Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-21
RICHMOND TRIUMpHS.


/
hves only as memory. these grim south
ern warriors gather in annual reunions
ana are the recipients OF boundless no.
| p'taHty, dispensed by this recently inn
poVcfisned but grateful people
On what page In history Will you finc
similar history? In what age or coun.
Wy nave the shattered remnants OF de-
Ieated armies. banded together I'm q
brotherhood so unique. n purpose so I'M.
selfish? Among what defeated people ba.
ever been witnessed such fidelity to tbe
memories OF an unsuccessful past; sucn
devotion to the survivors OF an unsuccess-
Iui army, coupled with such unostenta-
uous, genuine, and responsive loyalty "a
the government from which they so reso-
lGteiy and conscicntously sought separa-
uohE l challenge the worlds annals "a
furnish a parallel.
WHAT 1T ALL MEANS.
I'm conclusion, let me inquire what II
all means. Simple justice 70 these brave
and patriotic men. who yielded at last 70
overwhelming numbers and resources:
justice to the southern people, whose de-
Notlon TO their cause must be measured
by the countless sacrifices they made for
II; justice to their present attitude toward
the American republic, whose honor and
freedom and flag they are always ready
to defend; justice TO the self-respect and
manhood Of southern youth. who are to
stand for all time with northern youth IN
defence OF popular liberty; Justice to the
past and Justice TO the future all de-
mand that our own posterity and all man
kind shall know the meaning of these
phenomenal demonstrations over tho
thinned ranks Of a broken but proud and
once resistless army.
Our heroic brothers Of the Union army
need no such care in guarding themselves
from Misrepresentation, and for the rea-
son that they are, so to speak. the spe-
cial wards of this great nation. All of
It's energies. all Of its influence, and a
large share Of its taxing power are sub
ject, when required, 10 their demands
Besides. as a rule II Is true the world
over that victory itself vindicates, while
defeat dooms TO Misrepresentation the
cause of the vanquished.
Let US hope, however, that impartial
history, secured through tho labors OF
our broad-minded and able Historical
Committee, will avert from our people
such a wrong.
THE SOUTH OF TO-DAY.
Again. and finally. press the question,
What is the inmost meaning of these
Confederate pageants? Are they due 20
any covert or sinister aims, or. in the re-
hottest degree 10 self-seeking? Their
open sessions and published proceed
ings, which all the world Is chal-
lenged TO inspect, furnish the answer. Do
these reunions and popular demonstra-
tons, which attend them, draw their In
spiration from any suggestion OF disloy-
atty to either OF the tremendous results
OF the war-the freedom OF the slave and
the eternal unity OF the republic? The
protection Of the negro by southern
courts. his reliance for security upon
southern sentiment, snd his education
through white taxation in southern
schools. furnish the Souths answer as 20
the first. TO the second, loyalty TO q
union OF the States and 10 the
honor and glory of the republc-the
South has been continually answering
since the close of our civil war.
and she is answering to-day by ,
the presence and prowess Of her
heroic sons at the front in the war
with Spain. Her Lee, her Wheeler, her
Bagley. her Blue, her Hobson. and her
Of volunteers who sprang TO
arms at their country's cali, are answer
ing from their camps, from the Philip
pines. and from the jungles Of Cuba, You,
my Confederate comrades, would be there
IL the country needed you. Many OF you
assembled here would have been there
but for impaired health and failing
strength. But our sons and grandsons
are there. With our prayers and bless |
ings they are enlisted In this war for
high and holy purposes. Among the great !
ends TO be attained in this conflict with |
Spain. the freedom of oppressed islands |
in both oceans. the wider influence of |
America in tho councils of the nations, |
the increased respect for her power on |
land and sea, there Is still another |
achievement to be attained, no less glori- |
Gus and ar-reaching-namely. the oblite- J
ration OF all traces of distrust among ]
and the complete and too long |
delayed unifcation Of the American peo- |
pie, which shall be called in question no |
more forever"
GENERAL HOOKER'S GRAFTON.
The Grafton of the day was delivered I
by General Charles f. Hooker, OF Missis-
sippi General Hooker was introduced by |
General Gordon. He said that when the |
surrender was made the Confederate SOL
ders separated with arms in their arms. |
He said it was a capitulation, the Con-
federates being allowed to depart in
peace, unmolested, so long as they OBJ
served their parole
There is not one Confederate but has
kept the terms of his capitulatioD" said
the speaker.
APPOMATTOX.
Referring to the surrender at Appomat-
tox. General Hooker stated that soma
Federal officers desired to fire a salute
In honor of the Victory. Everything was
in readiness for the salute. when General
Grant, learning Of it, said: Stop that
firing. We won a victory TO be proud Of;
IN Vii |
hese 10000 men, who have laid down
heir arms
DAVIS'S EXPERIMENTATION.
General Hooker was one of the counsel
appointed by the State Of Mississippi TO
Iefend jefferson Davis when he was
harged with treason. lie spoke feeling
Y of the way in which the President OF
he Confederacy. with supreme abnega-
ion, took upon himself the sins of all his
,eople. Only one reason, said the Gene
al, could be assigned for the failure to
ry President Davis. His prosecutors
new he was not guilty. They knew his
llegiance was first due TO his State, and
s a loyal citizen of Mississippi, when she
eceded, II was his duty 20 espouse her
ause.
JOE WHEELER.
In commenting on the fact that the
ouths representatives, were taking a
rominent part in the war with Spain. he
ook occasion to attest TO the bravery ana
allantry Of General Wheeler.
"They may beat him for Congress In
labama," said the speaker. They'll |
ever do it," shouted score Of voices
.om the audience.
'They may beat him for Congress IN
labama," continued the speaker, but
e will erect a magnificent monument TO