Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1898-07-28

honor than was selected for the
reunion this year, and the old vote
rams look long and admiringly at the
young women as they fit about from
place to place. -
Tho custom of selecting sponsors
and maids of honor seems to have
beon handed down from past ages,
and although few of the veterans
can tell why they are appointed, all
will say that they are q necessary
adjunct to the reunions, and it has
come to be recognized as one of the
first things thought Of in connection
with the big meetings. Tho custom
is one of the most interesting fea-
lures of tho reunion, as it brings
together congress of tho fairest
women of the South and keeps alive
the fino admiration of Southern
womanhood which has grown into a
passion among the veterans and true
Southorncrs.
WHAT SPONSORS ARE FOR.
One of tho most prominent Con-
fcderate veterans was asked to OK
plain something about the custom,
and he said:
"One of the most interesting fea-
lures of tho reunions is the custom
of appointing beautiful sponsors by
the different divisions, departments,
headquarters and by every camp.
"This beautiful custom isz of
course, taken from the age of chiv-
airy, that of selecting beautiful
woman to whom the brave could pay
homage, and for whom they were as
willing to break lance and risk
their lives rs they were to knecl and
be crowned victor in the games or
tournament by their lovely hands.
"ln every age the beauty, grace
and lovoliness and courage of woman
has inspired the soldier and patriot
and sustained his hopes in the fire of
battle and in the hour of peril.
"Nowherc has the real courage,
patriotism and valor of women been
moro resplcndent with heroism than
during the Confederate war. The
story of tho courage and devotion of
Southern women during the four
years of storm and battle whicl,
swept over the Southland forms the
brightest and most heroic picture in
that unequal strife.
cit is meet, therefore, that the
daughters of the heroic women Of
tho Confederacy should participate
in these reunions, and after q lapse
of years as tho evening shades gather
around the old veterans and before
night closes into everlasting dark.
ness, stand sponsor for the camps
divisions, departments and head.
quarters, all composed Of the brave
survivors of tho Southern army, oil
the men who made history, for thcil
country for all time to come.
"Thc custom was instituted for the
first time at the reunion held at New
Orleans in 1892, when Adjt. Gen
Moorman had succeeded in organizing
most of the Southern States into
divisions, and conceived the idea
that it would add much to the beauty
and enthusiasm of the reunion tc
have each division send a sponsor
with Miss Winnie Davis, the daugh-
ter of the Confederacy, to preside
over all.
"rhis lovely and interesting fea.
lure was successfully carried out
and at each successive reunion has
been one of the most prominent fea-
lures of this great gathering OF
brave mon. The commencement at
Now Orleans has been broadened
until every camp now appoints ono
or two sponsors and tho department
commanders, also Gen. Gordon, tho
commanding general, and Adj. Gen
Moorman for headquarters"
THE OFFICIAL SPONSORS.
The official sponsors and maids OF
honor attending the reunion arc the
guests of the Atlanta Reunion Asso.
citation, and they are regarded as the
most charming visitors in the city
They represent tho general organiza.
ton, the three departments of armies
and then the state divisions. Each
dcpartmcn tand division is entitled
to one sponsor and each sponsor is
entitled to ono maid of honor. There
are about forty official sponsors and
maids of honor for the reunion, and
all others are representatives of the
congressional districts and camps
and other unofficial departments
The next annual reunion of the
United Confederate Veterans will be
held in Charleston, S. @.