The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-21

argnented wealth and with arms In
s aue Sards and victory on their banners.
~, res1rned 10 an established and CRATE
ful government. AVN
A DEsOLATED LAND
The return Of the disarmed and disband-
Cd confederates. however was 10 people
made moor: 10 a land made desolate. COW
cred with blackened ruins, where every
home was in mourning every breath was
a sigh and every breeze a messenger OF
Voc And vet. after third OF a century
has nassed after the remnant OF those
armies have grown gray, and the gov
eminent for which they fought lives only
As a memory. these grim southern war
riors gather in annual reunions, and arc
the recipients OF boundless hospitality
dispensed by this recently impoverished
but grateful people
on what page in history VIII you ind
similar history? In what age or country
have the shattered remnants or defeated
armies. banded together In a brotherhood
so unique. a purpose so unselhshY
Among what defeated people mas ever
been witnessed such fidelity 10 inc memo
prizes OF an unsuccessful past; such de-
votion 10 the survivors or an un-
successful army. coupled with such
unostcntatlous. genuine and responsive
LOYALTY 10 the government from which
they so resolutely and conscientiously
sought separation? I challenge the
worlds annals to furnish parallel.
THE MEANING OF 1T ALL
In conclusion. let mo inquire what II
all means Simple Justice to these brave
and patriotic men. who yielded a last
10 overwhelming numbers and resources;
Justice 10 the Southern people whose de-
votion 70 their cause must be measured
by the countless sacrifices they made for
II Justice 10 the present attltlde toward
the American Republic, whose honor and
freedom and flag they are always ready
to defend. justice 20 the selt-re pect and
manhood Of Southern youth. Who are TO
stand for all time with Northern youth.
I'm defence Of popular liberty, Justice 70
the past and justice 70 the future. all
demand that our own posterlIN and an
mankind shall know the meaning Of these
phenomenal demonstrations over the
thinned ranks Of a broken. but proud
and once resistless army.
our heroic brothers Of the Union army
need no such care I'm guarding themselves
from misappreheusion; and for the reason
that they are. 50 10 speak. tne special
wards Of this great nation. All on its en-
ergies ali Of its influence and a large
share Of its taxing power are subject.
when required. 10 their demands. Be
sides. as a rule. 10 IS true the world over
that victory itself vindicstes. while de-
feat dooms 10 misrepresentation the
cause OF the vanquished.
Let us hope. however. that impartial
history. secured through the lahors Of
our broad minded and able Historical
Committee will avert from our people
such a wrong.
Again. and finally. 7 press the question.
what is the inmOst meaning OF these
Confederate pageants? Are they due 10
any covert or sinister aims or. IN the
remotest degree 10 self-scekingf Iheir
open sessions and published proceedings.
which all the world is challenged 70 in
spect. furnish the answer DO these re-
unions and popular demonstrations,
which attend them. draw their inspira-
ton form any suggestion OF disloyalty
to either OF the tremendous results Of the
var-the freedom of the slave and the
eternal unity Of the Republic
The protection OF the negro by South
ern courts his reliance for security upon
Southern sentiment and his education
through white taxation in Southern
schools. furnish the South's answer as 10
the first To the second: loyalty to>a per-
nottIal union Of the states and 70 the
honor Of the Republic-the South has
been continually answering since the
close of our Civil war; and she 10 an
swering to-day by the presence ana
prowess Of her heroic sons at the front
I'm the war with Spain.
HEROuS STILL.
Her Lee. her Wheeler her Bagley her
Blue her HobsOn and her thousands Of
volunteers who sprang 20 arms at their
country's call. are answering from their
camps from the PHILIPPINES and from the
iungles OF Cuba. You. my Confederate
comrades. would be there II the country
needed you. Many of you assembled mere
would have been there but for impaired
health and falling strength. But our
sons and grand-sOns are there WIN our
prayers and blessings theyNare enlisted
I'm this war for high and holy purposes.
Among the great ends TO be attained IN
this conflict with Spain. the freedom Of
oppressed islands I'm both oceans, the
wider influence Of America in the Coun-
ellis Of the nations the increased respect
for her power on land and sea, there is
still another achievement 10 be attained,
no less glorious and far reaching namely
the obhteration OF all traces OF distrust
among ourselves and the complete and
too long delayed unihc1tion OF the
American people, which shall be called IN
| question no more forever
THE ORATOR OF THE DAY.
The Grafton OF the day was delivered
by General Charles f. Hooker. of Mis-
sissippi General Hooker was introduced
by General Gordon. lie said that when
the surrender was made. the Confederate
soldiers separated with arms In their
hands. lie said IL was a capitulation, the
Confederates 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 capitulation'' said
the speaker.
A VICTORY TO BE PROUD OF.
Referring 10 the surrender at Apo
mattoX. General Hooker stated that some
Federal officers desired t0 IRE 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 t1 be proud Of;
we have been four years IN capturing
these so. 900 men who have aid down their
arms"
General Hooker was one of the counsel
appointed by the State OF Mississippi to
defend Jefferson Davis. when he was
charged with treason. He spoke feel
ingly OF the way In which the President
| Of the Confederacy with supreme alb
negation took upon himself the sins OF
all his people.
HIS DUTY WAS TO HIS STATE.
Only one reason. said the General
could be assigned for the failure TO try
| President Davis. His prosecutors knew
| he was not guilty. They knew his allie
glance was first due 10 his State and as
| a loyal citizens Of Mississippi when she
ceded II was his duty 70 espouse her