suferinS
and sacrifices are a people without his
tory. .,
..To cherish such memories and recall
such "A past. whether crowned with sue
cess or consecrated in defeat, is 10 ldedi-
ize principle and strengthen character
intensity love Of country and convert de-
fea, and disaster into pillars Of support
for future manhood and noble woman
hood whether the southern people uh-
der their changed conditions may ever
hone TO witness another civilization Mhi'i
.bau equal that which began with thelr
George Washington and ended WIN ,''''
90 n is certainly true that Devotion 10
,beir glorious past Is not only the shre7'
Guaranty OF future progress-the hoilest
Io,a of unity. but H. also the strongest
claim they can present 10 the coh"ueH'o
ana respect of the other sections OF inc
Union. .t,,,,,, I
ne is nolitical In no sense except 50
,,r as the word "pOlitical j. sy"onS ~
of ,he word patriotic. IL is Il DiV,no ~,
hood over which the genius on p,''''" .'.'
Ir,nV and patriotism. Of truth ana JUS
49, y.u prcsidc. OF philanthropy be
c,,,so A. will succor the disabled h'lp
,ho needy. strengthen the weak anu
| cheer the discons0latc. OF PATRIOTISM De
cause IL win cherish the past Sioii'S VI
tho dead Confodcrary, ana trahSiii"''
fhcn into inspirations for future services
| 90 the living republic; OF trn-h' pe'auSe
| N will seek 90 gather and preserve ui'lin.
pcachablc facts as witnesses lot ",A'oiF D
| Of Justice. because IT VIII cultivate ma
| tional as well as southern tta''rii'F,
| and will condemn narrow dheSS anu
| preiudice and passion and cultivate ,na'
| broader. higher. nobler sentiment Whl'n
would write ON the grave OF every sol
| dicr who fell on either side;
..'ucre lies an American hero. martyr
10 the right as his conscience concciN'o
IT, .....,...,,,.,.,.
WON THEIR KNlGiTiioop.
"Mv comrades how can ! doubt your
svmpathv and approval when upon this
analvsis OF your creed. YOU have support
ed me for 20 great "a period ANA "iih such
unparalleled nanimity? Guided by my
| own convictions Of duty Co Nou ana to
o,r whole country. I have not hcsiiateo
"a proclaim upon an proper occasions M
nuhlic and pri~atc. on the political husi'
/ ines and the foor OF the Senate. at tn'
/ North and the South. and among ih,
| English speaking people beyond the Al
| iartic--averywhere I repeat have PRO
claimed that the knighthood won by tn'
| confederate soldier In war would never
be lost or tarnished I'm peace by narrow
bicoirv or any lack OF "a noble magma
4 nimity.
l ..,fr p.,ri1enf MS long as the SOuih-