The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-20

| ing notice. because that bit of cardboard,
with its clear type and artistic finish, and
that neat sheet bearing on its face bust
nesslike method and accuracy, have, with
| in them, far more than is Indicated by
their laconic phrase and formal lines.
AS the methodicaily arranged ivory keys
of the piano can be Weakened by the hand
of skill to soul-stirring harmony so those
formal lines will, to the eye of patriotism,
! extend into the region of beautiful thought
and uplifting sentiment.
Have we not often heard that stones
preach sermons?" Then is 1t incredible
that the card and sheet of which l write
have preached to me three sermons? One
on method and devotion; another on ad-
herence to Southern principles, and an
other on the grandeur of our cause.
Lest the reader interprets the expression
Sermon" too literally, / beg to hold her
attention by explaining that few lines
will suffice to lead the thoughts of our
United Daughters of the Confederacy into
the desired channels.
Is not this systematic work and de-
votion to duty OF the State secretary beau
tiful? Though surrounded by the verdant
beauty and grandeur of the mountains OF
North Carolina, still her thoughts go back
back over hill and plane to the United
Daughters of the Confederacy of distant,
which vast creation breaches an eternal
sermon-does not our cause seem the
grander from its practice?
Another thought, or, rather, fact, to
which | desire TO call attention: These
application blanks are indirect declara-
lions of State rights doctrine. They are
evidence OF a defeated amendment offered
last year at the general convention, the
object of which was to vest the general.
.,..t ,,,.N. a
cation with more authority and to lessen
that of the State division by having chap
tiers apply direct to the United Daughters
Of the Confederacy National headquarters)
for their charters instead Of through the
division. The overwhelming defeat of the
proposed amendment (67 ayes to 1913 noes)
testified that the principle OF States rights
for which our fathers fought and died.
still lives In the hearts OF their daughters
AYE, and speaks, too, | mentally said
when casting my vote; and when our State
president Mrs. Stone, gave voice to the
numerical strength of Texas, in clear
eighty seven nays" my heart throbbed
with exultaton that we have a president
who has the intelligence and Judgment
TO thoroughly understand the principle Of
States rights the constancy and cour-
age to adhere to 1t and the discernment to
recognize when that principle is in jeop-
ardy.
The transfer cards also teach their
lesson OF one Of the principles maintained
by our fathers--yes, and by our forofathers
for we should ever hold before our mem
tai vision the judcially established fact
that the people OF the South were the
true representatives of the letter as we'll
as the spirit of the constitution of the
United States.
These transfer cards represent the prin-
ciple of local government. They are is
sued In conformity with new article
added to the bylaws of our State divi-
sion at the last State conversion. granting
chapters authority 10 Issue transfers to
members desiring to unite with other
chapters without extra charge.
The next subject in order is the grandeur
OF the Confsleracy. 1t being the Develop
ment OF the IDEAS suggested by the trans
fer card, and the application for chart.
Indeed, 10 it (the Confederacy) can be
traced all that is grand and uplifting in our
organization, ard upon the full realization
of this fact depends the perpetuat!on Of
our association in It's truth and purity.
Lei us strive to remember that We have
inherited inestimable treasure that has
no equivalent, for the Ccnfederacy was the
expression of a wealth OF century tried
prlaciple.
II wo fall to oren our souls and minds
To receive the pure oxygen OF those prin-
ciples our existence will be that of a plant
dwelling in-artifeial lisht--short lived
Miss Adelia A. Dunovant,
Historian Texas Division. United Daugi-
tiers OF the Confederacy.