The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-22
COMRADE CARR'S ADDRESS.
Delivered Before the State Convention OF Con
federate Veterans Association.
Published by Re quest of yeterans9
Members of the Confederate Veterans
Association Of North Carolina

upSuIdT HIfiltttli SeSNit3l III IlllS @ANNSOthtt-
ton. and we gather cnce more as COM
rades in that heroic organizatoin which
played the foremost part in thn grandeSt
historic drama Of modern times. We
come to clasp hands in brotherly greet
ing to recall the events since our as
Sembling last year. and to inquire what
may be done fer the welfare of living
comrades, who may justly look for our
interest and efforts lin their behalf. Nor
should we fail to honor the memory of
the dead, those glorious companions of
camp-freS in the DAYS when
Lee wore the gray! Since 6hen
'Tis right and honor's hue!
He honored it. that man of men,
And wrapped it round the true.
At the session OF October, 1898, Won
were pleased to bestow upon me the dis
tinction of presiding officer of this body.
which represents the veterans in North
Carolina OF the Confederate Army,
whether from organized bodies on other
wise. gathering by custom, for assem-
bly,. from time to time.
At that meeting, you took measures
for an adjourned session. during the per
iod of legislative work by the General
Assembly. empowering a committee
to call the same in conjunction with the
president.
This meeting was held January 24fh
last. and was a striking demonstration
of the usefulness of this organization.
AN sections of North Carolina We're rep
resented by The flower Of the surviving
veterans. that bore the battle cross OF
the South.
The deepest interest was manifested in
its day and night sessions, the proceed
ings of which are of record and have
been Published.
RESULTS OF LAST MEETING.
Some of the important results of the
meeting are as follows:
A committee was appointed to wait
upon the General Assembly and request
such legislation as necessary. to insure
the publication of tine historic material
in reference to the troops of North Car
DINA. collected by Hon. Walter Clark,
and Hon. A. c. Avery.
1t is with grateful thanks to the pa
tgiotic members Of the Legislature who
subsequently accepted and approved the
suggestions made and placed upon the
statute book an act fer the accomplish
ment Of this purpose. 1t has been stat
ed that the language of the act contem-
plated only the compilation GU Hem Wal
ter Clark. but it is to be hcrd that no
portion OF records SO valuable will be
omitted from our history. The late Hen
~ Clay Wall. who was prominent III
securing the passage of the bill, when
his attention was called to this, stated
that it would he unnecessary to aflleald
the wording Of the act. as its spirit
would fully justify the printing of the
entire matter collected also by Hon. A. |
C.. Avery; the ntem.ieel being to comply |
with the wishes of the veterans of the
State.
The subject of increased appropriations |
for the Soldiers Home and for Pensions.
and notifications in the Pension Law, re-
cpived careful consideration by COM
mattee chosen by fhc several Congress
ional districts of the State. and two I
at large. and the Legislation to be asked |
for was formulated and a committee APP |
aointed to wait upon the committees /
Of the General Assembly having the sub |
Jecfs in charge.
This was done. in repeated sessions
Of the commtttees. and an apTwopr' alton
for annual support fer the Home, of
.J.000 instead of $500 as heretofore
was obtained and a special appropria-
tion OF 5000 for HOSPITAL and increased
accommodations, including repairs This
was a step in THE right direction. and
our thanks are due TO the members |
of the General Assembly who made this /
advance in the face of some pressure for
other objects. supposed to possess espe-
cial political value.
D,,ft \ t1ea1s ~
after the collating and comparison of the
facts in relation to the increasing NUM-
Der of disabled and needy veterans not |
only i'm North Carolina, but throughout |
the Southern States, and the enlarged |
provision made by our sister common
wealths, which have been laid before /
YOU heretofore that mere results must I
1e accomplished before North Carolina
shall have performed her duty. zap
plausel
VETERANS IN COUNTY HOME.
The recipients of this testimonial of a |
States gratitude should not he allowed |
10 stand an hour begging at the gates.
Shame upon MS that weeallow one gal
lam hero to 90 limping cr arniless to
his grave lacking the same comfort,
much less shiverng. ragged or hungry, |
and yet much less the inmate of a County
Home. ~
That we are rapidly passing away, is
sorrowfully attested by the gaps in our /
ranks every time autumn filings her ban
ner on the woods. and we seek cur State
capital to grasp the hand Of comrades,
and hear the strains Of Dixie" once
again tApplausel
Who does not miss a friend at each /
Reunion? Let North Carolina act before
st be TOO late forever Twice the pres
ent appropriation. or 100000 would be
only what Virginia began with and yet
her possible number of helpless and dis
abled must be far less proportionately |
than orr own.
This subject is pertinent now although
the next General Assembly to be chosen
in 1900 does not come together until
1901, because fully enlightened and
fully settled public sentiment. when
nominations are made viii so direct pub
lie policy, that few men will oppose the
clearly appreciated purpose of the people
God speed the day, when the home
will be so attainable. and so provided for,
with ample appropriations that the home
lc... haarsfs-;nly baiplaSSs vetaran whom