Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-13
sends Judge Fuller one ana keeps tn
other three.
(The Bx-C Confederate Messenger. Atlanta,

(The Ex-Confederate Messenger, Atlanta,
Ga)
The final stigma Of shame and ingrati-
tude will be put upon the great Common
wealth of Georgia on April 9th, when,
under tho gavel' of the auctioneer, The
masterpiece of Henry Grady's hfe-work,
THE Confederate Soldiers Home" will
pass into the unholy realm OF barter and
trade. For thy more sweet understand
Ing" dear public, and yours. beloved COM
rades, the deed of the Atkinson Legisia-
ture," the Infamous ninety-three and
Niger, although perpetrated In 1891, finds
its full force in these black letters, Con-
federate Home for Sale, April 5, 1898"
Some brave men turn traitor after the
battle. Some desert after the forts have
been stormed. few, like Achilles, sulk
in their tents. We are not writing In
praise or defence of the valor OF Con-
federate soldiers. Their chivalry and pa
triotism is recognized far above the din
and roar Of demagogues. Had the leader
of the opposition to the homes accept
ance by the State been present at the pa
triotic exercises of the Grand Army or
the Republic on Wednesday evening, he
would have heard the following from the
lips OF General Mack, Union veteran:
Il have always felt proud Of Georgia."
said he, until this morning, when i
felt ashamed of the State, to learn that
you were letting the Soldiers Home go to
ruin; that your Legislature would not
give money to maintain q home for the
men who shed their blood for the state.
For Gods sake, do not allow that home
to be sold Maintain it. and never let
brave southern veteran walk your streets
a beggar or live In need"
The advertisement announcing its sale
says: ut is well adapted for a hotel,
sanftarium, educational, or benevolent In
stitution." Mark the word benevolent.
1t is a benevolent institution given by
the people OF Georgia, but made the
habitat of bats and owls by 1.-THE men
who control" God give us q ruler and a
Legislature coming from the people, to
the people, and whose hearts are with
the peoplei The Ex-Confederate Messen-
ger takes no part in politics. IL is Ameri-
can. II loves that sentiment which dema-
gogues decry, and yet Is the basis or all
true manliness.
No feature OF the Republican platform
has such a hold on the people or the
Northern States as the ample provision
IL demands for the care OF the ex-Fede-
raj soldier. Sentiment? 1t was SEN
timent that won the fight for American
Independence. 1t was sentiment that
emancipated the negro. 1t was mere
sentiment embodied in Henry Grady's
appeal for a home for the limping, half-
fed ex-Confederate that aroused Con-
tinent, and brought liberal responses
from Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, and
New Orleans to Atlanta. Beyond all, 1t
stirred the heart OF this old Common
wealth as 1t has never been done since
Oglethorpe laid its cornerstone at fama-
craw.
And now "the men who control have
said I'VE want no sentiment. Sell the
home" Alas. alas!
Here a place built for mortals
Where he thought TO have a home,
But on knocking at its portals
He was told: 'Away-begone"
Georgia does not recognize you;
II no more needs your support.
Do not wait, advise you,
In the wide world now go forth"
J. COTTON LYNES.