Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-27
4 Southern Legion of Honor.

Charleston News and COurier.)
At the State Convention OF the Daugh-
ters Of the Confederacy Of Georgia, held
| at Rome last week, certain resolutions
| were adopted which are Of interest "a
| all Confederate organizations In the coun-
! try, and deserve notice accordingly. Inc
idea involved in the resolutions. II Is
| stated, originated with Mrs Alex. ). Er'
win Of Athens, and the preamble and
| resolutions were introduced by Miss NJ
| Rutherford, Of that city.
The preamble recites that, whereas. II
| has been the custom OF every civilized
nation to bestoW upon the members Of its
army and navy, and other deserving per-
| sons, medals and crosses Of honor, such
as the Victoria Cross, Of England, the
Iron Cross, Of Germany; the Cross OF
| tho Legion of Honor Of France. and the
medals and crosses bestowed by the
! United States Government" and. where
as. "the Daughters of the Confederacy
| recognizing the fact that the army and
navy OF tho Confederate States have
never had such decorations bestowed on
them. consider II especially our duty and
privilege TO supply that deficiency And,
whereas, the veterans or the army and
navy Of the Confederate States quilted
themselves like men" IN the times that
tried mems souls, land gave an exhibit
ton Of dauntless and unyielding courage
in the face Of overwhelming odds. such
as has never been known in the history
OF the WORLD;
Daughters OF the Confederacy, do confer
upon each and every member OF the army
and navy of the Confederate states Of
America, a cross, to be known as The
Southern Cross of the Legion Of Honor
to be handed down from one generation
20 another as a most priceless heritage,
bought, as Il was, with the blood Of their
fathers, and though Of no intrinsic value
in itself, TO stand as a record for al
time Of the memory Of those men who
represented all that was lofty in princi
pie pure in patriotism, and dauntless in
courage.
BE it resolved further, That upon
those who distinguished themselves by
remarkable feats of courage, the cross be
attached TO a laurel leaf pin to designate
ii as a special mark of valor.
BE il resolved further, That 1t be made
a feature Of Memorial-Day and reunion
exercises TO confer these crosses.
BE IL resolved further. That the presi-
dent Of the United Daughters Of the Con-
federacy, IS well as the presidents OF all
chapters, be requested TO bring this mat
ter before their several organizations as
soon as possible, so as 10 nave the plan
In operation In time to inaugurate It's OBJ
servance upon our next MemOrial-Day.
This places the whole matter before the
organizations and individuals concerned
in IT, for such consideration and action
as they may adjudge it to deserve on it's
merits, and we are not disposed to at
tempt to anticipate or influence their de-
cision. The Georgia organization has
fully explained the reasons for its propo
sition, and has committed itself by for
NAL resolutions to the plan IL remains
for the related organizations in Geor-
gia and other States 10 signify their ap-
prevail or disapproval of what is pro-
posed or to suggest such notifications
as may be regarded as necessary or eX
pedient for its improvement The only
suggestion that we have TO offer is the
obvious one that the Confederate vet
Grams themselves should have voice.
directly, or indirectly in the award Of the
Especial mark of valOr," I'm order 10 in
sure its worthy bestowal in every case,
and as IL is TO be assumed that their aid
in making such awards would be invited
and obtained in all cases, II should be
formally and regularly provided for.
The first resolution calls Tor action on
the part OF the proper Officers 10 bring
the subject before the several OrganiZa-
lions OF the Daughters of the COnfederacy
"as soon as possible, so as 10 have the
plan in operation In time 10 inaugur0te
it's observance upon our next Memorial
Day" We do not think the plan can be
perfected and put in operation at so early
a date The matter Is a very important
one. and cannot be disposed OF In haste.
IL should be submitted, perhaps. 10 the
Veterans at their reunion In |
Charleston next May. for such sugges-
tons and aid as that body may have To |
offer. All the organizations Interested |
can give IL their attention In the mean |
time and be prepared for concerted ac- |
ton when a general plan shall be devised |
and adopted.